Grand Vitara problems

Post by **Mudboy** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:42 pm

I have heard that the 2.5lt GV has engine problems can anyone shed some light on this and is there anything that can be done to provent this

Website · Post by **murcod** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:43 pm

Are you talking about the timing chain tensioner problems? That's about the only common problem I've heard of.

Use the correct grade oil and change it often.

Post by **scooby_74** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:23 pm

All the V6 engines have t/chain noise problems if the oil not regulary changed genuine oil filters go along way aswell, the aftermarket filters dont flow aswell as the genuine.

Post by **Toecutta** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:08 am

The chain is the only thing I have ever heard, it is a common problem but not all of them get it. Just look after it with oil changes as said and all should be fine.

Post by **fordy1** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:05 am

do you have a gv or are you looking to drop one in your sierra??

Post by **Mudboy** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:54 pm

allready got one had it since new, and has timing chain noise, used to only use mobile 1 and change oil every 10,000 but still ended up with the noise, is it easy to change ????

Post by **fordy1** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:16 pm

i changed to castrol magnatec and the problem is gone!!!

Website · Post by **murcod** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:34 pm

Mudboy wrote:allready got one had it since new, and has timing chain noise, used to only use mobile 1 and change oil every 10,000 but still ended up with the noise, is it easy to change ????

What viscosity Mobil 1 - the version in the silver container (ie. 5W50)? It would be too thick and might be the source of your problem.

My XL-7 handbook specifies 5W30 up to 30 degrees Celcius and 10W40 up to high 30's (but doesn't recommend anything for higher temps???) I run 5W40 purely because it can get well over 40 here in Adelaide in summer. It also says "it is highly recommended to run 5W30 for temps above -20C".

Post by **senergy** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:35 pm

Fordy1, what castrol magnatec did you use? 10w40?
How noisey was it before? constant?

When I bought my GV it was quiet then after the first oil change it got real noisey. I used Castrol Edge 5w30.
Next I tried Shell helix 10w30 made it a bit quieter.
Next I tried Penzoil 10w30 ( I think, Bit of a mental blank atm)
Ive considered getting the timing chain tensioner changed (approx $1200) but I would love not to ..

Post by **fordy1** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:19 am

the noise was constant and slowly got louder and louder untill it was loud enough to hear over the radio while driving and i thought i was in deep trouble with it, i dropped in the magnatec and within an hour she was quite, im unsure if it was 5 or 10/40 but i do remember that i had no choice as all the magnatec on the shelf were the same

hope this helps and you dont have to change anything.

if you have had it since new you might be able to get the dealer to fix as earlier on the chain was replaced under warrenty ( models before 03 )

Post by **senergy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:26 pm

sounds like yours was a lot noiser then mine is. I'll try magnatec next oil change. fingers crossed.
I can live with the noise but there is no chance of selling it like it is.

Post by **senergy** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:05 am

Thanks for the tip fordy1. I put Castrol Magnatec 10e40 in 2 days ago. still noisey for the first 30ish seconds but then its all quiet!! I can hear the tappets now.
You just saved me $1200+, which will be put to a motorbike instead.

Post by **fordy1** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:19 am

woohooo!!!!!

spend it on the GV anyway

Website · Post by **murcod** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:17 pm

Wow! Sounds like the Suzi V6's really like the Magnatec?! BTW I remember being told by one of the local Suzi dealer mechanics that they used Magnatec when servicing them.

Perhaps we could start a list of oils that they don't like?

Post by **senergy** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:32 pm

i think it would be easier to make a list of what oils they like for Australian climate.
1. Castrol Magnatec.
that is all

Murcod, have you decided what you are doing with your suspension

Website · Post by **murcod** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:48 pm

2. I'm using Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 and aren't having any noise issues

Next oil change I'll be using Motul 8100 Excess 5W40 (mainly because I'm changing our other vehicles over to it and it's easier than buying multiple different brand oils.)

Suspension- I bought Koni "Heavy Track" adjustable shocks in January- they've totally transformed the handling

. I decided I didn't really need the lift (and associated issues that seem to occur on the XL-7's.)

Now I just need to get rid of these rubbish Bridgestone 687 OEM tyres....

It will be easier to justify to the wife retiring them early once (if?) we get any rain here in Adelaide. 225/70R16 Pirelli A/T's are the currently my favoured replacement.

Post by **senergy** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:12 am

bringing this post back from the dead..

My GV developed an oil leak from the front of the sump on the way down to a weekend away at Kangaroo Valley (great way to start a trip).. so I dropped it into the mechanics and while its being fixed for the leak the Timing chain is being seen to.
I mentioned before that Castrol Magnatec fixed the rattle, well it didn't, the rattle came back.

Very rough estimate is $1000+ depending on condition of chain etc..
I'll post up how much it costs when I get the bill...

Lucky I used the money I saved before to buy a bike otherwise I would be car less for a week.

On a good note, I finally managed to put the Cooper STT's and OME suspension to test in some Kangaroo Valley bog, AWESOME TYRES!

Website · Post by **murcod** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:46 pm

That's bad news, mine is still going well on the Helix Ultra 5W40. I haven't changed the oil since the last post, but will be going to Motul Turbolight 10W40 next change. IMHO it doesn't get cold enough in Adelaide to warrant a 5W oil.

FYI on another forum it was mentioned that some guy was selling timing chains and tensioners to suit V6 GV's on Ebay.com . I'm not sure how the prices would compare to obtaining them locally?

Post by **joeblow** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:11 pm

every service- nulon engine oil flush
castrol magnatec or synthetic
1 litre of moreys engine oil stabiliser.

Post by **senergy** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:57 pm

Hopefully final update,
Just picked the car up from the mechanics. (took 3 weeks, 1 week to get the parts from Japan and 2 weeks because I said take your time if it makes it cheaper)
The chain that was rattling was not the main one in the Technical bulletin although he did replace the tensioner anyway. It was the the drivers side smaller chain. I went and saw how loose it was compared to the other one, I could even hear the rattle.
So in went a new chain, tensioner and Guide for the smaller drivers side bank, new tensioner No.1 for main chain, lower pully seal.
A new water pump was put in as well for good measure.

Total: $1270

Mechanic did a good job and I think he looked after me considering the amount of work that was involved.
I know I could have done it myself (I've rebuilt many engines in my previous life) but living in a unit in the city makes these jobs impossible.

So finally I'm happy with car!

Website · Post by **murcod** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:51 pm

On Suzuki Forums a few people have noted the chain that drives the oil pump (?) can be very loose- would that be the same chain?

How's it sound now? Another problem the Yanks seem to get is valve train noise from the hydraulic adjusters not filling with oil properly. A tech bulletin posted mentioned an extended highway drive at high RPM as a fix!? It seems it might pay to give them a decent rev when driving.

A good excuse to show Commodore drivers their V6's aren't so fast off the lights!

Post by **senergy** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:23 am

It wasn't the oil pump chain, its the RH bank chain as shown in this picture

Finally it sounds quiet.

Website · Post by **murcod** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:12 pm

So what are there - four separate chains going by the picture?

Post by **senergy** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:25 pm

yes, you have the right bank, left bank, main and the bottom one is the oil pump.

Post by **ian scholfield** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:48 pm

Gidday ppl Cricky For Fat snakes Mate i too am another V6 Grand vitara Victum yup start with a clicking engain noise from tha front took to my mates workshop weeks later and after a 6 hr engine strip down replaced Timing chain and guids and oil pump & chain and water pump and bottom water hose do it while all is apart MY machanic says OMG for Fatsnakes mate wat a big job wat a shit design engine Even if while it runs gose fully sik as a road car 160 000 throw them away and get a new 4bee so hate the alloy front diff housing too went free wheeling hubs after a new diff seal Wat a girls 4bee Rather my Nissan Patrol Diesel any day give tha ZOOK to tha misses mate is only gud for parkin in shopping malls Sorry i ever did purchars this Zook 4 fatsnakes now im broke

Post by **GRPABT1** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:09 pm

ian scholfield wrote:Gidday ppl Cricky For Fat snakes Mate i too am another V6 Grand vitara Victum yup start with a clicking engain noise from tha front took to my mates workshop weeks later and after a 6 hr engine strip down replaced Timing chain and guids and oil pump & chain and water pump and bottom water hose do it while all is apart MY machanic says OMG for Fatsnakes mate wat a big job wat a shit design engine Even if while it runs gose fully sik as a road car 160 000 throw them away and get a new 4bee so hate the alloy front diff housing too went free wheeling hubs after a new diff seal Wat a girls 4bee Rather my Nissan Patrol Diesel any day give tha ZOOK to tha misses mate is only gud for parkin in shopping malls Sorry i ever did purchars this Zook 4 fatsnakes now im broke

Fo shizzle ma nizzle

Post by **joeblow** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:59 pm

for starters, lay off the crack pipe, than tell your mechanic he is a tool because the rattle can be solved with the correct oil change procedure, they are a great motor WHEN they have the right oil changes done and if you want the thing to do what a patrol does buy a patrol. don't blame the vehicle for what it can and can't do, blame the person who purchased it.

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:16 pm

ian scholfield wrote:Gidday ppl Cricky For Fat snakes Mate i too am another V6 Grand vitara Victum yup start with a clicking engain noise from tha front took to my mates workshop weeks later and after a 6 hr engine strip down replaced Timing chain and guids and oil pump & chain and water pump and bottom water hose do it while all is apart MY machanic says OMG for Fatsnakes mate wat a big job wat a shit design engine Even if while it runs gose fully sik as a road car 160 000 throw them away and get a new 4bee so hate the alloy front diff housing too went free wheeling hubs after a new diff seal Wat a girls 4bee Rather my Nissan Patrol Diesel any day give tha ZOOK to tha misses mate is only gud for parkin in shopping malls Sorry i ever did purchars this Zook 4 fatsnakes now im broke

Post of the week!

Thanks for adding useful tech to this thread. Oh, and just form me to you -

,,,,,,,,.................:::::;;;;;;;;;;;;

Feel free to use some of these in future.

Steve.

Post by **ian scholfield** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:22 pm

4 fat snakes Joeblow Fuzz head /dickhead cant u read i already do got a Patrol tha peanut zookie is 4 tha misses pile of crap its is spent more time in tha workshops then in my Garage tha zookie only can GO quater tha off road places My Diesel Troll Gose And i dont do Drugs either U space cadet Fuzz Nut lol

Post by **foolsp33d** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:36 pm

ian scholfield wrote: 4 fat snakes Joeblow Fuzz head /dickhead cant u read i already do got a Patrol tha peanut zookie is 4 tha misses pile of crap its is spent more time in tha workshops then in my Garage tha zookie only can GO quater tha off road places My Diesel Troll Gose And i dont do Drugs either U space cadet Fuzz Nut lol

.... you sir are a

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