- #190 of 207
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Re: Mystery Radiator Leak in My 02 Isuzu Axiom [walk_the_walk2]
by bertbcfm
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Sep 29, 2009 (6:39 am)
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Replying to: walk_the_walk2 (Sep 28, 2009 6:00 pm)
Well, the new clamp is no big deal. Just get one and put it on, however you may spend some time getting the old one off. Just don't damage the hose in the process. I'd do that and keep an eye on the coolant level for the next few weeks or month. If there is no or minimal coolant loss you should be OK. Loosing a little? Then keep a jug of 50% coolant around and top off the tank as it needs it, just don't over fill.
Regards
Bert
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- #191 of 207
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Re: Mystery Radiator Leak in My 02 Isuzu Axiom [bertbcfm]
by walk_the_walk2
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Oct 06, 2009 (1:42 pm)
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Replying to: bertbcfm (Sep 29, 2009 6:39 am)
More on my radiator leak problem. I had to add that Stop Leak stuff. This radiator seems to have seam cracks in it, that leak just a little. The leaks are occurring in the top (plastic) portion of the radiator, below the rubber flap, where it could not be found easily. The stop leak stuff SEEMS to have stopped it for now, but a radiator replacement is in my near future, I think.
The local Carquest store has a replacement radiator for $150, which is not bad, because the St. Charles Isuzu store shows the OEM one at $307. It doesn't look to be too hard to install - drain the radiator, remove the hoses, take off the shroud/fan guard, and remove a few bolts. An easy DIY task, really. But, I bet the local mechanics would charge me $600 to do this job.
What is most disappointing is that the radiator did not last even for 100K miles. Technically, it's probably still under warranty at 97K miles, but it's not worth my trouble to find out what the dealer, who is 50 miles away would do for me now.
Still, the fact that radiators are made out of black plastic and aluminum pieces is worrisome, and something I never noticed before, until mine starting leaking out of the blue.
So, it's good to keep an eye on your radiator fluid folks and if you smell hot anti-freeze that's the first clue there might be a problem.
Last, but not least, has anyone tried to do the timing belt change as a DIY project? Do you need special tools? Seems like if I have to tear down the whole front of the engine, I should do this at the same time? (Again, my mileage is 97K). Or, should I wait a while? I welcome your feedback on timing belt replacements for Axioms.
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- #192 of 207
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Re: Isuzu Axiom [coop15]
by ftrflexo
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Oct 24, 2009 (11:13 am)
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Replying to: coop15 (Jul 28, 2009 2:41 pm)
Hi I'm new at this, but here go's I have a 02 Axiom my rear suspension lower link on the drivers side just let go spun the car around at 35mph my son was driving nobody was hurt the car is in the shop and I have been told that other parts of the suspension are ready to fail bottom line is the vehicle is junk but I replaced the motor at 90,000 at a cost of $5000 and it has 110--120,000 on it now. I see some people are having good luck with their frames how about motors? because now it appears I have a Isuzu Planter if anyone is interested in a motor please get in touch I hope I've done this right thanks
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- #193 of 207
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Re: Isuzu Axiom [ftrflexo]
by bertbcfm
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Oct 24, 2009 (6:05 pm)
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Replying to: ftrflexo (Oct 24, 2009 11:13 am)
So, exactly what's the problem with the suspension parts? Are they worn out or corroded?
Maybe you could spend some time looking at car breakers/salvage parts. There is an amazing resource of salvage businesses and they are all connected on the web. You can find anything for a Axiom through their network. I'll do some looking through my old files and see if I can get some websites for you.
Regards
Bert
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- #194 of 207
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Re: Isuzu Axiom [bertbcfm]
by ftrflexo
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Oct 25, 2009 (7:17 am)
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Replying to: bertbcfm (Oct 24, 2009 6:05 pm)
Thanks for the reply, Corroded, the mounts at the frame of all the components at the rear, two mechanic's said there was no place to weld to and the rest of the frame was not far behind so I'll like to repair it but whether the time and effort would be worth it is the question. To look at the vehicle you would never know that it was dying of cancer, so I thought if someone needed a motor there is not many miles on mine, I did file a complaint with NHTSA but who knows when anything could get done? but because of this forum I was able to do so, and find out that Mr.Derek Rinehardt was looking into this problem, my only thing is other people should look at their vehicles this was a total surpise my daughter was due to drive this vehicle back to school at 60-70mph the same night it surely would have rolled.
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- #195 of 207
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Wow -
by coop15
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Oct 25, 2009 (7:38 am)
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Can't believe this is happening to someone else - our condolences...
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- #196 of 207
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Re: Wow - [coop15]
by ftrflexo
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Oct 25, 2009 (8:17 am)
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Replying to: coop15 (Oct 25, 2009 7:38 am)
Thanks, I am very surprised that one or more of these vehicles has not hurt or killed someone yet people please check your frames. it only takes minutes
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- #197 of 207
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Re: Addendum to Mystery Radiator Leak in My 02 Isuzu Axiom [walk_the_walk2]
by walk_the_walk2
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Oct 25, 2009 (12:25 pm)
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Replying to: walk_the_walk2 (Oct 06, 2009 1:42 pm)
The Bar's Stop Leak did not work and the radiator leak continued to worsen, so I bought an aftermarket radiator at a local auto parts store, 2 new hoses, and 4 screw-style hose clamps. All total parts were < $220 with the antifreeze. Took my wife and I almost 6 hours (I guess we are either too careful or too pokey) to swap out the radiator, but it was not that difficult, just tedious and grimey. New radiator has solved the problem, so beware of these cheapo Nipponese plastic-aluminum radiators, they are basically junk and mine lasted only 97K miles.
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- #198 of 207
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Re: Isuzu Axiom [ftrflexo]
by bertbcfm
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Oct 26, 2009 (7:46 am)
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Replying to: ftrflexo (Oct 25, 2009 7:17 am)
Well, never mind about the salvage parts. Sounds beyond repair. I wonder what's going on? My 2002 Axiom looks fine underneath here in salty Wisconsin. Roads are really well salted here all winter so I don't know why my Axiom seems OK with 120,000 miles on it. Any conjectures?
Regards
Bert
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- #199 of 207
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Re: Isuzu Axiom [bertbcfm]
by ftrflexo
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Oct 26, 2009 (1:50 pm)
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Replying to: bertbcfm (Oct 26, 2009 7:46 am)
This vehicle came to me from NY at 50,000miles according to the title, reading some of these posts some people are having good luck and others not, well good luck with yours I have inquired yesterday about what Isuzu says. I'm sure it will fall on deaf ears, I will let you know how I make out Thanks
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