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Comments
chris
Jane
What might be the problem. I got stuck too many times.
Help...anyone!!!!
Frustrated
I know exactly waht the problem is, as it happened to my 2002 also. The front differential is engaged by compresser air, not vacuum as one would think. On the passenger side mounted behing the fornt bumper bracket is what ampounts to a small air pump with a pressure switch and blow off valve. When you shift into 4WD, the pump is energized and engages the front diff.
The pressure switch on the pump is the problem, as it probably cost about 5 cents to make, and it is prone to failure. The part is about $450 from GM, but I paid $185 form a Suzuki dealer. It is very easy to swap out yourself, 2 bolts that hold it on the bumper bracket, a plug for the electrical connection and two air lines. Just make sre you mark the air lines with a piece of masking tape the says uppper and lower. If you mix up the hoses when you put it back together, will cause a host of other problems.
$185 for the switch? Perhaps I can get one at a junkyard...or even the whole assembly including the pump and hoses for much less.
When did this problem occur? Mine won't lock when it's cold, snowy or slushy?
Thanks..
I found the problem on my own, that the pressure regulator / switch wasnt holding the pressure to keep the front diff engaged. The pressure swith on the pump is integral to the pump and the entire unit must be replaced. I think you will be hard pressed to find one at a junkyard, and if you do, it may be no better then the one you currently have. Suzuki has made a modification to the pump in an effort to make it more reliable, so the new one you but shoudl hold up much better.
Let me know if you need any other info. E mail me - scotter58@aol.com.
Roger.
Try this site:
http://www.car-part.com/
What would one call this assembly...the pump and valves that engage the front hubs?
Anyone have an idea? I know from the past, you have to be rather specific regarding part or assembly descriptions.
Thank you
Under Suzuki Vitara (2002) I found the category "Air Pump"
but the description of the item that turned up was "VACUUM PUMP FOR 440". :confuse:
I was thinking you might search for front differential for your year and model and that would tell you if the yard had a vehicle. Then call and ask about the pump. They might not know the pump exists - I didn't, until I read it here.
I have a 2001 4 door tracker with the 2.0L Engine (127 hp), automatic transmission w/overdrive, 2 wheel drive. I have high milage on it, over 207,000 miles!
It has been a Very Dependable vehicle, except for the AC compressor going out twice. (That's another question for later!)
Monday, the timing chain broke all of a sudden when I stopped. It won't start at all.
I have been told by a local mechanic that they are a bear to find parts for; the parts are very expensive and he is very reluctant to work on it.
He said that the engine is gone, since the timing chain broke, it will have bent all the valves and ruined the engine. Is this true?
Is it cheaper to replace the engine, or overhaul it, or Junk the car?
With my milage this high, I would like to overhaul the engine and go another 200,000 miles! (or replace it with a rebuilt/Used Engine)
I'm told it's too expensive to buy parts for and I can't seem to find an engine replacements locally, new or used.
I would appreciate anyone's suggestions, recommendations on what course of action I should take? (I am happy with the Tracker and would like to continue driving it.)
Any sources on engines, rebuilt, or otherwise?
I am in the Houston, Texas area.
Thanks,
Sam Nicholson
SNichol
I discovered this by accident when trying to replace the main belt on my 2001.
I don't know if it's the same, but try it.
I'm not so lucky, my timing chain just broke. (See my post)
Thanks,
SNichol
Probably, but not necessarily. Sometimes if the valves are hitting the pistons the starter will not turn the engine over. If the valves are bent allowing the engine to turn with the starter there might be some noise when the pistons hit giving you an indication. Of course, turning the engine over with the starter might do more damage - if that's possible.
I just posted this site a few messages back:
http://www.car-part.com/
When I searched for 2.0 L Suzuki engines several pages of engines came up ranging from $2,000 down to $900 - some with low mileage.
I am having the same problem with a 2002 Tracker. It acts up when the weather is cold, when things warm up the trouble clears like magic. I had it in to the dealer and they said they didn't believe it was cold weather related but they would put a new air pump on for $565 plus tax plus labour, plus, plus, plus!! I think there must be water someplace in the pump or valving. Can that pump be disassembled, dried, sealed and reinstalled if nothing else is broken? If not I think I'll avoid GM like the plague and check with the Suzuki dealer for a cheaper alternative and do the work myself.
Thanks
davedon
I too have the same problem; when it gets cold, it won't engage in 4WD. I tried telling different mechanics about it...the answer I got was; "It has to sit on the level with the wheels headed straight in order for it to engage". That's a bunch of hogwash, I tried it every which way to Sunday and it wouldn't engage.
I bought mine from a Suzuki dealer for about $200, and it takes about 10 minutes in the driveway to take out the old one and put in the new. Just make sure you label the two hoses "upper and lower" before you remove them from the old unit, as you can possibly damage the diaphram inside the front differential if you connect them backwards.
And as far as parts go, NEVER go to a GM dealer for parts, always go to the Suzuki dealer. Not that I have had to purchase alot of parts, but each time Suzuki is less the half of GM price.
Thanks...M
Honestly what amazes me is that after you heard a "horrible racket", you didnt see anything so you kept driving. And then when you found broken parts under the timing chain cover, you removed the broken parts, and kept driving. The engine needs to be replaced at this point, and the fact it runs at all is a surprise, but it is on its very last leg.
The only reason the timing chain and/or related parts would wear out or break is due to lack of oil. These engines dont have a good oil bypass system that forces oil into the timing chain area, rather it depends on drip and splash from other components. If you get a quart down the first thing that is oil starved is the timing chain and related parts. I check my oil often, and if it gets a half quart low, I add oil to prevent what happened to yours.
You can get a new crate engine form Suzuki for about $3200.00, but depending on the condition of the rest of the vehicle, a new engine is probably more then the Tracker is worth. Driving after hearing a horrible noise I think did you in, and then removing broken engine parts and continuing to drive, was the final nail as they say. You may be able to get an engine form a junk yard, but the risk there is that it may have as poorly maintained as yours was.
One air line runs to the front diff, and the other is the supply line, that runs up and connects to a metal "water trap" next to the radiator. This hairpin piece of tubing, prevents water from entering the supply line, and it mounted up high, above the front bumper, so it wont suck water in, if you happen to be in some water.
davedon
Just a couple of points:
It is premature to assume that the engine is damaged because some metal got loose in the oil. The screen on the oil pickup should stop pieces from getting picked up by the oil pump and the oil filter should catch the rest.
You might be on the right track with the timing chain. Centrifugal force and load might be causing the chain to take up slack and fly out against the tensioner quieting it down at speed.
Seems like I read something about the timing chain tensioner not doing its job after a small oil port clogged and loosing pressure to a little piston that pushes it out against the chain. But, low oil pressure could also provide the same result.
Also, I'm always a little surprised when something that pumps oil can fail. It's the best lubricated part in the car yet most people point to it first. It's been my experience that when oil pressure is lost it's usually due to something else like main, rod and cam bearings or something blocking oil flow. On point I agree with is that low oil pressure starves the top of the engine first.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
I have been buying timing parts for my 2000 2.0L 4wd tracker which has 134K miles. So far the majority has been special order from Chevy dealership. I ended up ordering the lower/lge timing chain from Auto Zone. I have invested around $400 just in the timing parts and have only replaced about half of them. I had a small sprocket lose a couple teeth, the upper chain guide broke in to, and the upper tensioner broke. It was part metal, part plastic. I have since ordered the idler sprocket and bushing, because the sprocket showed uneven teeth wear and one tooth was chipped. I go tomorrow to pick up the lower chain and tensioner. I hope that will take care of my problems. Good luck finding aftermarket parts in your area. And, I hope you haven't toasted your motor.
So far my mechanic can't find anything local!
He says Chevrolet wants $3800 for a short block.
There are no rebuilt available for this engine here in Houston. (Can you provide me with your sources of the parts other than Chevy & Auto Zone?)
One company here in Houston will rebuild it for a little over $1850, but my mechanic doesn't trust them. He says if they re-bore the engine cylinder sleeves over .20, it will make the walls too thin and subject to blow out. (Anyone care to comment on this? (verify/discount it?)
We are searching for a complete replacement engine to install and go.
Anyone know where I can find a low milage engine right away? Cheap?
Thanks,
SNichol
Good luck,
Pam
chris
Anyhow...checked fuse under hood...25 amp, looks good...where do I start with this? Thanks.
It worked okay a few weeks ago, but all of a sudden...no air conditioning.
Any ideas...like leakage, pump gone bad, etc.?
Check out the Climate Control Problems (Air Conditioning, Heat) - All Cars discussion too.
I'm about 2 minutes from getting rid of the 2002 Chevy Tracker and getting something more reliable.
Yes.
My mechanic found a USED 2001 engine in Beaumont, Texas with low mileage on it. (They couldn't say what actual miles are. We took a chance...)
My mechanic installed the engine in two days. (That amazed me!) They sent the radiator out and had it cleaned/flushed, replaced the tensioner pulley on the belt drive(it was making a noise and dragging). Engine, labor, and other parts/fluids came to a total of $2350.00
I picked it up Tuesday (April 17) and have drove it to work every day. It purrs like a kitten, has the New Engine smell and so far haven't had any problems! (Knock on wood!)
For the guy with the noisy timing chain/100,000 miles... Change it out! It's cheaper and easier than finding another engine!!!
Another word of caution... Don't tow the car with the rear wheels on the ground if it's an automatic!
I did, but so far I seem to be lucky.
The owner's manual says don't do it! Without the engine running, the transmission gets no oil circulating and can burn it up.
(The fellow talking about towing it behind his RV, better tow it backwards on a two wheel dolly with the rear wheels up.)
On the Tracker with the different year engine installed (a 1999 into a 2000), it may be a problem with the computer (a mis match)or different sensors, etc.
I was told to only use the same year engine that came in my tracker, or there might be problems. They didn't say what problems...
... anyway I followed their advise and mine runs good without and glitches so far.
I still have an AC problem... Anyone know where to get a cheaper compressor, or knows of a substitute from another manufacturer??? The last time I paid Chevy around $800 and it's gone out again! (Heard that the bearings don't hold up under the tension put on by tensioner on the belt drive.??? ... a bad tensioner pulley on mine may have had something to do with it???)
I have 208,000 miles on this 2001 Tracker and now it's still a ticking ... :>)
I will drive it until the wheels fall off!
I still love it!
Have a good day!
Sam Nicholson (snichol)
Roger.