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Comments
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
Thanks in advanced
Tony
chris
Thanks
Tony
I am on my second tracker, 1998 2door 1.6 16valve 2wd. And like most of you, I absolutely love it. My first was a 1991 model when I was a teenager.
A little background on me, currently a Volkswagen master technician, former mitsubishi master technican, former Hyundai master technician. but nooooo chevy or suzuki. I love this little truck due to its simplicity, and the fact that I do not have to turn wrenches much on it on my spare time!
my little tracker just crossed the 60k barrier, and I just installed a timing belt, timing belt tensioner roller, drive belts,and adjusted the valves. other maitnenance includes coolant change, brake fluid flush, plugs, air filter, fuel filter, and brake service (front).
I am using a similar maitenance schedule that VW uses to keep their 2nd and 3rd generation Golf's running properly , and it appears to be working well.
I hope to make my way into this little community, and be a contributing member. I do not know all the little quirks of this tracker yet, but hope to gain some knowledge here, and of course I will reciprocate with some of my knowledge that can be applied here
regards,
Brian
tidester, host
Now to respond to the previous post, the Chevrolet Tracker and the Suzuki Grand Vitara are the same vehicle. There are small differences in interior pieces and exterior (grill)but mechanically they are identical. They were manufactured at the same plant in Canada in a joint venture between Suzuki and GM. It is true that many GM dealers don't know their way around a Tracker too well and many Tracker owners take their vehicles to a Suzuki dealer. They share the same engine and transmissions, electrical, 4WD systems, brakes, shocks, etc... I love my Tracker, it takes me everywhere I want to go, just not in a hurry! It's easy to work on yourself for normal maintenance. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another one.
It's a little blurry and big but the Tracker is all Suzuki.
tidester, host
Last time I got my oil changed, they said the cap for the brake fluid was missing. Probably happened the last time I got the oil changed...who knows. Point is, I went to an autoparts store. He said it's a Chevy part and has to be ordered through them. I didn't want to order from our SLIMY Chevy dealer so I said I'd pay extra if he got it.
With the markup at O'Reilly's Autoparts the cap was STILL cheaper than if I'd gone to the Slimer's dealership. But it was still 50 something dollars. I should have checked junkyards first but sheese.
:P
Anyway I was up there at the time CAMI was giving their tour and I went along and saw the entire operation. The Tracker and Vitara/Grand Vitara are the same vehicle, built with the same parts by the same people. They actually have what they call a change over line, which they take either a Chevy or Suzuki and change it over to the other if need be to fill dealer orders.
They change grills, wheels, seats, badges etc, which takes about 10 minutes, and the vehicle is shipped as the other. Anyway the original poster is trying to force the idea that Japenese is better then american, and honestly some are and some arent. But saying the Tracker isnt the same as the Suzuki is incorrect. By the way the same is true for the Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute, as well as a host of cars form Chrysler and Mitsubishi.
chris
The only deficiency that the current owner noted was a small leak on the oil pan gasket.
Here's my questions:
How hard is it to seal up the oil pan?
Does this 1.6L engine have a timing belt or a chain? Any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed (if it has a belt)?
Anyone care to comment about the pros and cons of this vehicle? (It's just going to be a run-around, beater car. I will occasionally take it out into the logging roads in the Sierras, but I'm not going to abuse it)
So, is $3500 to $3900 a fair price?
Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Thanks
Neil
I just rececntly ran into the same oil pan problem. Mine is a 2000 2.0L and I also found out that in order to change the pan gasket the engine needs to be pulled (or lifted) due to the 4 wheel drive components being mounted under it. The Service rate book shows 4.5 hours. I hope the 1.6L is different but I would check into it before purchase. If you or anyone has an alternative remedy please post it. So far a $10 drip pan is the solution.
Hey, nochevy, coo-coo ~ coo-coo!
chris
1st is the oil leak!! The worst of it seems to be coming from (what I think is) the crank position sensor. It has a steady drip when the engine is running. I am hoping it just needs an "O" ring. The complete sensor is about 85 bucks!!
2nd is a noise in the rear that follows the speed of the vehicle. I am hoping that new tires eliminate the noise The left rear tire is cupped pretty bad, so maybe thats the noise I hear. If not the tire, the rear end is the next thing to consider. I hope this isn't a :lemon:
in Middlesex County
Involving front impact
It hit another motor vehicle
Front area primarily damaged
Vehicle towed"
Then says for a few days later .. "Frame inspection performed
after an accident or other incident
Frame damage reported"
When I looked at the car I did not know to look for this (shoulda checked Carfax before I drove so far to go see it lol..) but we did look at the engine and bumpers and the front bumper looked fine and the grille didn't look 'new' or replaced. My guess is the bumper was replaced. If the grille was, they did a pretty good job.
Not sure why the vehicle would have had to get towed if it was not totaled. It has a clean title so it wasn't totaled. It hasn't crossed state lines either (registration wise).
My boyfriend's 96 Escort was in a small accident and had frame damage and drives fine now. All he did was hit somebody with the front right corner of his bumper and it screwed up the lights and light housing and the bumper.
I don't know if I want the car now though since I don't know alot about the accident it was in. It has only been driven 15,000 miles since the accident according to Carfax. Any suggestions or advice?
I felt that the extreme heat and unbearable humidity here is probably the cause. I'm a photographer for a newspaper and drive alot....so I think my Tracker just gets sick of being outside all day. I know I do.
Have a friend who knows something about cars check the idle. It may just have to have a small adjustment. It's not a big deal, hopefully. Good luck.