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The second time this happened, the dash lights, radio light and headlights dimmed then went black. All the power went out in the matter of 1 to 2 minutes. The emergency flashers worked for about 4-5 minutes then went out. The ignition would not do anything, no power what so ever when the key was moved to the start position. The tow truck had to hook it up to the battery to move transmission from park into neutral. The vehicle did not start even after 4 hours of sitting. The Dealership checked the alternator and battery both checked good and scanned for problems it came back with no error codes, and could not duplicate the problem. Said they did not know what else to do.
Anyone seen this one?
i figured id try the cheaper one first, am saving up for a new cat converter, will post results, or lack there of.
I learned NOT to take it anywhere but the dealership because of qualifying for the special coverage.
I took a chance on calling the dealership where i bought car originally and still go to and this on a Sat. I explain all the info I learned here and they said to have it towed in ASAP to see what it is. my service guy was aware of the 'crossmember failure corrosion' Special Coverage' for my car but did not know if that was my problem.
I had visions of a costly repair as my Tracker was towed away.
By three o'clock I got a call From him and he told me the steering belt was replaced and there was a hole in the crossmember that was replaced.
They had my car ready at four o'clock and it was about $150. Including the towing.
Thank you all for your info!! It gave me so much to be better prepared for this issue and to get my car towed, serviced and ready in an afternoon on a holiday weekend was amazing!
So, I'd say around 60,000 miles try to find someone who will replace them even though no one can find any information on when they should be replaced. 7. You are NOT alone. I found a lot of posts of people who had their timing chains break on Chevy Tracker and chewed up their engine. Some made it all the way to 120,000 miles. But most were between 60,000 and 100,000. All were complaining that nobody had a clue when they should be checked/replaced because they are listed as a non-maintenance item so no mechanics ever suggested it was "time". Even after your engine blows mechanics are disinterested in timing chain investigation to see WHY it blew because of this sad fact, and it may be hard to get anyone to replace it since they will feel disreputable for replacing something that is not supposed to need replacement. Good luck to you. I hope you got a good deal on a replacement engine.
Some parts are there but they tooled up for the Trackers differently and although the truck looks the same some of the parts are not. Thing is I don't know what parts are inter-changeable. I am thinking I may need to take front end suspension parts.
Any ideas on which other parts I should take with me. The truck has 215,500 K's and has been pretty much worry free with only routine maintainence.
Thanks for any ideas you may have
eb
Thanks for any help
EB
OK so has anyone replaced the timing chains on a 2001 Tracker knowing they could go between 60,000 and 150,000 miles? If so what is the cost and how difficult is it?
Any idea's?????
Can't get the lower pully bolt out, but as soon as I can get that out I can tell you about the rest of it......LOL
and sling bracket that fits on top. A great deal indeed. It took me 8 hours to complete. Trying to get both cam sprockets in place is a bear. I sugest that if you attempt this yourself take lots of photos and label every bolt and nut.
You may have seen my eariler posts when my timing chain broke on mine at 120,000 mile!?
This is what I learned/experienced:
The engine is considered what is called a "Zero Tolerance" engine. There is NO CLEARANCE between the Valves and the Piston heads, zero clearance.
When the timing chain breaks, the valve are no longer in sync with the pistons. If it is running and turns a complete revolution... BENT VALVES!
This happened on mine, it was running at 60 miles an hour when the chain(s) broke. It bent all the valves before I could even slow down and stop.
I would suggest you do an engine compression test to make sure this is not a problem before you waste any more time/money on it.
It was going to cost between 3,000 to $5,000 to rebuild or replace (Short Block) the engine! (Houston Prices). I started searching the internet and had a friend mechanic do some searching online also.
He found a wreacked tracker in Lousisana with low millage (around 30,000), that we had shipped to his shop in Pasadena and he changed it out for me.
Engine cost, about $1800 shipped, total cost with labor and parts around $2400 driving out the door.
My tracker is still running with about 250,000 miles on it.
Although it's parked right now, as I believe it has the "Rusted A Frame" problem in the front end. I ran over some railroad tracks one day and afterwards it developed a shimmy and the steering geomemtry doesn't act right.
So, that's my next project. I Love the Tracker, I bought it Brand new and it's been a dependable vehicle until this occured.
So, back to your situation...
... run a compression check on the engine. If it won't hold a compression in each cylinder, pull the heads and visually check if valves are bent and if the piston heads don't have holes punched into them. If it does, shop for a short block, or a junk yard special like I did.
I feel your pain... Good luck!
Sam Nicholson, Pasadena, Texas
2001 Chevy Tracker, 4 Door, Auto trans, 2 wheel drive.
About 260,000 miles.
(Another problem you might not be aware of, my Air conditioner doesn't work. The Compressor destroyed itself and scattered junk thoughout the system. A second conpressor lasted about a month before it destroyed itself also(due to the junk in system).
They(The Manufacturer - SUCK-zuki) :P redisigned the compressors to be smaller and left-out space for the lubricating oils to reside, thus when it develops a leak, before you stop and realize it, it loses oils, thus, compressor destroys itself.) :mad:
So now, I drive with the windows rolled down! :shades:
I'm fighting like crazy trying to get mine out!!
Thanks
I can't get in touch with him as he has closed his shop and moved since then.
I might suggest you try to get in touch with a local Suzuki dealership and ask them, since the engine is really a Suzuki and Chevy folks don't usually work on then. (They may have manuals on it so you could look it up. Get the right year as I heard that all years changed somehow.)
If I get any information, or find out how, I will let you know.
Regards,
Sam Nicholson
My 2000 Tracker with the 2.0L has a small (5/8 inch) hose branching off the top radiator hose, and crossing over in front of the block to a fitting at the base of the inlet manifold, right under the throttle body. It brokand I replaced it. What is this hose for? Isit for the automatic choke?
Thanks!
Thanks
Jesse
Thanks Jesse
I have had major work done to my 2003 chevy tracker ( that I adore!) Most recent was a cam/shaft sensor replaced...( before that fuel filter, fuel pump... my wallet is crying out in pain)
After they installed the new sensor... i noticed a new prob. Whenever I have my ac on, and brake at a light or stop sign or whatever ...my car squeels and my steering wheel shakes/ vibrates and also makes a pounding noise.
When I drive with out the Ac on no probs. People tell me its warped rotorss, un balanced tires, a belt or pulley loose in the ac, brake disk prob...everyone ( some mechanics) say something different... I am so in debt from getting things fixed on this car...many things I DID NOT NEED... and wasnt the real problem( but they arent gonna take the part back and refund my $ , lol! ) A mechanic even said its transmission ...NOT!
iF ANYONE CAN GIVE ME SOME ADVICE , I'D GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!! :confuse:
Thanks
Jesse
I bought a 2003 tracker 4 months ago and I think it might be time to change the oil. In the manual it says: "SAE 5W-30 is the only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle", and, "Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as SAE 1 OW-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions."
However, I have read and been told that SAE 20W-50 should be used for older engines.
What should I do?
Thanks in advance.
Colin
I have the 2.0 engine & use Mobile 1 full synthetic for high milage. No problems & I only need to change my oil once a year
Now if I can get a few hours I can get the timming chain cover off & get at replacing all that stuff in there.
Good Luck
Steve
I have a 99 tracker convertible I changed my bulbs a couple of years ago,as I remember it they are small round covers to remove them push them in and unscrew them 1/4 turn. Maybe some WD40 if they are tight. Hope this helps.
Frank
Finally got the timing chain cover off. I had to remove the stud in the center of the chain cover & the two studs going into the cover from the oil pan.
If I couldn't get that done, the book said to drop the front axle, disconnect the trans from the engine & raise the engine to drop the oil pan.
Replaced the chains , guides & tensioner.
The small chain on the cams wasn't streched at all, but I think the big chain off the crank was streched.
I couldn't get the marks to all line up. They were about half a tooth off.
It starts & runs good, but I'm still working on getting the stat to open. BTW, the stat has to be lined up with a mark on the block.
Hope this works for you
Jesse
I have similar problem with my Tracker 2000
The problem was with the condenser fan, one blade was brocken and the fan was unbalanced causing the vibration
hope this helps
Mireklab
Any ideas, anyone?
tracker to install XM radio what is the size plug on the antenna, the radio is a delco it is a odd size. the XM adapter requires a standerd type plug.I need to find adapters.