Servicing

ISUZU recommended servicing schedule and fluids for the Isuzu Piazza Turbo

This service schedule is also available as a printable PDF

I = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary

A = Adjust

R = Replace or change

T = Tighten to specified torque

L = Lubricate

SERVICE INTERVAL x1000 mls 6   12 18 24  30 36 42  48 54 60
Idling speed  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Air cleaner element        R        R    
Engine oil  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R
Oil leakage and contamination  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Oil filter  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R
Fuel leakage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Valve clearances (cold)    A    A    A    A    A
Fuel filter        R        R    
Fuel tank    I    I    I    I    I
Spark plugs    R    R    R    R    R
Ignition timing    I    I    I    I    I
Cooling system for water leakage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Drive belts for damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Exhaust pipes and mountinggs    I    I    I    I    I
Fuel hoses  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Radiator coolant    R    R    R    R    R
Timing belt                    R
Clutch fluid    I    I    I    I    I
Clutch function  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Clutch pedal    L    L    L    L    L
Manual transmission oil        R        R    
Automatic transmission fluid        I        I    
Gearbox oil leakage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I I   I  I
Gear control mechanism for looseness    I    I    I    I    I
Loose propeller shaft connections  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Universal joints and splines for wear    I    I    I    I    I
Differential gear oil        R        R    
Differential oil leakage  I I   I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Axle shafts for distortion or damage    I    I    I    I    I
Axle case for distortion or damage    I    I    I    I    I
Steering system for looseness or damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Power steering system for oil leakage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Fittings & knuckles for looseness/damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Steering function  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Wheel alignment    I    I    I    I    I
Power steering rubber hoses                R    
Power steering fluid    I    I    I    I    I
Brake fluid    I    I    I    I    I
Brake pedal    L    L    L    L    L
Brake system for fluid leakage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Disc brake pads and discs for wear/damage    I    I    I    I    I
Brake pipes and hoses  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Brake function  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Parking brake linings and drums    I    I    I    I    I
Parking brake linkage  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L
Parking brake cables for looseness/damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Ratchet for wear or damage    I    I    I    I    I
Suspension ball joint rubber boots  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Road springs for damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Suspension mounts for looseness/damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Shock absorbers for oil leakage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Shock absorber mounts for looseness  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Rubber bushes for wear or damage  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Out of balance coil spring action    I    I    I    I    I
Wheel nuts  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T
Tyres and wheels for damage and wear  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Hub bearing grease        R        R    
Front and rear hub bearings for looseness  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I
Tyre rotation  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R  R
Under body maintenance    I    I    I    I    I
Hood latch and hood hinges  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L
Door hinges and latch  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L
Hatch gate hinges and latch  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L  L

General Information

COMPRESSION RATIO 7.9:1
VALVE CLEARANCE (cold) – INTAKE 0.15mm
VALVE CLEARANCE (cold) – EXHAUST 0.25mm
IGNITION TIMING – BTDC degree/rpm 12°/900
FIRING ORDER 1-3-4-2
SPARK PLUG GAP 0.75mm
CLUTCH PEDAL FREE PLAY 11-17mm
STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY 10mm
WHEEL ALIGNMENT – TOE-IN 0-3mm
WHEEL ALIGNMENT – CAMBER -0° 30′ to 0° 30′
WHEEL ALIGNMENT – CASTER 3° 45′ to 5° 15′
WHEEL ALIGNMENT – KINGPIN INCLINATION (SAI) 8°
BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY 6-10mm
HANDBRAKE LEVER TRAVEL (notches) 11-13

 

Fluids

Engine Oil – ISUZU recommend a 10W/30 NON-synthetic oil for use in the Piazza although a 10W/40 works just as well. Oil technology has advanced since the Piazza was developed and semi-synthetic oils are now about the best product to use. FULLY synthetic oils should be avoided, especially those with a viscosity rating starting 5W or 0W as they are far too thin to provide adequate protection upon startup. REMEMBER – when the 4ZC1 engine was designed, such oils did not exist, therefore the lubrication system was specified for thicker lubricants.

Manual Transmission Oil – ISUZU recommend using 10W/30 ENGINE oil in the 5-speed manual transmission, to be changed at 24,000 mile intervals. Many people are oblivious to this, hence Piazzas tend to suffer from transmission whine. 10W/40 engine oil can also be used, as can additives such as Slick 50 and Molyslip.

Automatic Transmission Oil – ISUZU recommend DEXRON II automatic transmission fluid. It is acceptable to use DEXRON III where DEXRON II is not available but it is NOT acceptable to use ATF-G Borg Warner specified fluid as the shear properties are very different and transmission damage is possible.

Rear Axle Oil – ISUZU recommend EP80W/90 (GL-5) hypoid gear oil for non-Limited Slip Differential equipped cars (some Lotus manuals and ALL automatics – on manual cars check for the code “G80” on the options plate riveted to the firewall). For manual cars equipped with a Limited Slip Differential, these can be serviced using Castrol Hypoy LS.

Brake & Clutch Fluid – ISUZU recommend DoT3 standard brake & clutch fluid. It is permissible to use DoT4 and DoT5.1 also, but the different types should ideally not be mixed. THE USE OF SILICONE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THESE CARS.

Coolant/Antifreeze – ISUZU recommend using a 50/50 mix of good quality Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze and deionised/soft water, to be drained and replaced every 12,000 miles. This helps keep the cooling system in top condition and can help avoid the cooling problems the Piazza is known for.

Power Steering Fluid – DEXRON II or DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid.