Isuzu D-Max Diesel Problems

Any time a diesel engine produces black smoke, it’s doing so because too much fuel is entering the engine. The danger then is that the engine will start to run hot and that can cause all sorts of meltdowns. But combined with a knocking noise, black smoke can also signal serious internal engine damage.

The best advice is to not drive it any farther and get a diesel specialist to look at it. Diesel engines often make a knocking noise as a normal part of their operation, but if this noise has changed, then something’s wrong.

A bit of sweating around the various parts of an engine where one component joins another is definitely not uncommon and not really a problem provided it's not actually dropping oil on the ground (at which point it's a leak, not a sweat-mark). But really, an almost-new vehicle like yours shouldn't be doing this at all.

The rear-main seal on the crankshaft is a likely culprit and a common source of leaks from this area, but since it's a big job (gearbox removal) to do it, I can understand why a mechanic would declare it okay and not to worry. The problem with that is that the sweating is likely to become a leak sometime down the track, at which point you'll have to act.

The good news is that because you've flagged this problem with Isuzu while the vehicle is still under warranty, it's called a pre-existing condition and is covered by the factory warranty, even if that warranty has since expired. However, one would hope that Isuzu does the right thing in the meantime and changes the offending gasket or seal to fix the problem.

Be very wary, however, about Isuzu (or more likely the dealer) claiming the problem is being caused by the catch-can you have had fitted. A good quality catch-can, with a relief valve and correct installation should not cause a rear main seal to leak. As for changing the grade of oil you're using, I doubt that it would do much, but since the alternative is a slightly thicker oil, it might just make the difference you're chasing.

Every all-new MY21 Isuzu D-Max and select current versions of the Amarok and Ranger offer a 3500kg towing capacity maximum - namely all Amarok V6 autos and all Rangers EXCEPT the 4x2 XL Single Cab Chassis Low-Rider 2.2 Diesel at the bottom of the Ford range, and the 4x4 Raptor Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0L Diesel at the very top (they're both 2500kg).

Least torquey is the D-Max at 450Nm, followed by the Ranger (2.2L 4-cyl: 385Nm, 3.2L 5-cyl: 470Nm and 2.0L twin-turbo 4-cyl: 500Nm) and Amarok (550Nm to 580Nm), meaning the Amarok will probably be the least challenged towing a 2.8-tonne caravan. But all three should suffice.

Please note, however, that Gross Combined Mass (GCM) tallies means that there are other weight factors that need to be considered before safely towing a 2.8-tonne caravan, even with a 3500kg ute. These include things like the ute's payload, heavy bull bars, sports bars and side steps, canopies and even the number of people travelling inside. And of course, a fully-equipped and laden caravan can easily exceed the stated tare mass.

We hope this helps.   

I doubt that there will be a recall any time soon; it’s not the sort of safety issue that might trigger a recall. I wouldn’t be overly concerned about driving your D-Max from Perth to Brisbane, providing it has been serviced, the oil changed regularly, and it is in sound overall condition.

No, yours doesn’t have a DPF filter. The D-Max is generally reliable with no major issues to be concerned about.

What they were referring to is the automatic burn of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which collects carbon in the exhaust while you are driving along, and then periodically goes through a cleaning process in which the accumulated carbon is burnt off. The burn-off happens automatically without you knowing it’s happening, but it needs regular freeway type driving for it to happen. If your travels don’t involve any freeway travel then the burn-off might not happen and you have to take it to a dealer to have it done manually. From what you tell us about your driving I would say it doesn’t suit a diesel, and you would be better off buying a car with a small petrol engine.

It could be a fuel supply problem, so I would suggest checking the fuel pump.

It’s true that diesels are at their best on longer trips when they are fully warmed up and not accelerating and decelerating all the time. You can have problems with the DPF clogging up and not regenerating if the car isn’t getting up to speed for any length of time. You could take it for a run on a highway or freeway once a month or so to get fully up to working temperature, so the DPF burn-off car hopefully happen. If the burn-off doesn’t happen automatically you face the prospect of having to have the dealer do it manually, and that would involve a cost.

It's OK but the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 are better. The Mazda gets The Tick based on lower prices for better value.

I wouldn’t, but if it makes you feel more comfortable to have some extra protection then go ahead and do it.