I just got my 98 Rodeo LS 4x4 5spd.

Whenever I rev up to around 3500rpms, i'll hear a whining sound. Any clues what this is from? When I leave it in neutral, I wont get the sound. This sound really concerns me. I had to drive from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz, all w/ this sound. I avged 170 miles/12 gal or 14mpg. I'm one of those fortunate ones to have a fual guage that isn't accurate either.

I also pushed the 4x4 button and the thing shifted into 4wd, but when I tried to disengage it, the indicator light flashed and wouldn't disengage. Finally after driving 4-5 miles to dinner, I made a u-turn and it disengaged. Is this normal?

your 4x4 maybe engaged (I'm not sure on how to check if it is).

You could have a bad intake manafold gasket.

couple Ideas on lower MPG:

http://www.geocities.com/endre_rl/isuzufaq.htm#faq8

I'm not sure if its the 4WD or not. I'm inclined to say it isn't since there's still plentyof power to go fast, and I can turn easily.

What's a good way to tell if its a bad Intake manifold gasket? I had my engine compression checked by a AAA mechanic. Out of 180 points(or whatever it means), i scored a 175 or so.

I don't know about the whining, but the 4WD thing is normal, I also have a 98 and the same thing occurs when I go to 4WD, I have to make a couple of tight turns to get it to completely disengage. But I make the turns and it disengages and stops blinking. Not sure why this happens I have just come to expect it. Someone also suggested checking your tire diameter to ensure they are all the same, as I have learned this is very import with these 4WD systems.

guys to disengage 4x4 you need to put the vehicle in reverse and back up about ten to twelve feet continue what you are doing and it will cost a lot of money later on

Ok so if i don't fix this gasket soo, will it have any long term effects?

guys to disengage 4x4 you need to put the vehicle in reverse and back up about ten to twelve feet continue what you are doing and it will cost a lot of money later on

Please explain, I thought these were supposed to be shift on the fly systems. I didn't think it was like with manual hubs that you had to backup in order to disengage it.

You have to back up to disengage auto locking hubs (up to 1997). No need to back up with the drive flange setup on 1998+

Joel

Thanks. That is what I thought. Both of the Rodeos discussed in this thread are 98's. I was worried there for a minute.