Symptoms
Oil level dropping between changes, blue smoke, fouled plugs and, in the worst NHTSA reports, an engine that runs dry and seizes without the oil light coming on.
The fix, step by step
- Check the dipstick at every fuel fill until you know the consumption rate, and top up with the correct grade.
- A Bob Is The Oil Guy owner recommends the specified 10W-30 and says regular changes help.
- Replace the PCV valve: Edmunds owners say it sits under the plastic intake cover and is cheap.
- If consumption keeps rising, a compression and leak-down test will show stuck rings.
- The permanent cure is a rebuild that addresses the pistons' oil control, and Planet Isuzoo has threads on doing it during a rebuild.
Tools & part numbers
- Funnel
- spare quart of oil
- socket set for the intake cover
- compression and leak-down tester.
Where to buy the parts
Engine oil, 1998 Trooper 3.5RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Oil filterRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Re-ring kit (rebuild)RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Valve stem seals (rebuild)RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Isuzu Trooper (second generation) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.