Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 Searches :(

[abraxix]

Hey all:
Long-time member not allot of posting though do allot more reading.

Have looked through the vitara bible when I owned my X-90.. now I’m going through a family car and getting an XL-7

The forum search doesn't like me using my search words eg: XL-7, XL-7 problems, XL-7 issues.
Just wandering can someone point me in the right direction?? I’m looking at a 2003 - second generation!
my family owned the first generation with the stupid timing chain ticking fault that came with the 2.7L V6's however I believe the second generation they fixed this...

so can any one point me in a good direction to find a what to look out for / problems to check with the XL-7 I know the obvious ones for most cars but anything specific you can think of I’d really really appreciate it...

[xl76]

I have a 2004 . issues so far have only been the
stupid factor CD stacker
Rear axel bearings
Radiator ( due to Rockingham Suzuki using the Wrong fluid )
Great car goes anywhere very happy

[SCANAS]

........ :-(

[SCANAS]

The timing chain ticking is on all 2.7s mainly due to extended periods without an oil change.

Other than that, standard suspension is soft as, weak housing on the front diff ( get a bash plate ) and hubs can be a pain too, check out for paint repairs or fading paint.

And they are otherwise a great car.

[abraxix]

2004 - Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 Limited
Pearl White !!!
2.7L - V6 / 188,000k's
5 Speed Automatic
Driving Lights / Fog Lights installed in front bumper!
Grey Leather Interior - Wood Grain Trim - Has a SUN ROOF
JVC Head Unit - which will drive / power our phones from USB socket + AUX port included also!
5 - that's right I checked 5 limited edition alloy rims (yippee)

that's what we bought! -- seriously so happy with the car have owned this baby for 4 days and had our mechanic check and test and look over everything brilliant car so far -- love it

[built4thrashing]

To reduce the timing chain / lifter noise make sure you use the correct grade of oil and a genuine Suzuki oil filter.........

My GV was noisy until I started using the factory filter. Nice and quiet now.

[murcod]

To reduce the timing chain / lifter noise make sure you use the correct grade of oil and a genuine Suzuki oil filter.........

My GV was noisy until I started using the factory filter. Nice and quiet now.

Interesting to hear that. I might have to go visit the dealer and buy one.... I found Ryco are shocking for noise (and you get two differing filter constructions under the same part number.) I've been using K&N and they seem good, but there's still some noise.

As far as problems go, we've had had our 2004 XL-7 Limited 5spd auto for five years now- bought it just out of warranty. The central locking button on the drivers door panel died - due to the poor (flimsy) design of the original microswitch. I did a dodgy mod to the circuit board and that's been working fine for a couple of years. The power locking motor on one of the doors also stopped working- the small motor inside had dirty / worn brushes. The factory shocks are useless- ours were replaced with Koni's at 49000km and they're fantastic. The Bridgestone D687 tyres (from the factory) are useless- no grip in the wet, poor handling and poor ride. We've had Cooper Sports (no longer made), great handling but still a bit rough riding. Currently we've got Yokohama Geolander A/T-S G012- they're excellent and give a decent quiet ride and grip well on wet/ dry bitumen (they're handy to have when we occasionally venture off road too.) The factory head unit eventually died and was replaced with a JVC double DIN unit- that required some careful cutting of the fascia as the fascia opening isn't the proper double DIN size. I've also fitted twin electric thermofans in place of the single engine driven fan. It goes through brakes a lot - around 50000km per set of pads seems to be the average. Steer clear of DBA rotors as they warped very quickly :( , we're currently running RDA slotted rotors and QFM brake pads. They seem like a good combo.

Fuel economy sucks - around 14l/100km in the city. However, it certainly gets along alright when required.

Abraxix, I'm sure you'll love yours - it's an exact "carbon copy" of ours.

The rear seats have been removed and that gives a huge increase in luggage capacity.

It's so practical that we'll probably keep it for a long time. I keep looking around at possible replacements, but they're all lacking in one area or another.