1995 Isuzu Rodeo from North America - Comments

Timing belt tensioner went bad.

Driver's seat beginning to wear.

I have looked at all the reviews of the 1995 rodeos and I have noticed lots of people talking about the lifter and how the rodeo ticks/knocks, and mine isn't too bad about that. However, the other day on my way home from work, it started knocking really loudly, and I took it to a mechanic friend of mine and he said a rod was hitting my oil pan, I needed a new engine. Took it into a garage and got the same thing. The noise quit after I got up to about 2500 RPMs, though. I saw someone on here with the exact same problem and he said to have my engine flushed and everything would be OK--not true. I ended up finding out finally that it was my timing belt tensioner, and it had come loose and was hitting something, so the man I bought it from had that replaced and the timing belt. No problems since, and no prior problems other than the regular maintenance.

I had the same exact problem with my rodeo. I have taken it to no less than 3 qualified mechanics and have gotten 3 different possible problems. thanks to forums like this I was personally able to figure out that the tensioner was bad (none of the mechanics told me this by the way) Although the parts are slightly expensive it is much cheaper the an entire new engine. I was able to replace all the pulleys and the tensioner for about 300.00. It took me about 6 hours total once I got a book that described the process. If your Rodeo suddenly starts making a knocking sound the goes away at about 2000 rpms I definitely suggest taking a look at the timing belt tensioner.

I'm having a problem with my 95 Rodeo V-6. The belt tensioner and/or the idler went bad causing it to knock just a little. The car would crank and run... just sounded funny. Bought timing belt kit from napa (belt and tensioner) put it on and aligned the marks correctly (I hope) but now the engine will not start. It winds very fast like there is no compression. Will have to check compression tonight and see if the timing marks got off somehow. Anyone have any ideas?

95 Rodeo 3.2 V6. Almost 270,000 miles and runs great. My Rodeo had the same knocking problems 30000 miles after I had PM work done and the belt/tensioner changed. Mechs couldn't figure it out. It knocked below 3000 RPMs. My tensioner failed. I had it replaced again. Also, the A/C compressor failed at about 200K on a very hot day stuck in traffic. I changed the starter and alternator at around 200K also.

I may be replacing the clutch slave cylinder shortly. The clutch is getting a little soft.

Just keep up the PM work, change the fluids regularly and it should treat you well. It's a great vehicle.