2001 ISUZU TROOPER — ALMOST NEW TRANSMISSION, Engine Needs Work

2001 ISUZU TROOPER $1400 Or Best Offer 150. 00 miles All offers considered This is a bargain for the right person willing to do some engine work! A new $4500 transmission was professionally installed a year ago. It also has a new exhaust. alternator and newer tires. It runs o. k. . but. it is overheating and a mechanic says it may need a head gasket. THE GOOD This is an original-owner car. very clean inside and out. no smoking or pets. The body is in great shape with just a couple of small rust spots. It has never been wrecked. Large. well-respected transmission shop installed a new remanufactured transmission last March. A new exhaust system was put on last fall. New alternator in December 2014. Newer Goodyear Wrangler tires. New Curt brand trailer hitch installed Summer 2014. This was used for a bike rack. The vehicle has never been used for towing. The A/C works. Power windows. locks. etc. all work. Alloy wheels. THE BAD Rust spots on doorsill and by rear window. Tape deck not working THE UGLY Vehicle has no heat inside and the engine is overheating. Based on a chemical test of the antifreeze shwoing emissions contamination. a mechanic said it has a bad head gasket. which I can't afford. To me. it seems more like a bad thermostat or water pump problem. which are difficult to change on this vehicle. At this point. no repairs have been done. So. the exact problem is not certain. I bought a new water pump but did not install it because the job is too complex. I will include the water pump in the purchase along with a DVD containing a PDF of the official Isuzu shop repair manual. The vehicle runs and can be driven short distances before overheating. But. if you live very far away. it will need towed. Also. the 4WD is not engaging. It worked perfectly before the transmission was replaced. But. when we tried it this winter. there was a blinking light on the dashboard and it did not engage. I haven't had time to look into the problem. But. I wonder if an electrical connector or something wasn't hooked up right or broken when the transmission was replaced. So. if you aren't intimidated by engine work. this Isuzu Trooper has a very solid body and a brand new transmission!