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I might say you could try switching to a different brand of oil and see what happens. Bear in mind our hamsters run pretty fast at highway speeds and this works the oil pretty hard. Shearing is an issue at high RPM and if the oil you are using is not up to snuff, then it might not be holding is molecular stability at high rpm.
Give it a shot and let us know what happens.
zeke707: I checked my A/C condensor and all looks good, no bent fins, you can see through to the radiator in all areas. Can't imagine what caused yours to bend.
Thanks
You might also consider the Suzuki Vitara, which is nearly the same vehicle (built on the same line in Ontario) as the Tracker.
Thanks
http://www.cartops.com/2piece-hardtops.html
I am in the process of searching for a Chevy Tracker--1999 or newer--the purchase will be anytime from 9 months to two years from now. The car I currently own (and will eventually sell) is a 1996 Chevy Beretta Base Coupe with 113,000 miles, 3100 V6, four-speed auto transmission. (Obviously, the mileage will be higher in the future.)
I have been reading several reviews about the Tracker and am interested in buying one once I save up more money for a decent down payment. (I have especially liked the Tracker since the redesign in 1999. It is relatively inexpensive when compared to other makes/models.)
However, one of the concerns I have about the Tracker is the amount of "road noise" and "lack" of power. I am used to the Beretta's power and handling. So, I guess I will have to adjust when I purchase a Chevy Tracker. This also will be the first SUV/truck I've ever owned.
Any advice or insight? Thanks.
GEJ in the Carolinas <><
Also, I forgot to mention in my first post that since 1977 my dad has had a 1969 International Scout 800A 4X4 with the 3.1 L (196 CI) slant-four engine with only 85,000 original miles and three-speed transmission. It has the travel top and can be noisy too. (And, from a distance, it remotely favors the Tracker.)
GEJ <><
Incidentally, if people said everything there was to say in their first post, we wouldn't have the pleasure of reading their subsequent posts! :-)
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I live in Washington state, and my usual driving conditions are city driving mixed with some secondary highway driving, freeway driving, and a little "primitive road" driving. I drive in conditions from 105 degrees to -10 degrees, including 2-3 trips each winter over mountain passes in blizzard conditions.
Since the Tracker is the first vehicle I have owned with the cooling fan IN FRONT of the A/C condenser and radiator, I am wondering if the fin damage is due to the fan coming on when there is ice and/or snow build up on the condenser during highway driving in blizzards or freezing rain.
I live in western PA. "near pittsburgh"
and my driving habits are ALOT of off rpading!
along with most HIGHWAY driving.
http://www.auto-extra.com/grill_guard.htm
they also have them in Chrome, unlike most other companies that offer accessories for our trackers only in black.
or just try http://www.auto-extra.com
then click on grill guards
Sounds interesting, especially the front wheel drive part. It did not list any dimensions, such as length, width, cargo capacity, etc.Althogh it did say that it will target such competitors as the CRV, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Liberty....so I have to assume it will be larger than the 2002 Tracker. The picture that is shown is from Jim Dunne of Popular Mechanics magazine...so maybe there is an article in that issue???
I've got a 2000 Tracker 4-door 4X2 with a 5-speed transmission. I've had the synchronizer replaced for grinding from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd during cold weather. I'm waiting for winter to come to see if this is fixed. My clutch creaked and it took two tries to fix that. There are many chirping noises when going over bumps but the dealer has not located or fixed them. The pulley tensioner was replaced for a chirping sound that only happened on cold start when it is raining or has just rained (very humid conditions). That was just done today so I don't know if that is corrected.
My main concern is with oil consumption. I bought my Tracker in May of 2001 with 20,000 miles. It was sold as used even though it had never been titled. I took it to the dealer for a free oil change before I had driven 3,000 miles. Just before the next oil change was due I noticed the engine was ticking. The oil was more than two quarts low. My husband changed the oil and we thought maybe it was a fluke, that it wasn't completely filled from the last oil change. Again before the next oil change was due the engine started ticking. Again, the oil was two quarts low. I took it to the dealer who did an oil change and told me to bring it back when the level had dropped by a quart. I took it in today because we are leaving on vacation and wanted to have them document the level. It was a half quart low after only 1,300 miles since the previous oil change. They added a half quart and told me that was an acceptable amount of consumption, that there was not a problem. They just told me to keep checking it.
I've worked as a service consultant at a Lexus dealership and a Lincoln/Mercury dealership for a total of 15 years. During that time I never saw a vehicle that new and that was maintained regularly use that much oil unless there was some kind of a problem. I've never owned a vehicle that has used oil like this. Am I wrong in thinking that this is not an acceptable amount of oil consumption?
I'm about 4,000 miles from the end of the warranty and am worried that this will turn in to a problem down the road. I plan on having the dealer continue to check, document and change my oil from now on.
Does anyone else have this problem? I'd appreciate any feedback. I really love the looks and the ride of this Tracker but I'm afraid I'll have to get rid of it if I can't get this corrected.
First thing I would do is replace it since its a cheap easy fix. Then check every part of the motor and see if there are leaks anywhere.
The fact that this is a used vehicle but never titled is interesting to say the least.
Finally, I would have the dealer put it in writing this is "normal" I have to agree with you in saying its not. But should you have problems later, you can use this as leverage for repair work. It probably would be a good idea to discuss this with Chevrolet cus service and make sure its documented on their end.
I have a 2002 vitara (basically same vehicle) it it burns no oil at all.
NOTE TO STEVE: I have removed the one profane word from my site and link, everything else is clean and the truth, so please do not delete this again. I am trying to muster up help or advice in this situation, ok?
Here is my link to my problem with GM http://mattyrealm.tripod.com/gmsucks/
Now to answer the questions about problems with the Tracker from an earlier post on this page. The ticking noise is probably either something minor in the engine, valve lift adjustors, or even simpler, a loose sparkplug(s). I change out the spark plugs on my 99 and found that a couple of them were very loose, causing the ticking noise.
The pulley thing unfortunately does not go away, believe me I have replaced the pulley a couple of times to no avail and I live here in the North where it gets cold and that sound happens when I start the engine.
The transmission thing is a classic problem with the 99 and 00 models, even without that problem it is a slush box and really sucks. Though I had thought only people with 4X4's were having that problem.
Read my site to find out about all the problems I have had with my vehicle and why GM is a very bad, unethical company.
Also, you force them to give you an extended GMPP warranty on your rig, because the transmission problem is hard to fix and you do not want the 4000 dollar cost of putting in a new transmission.
Good luck and email me if I can be of more assitance.
MT
http://www.auto.com/industry/gm14_20020814.htm
My wife's 1999 Tracker 4x4 with auto tranny and approx 40,000 miles on the odometer just had the "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" message show on her dash. It has been a couple of days now and will not go away.
Have any of you experienced this? What was the root cause?
Thnaks in advance.
THe EPA allows a very narrow window of emission operations. ANything from a misfiring plug to a lazy o2 sensor to a loose gas cap can cause this.
Basically, the computer has logged a trouble code in its memory and you'll need a scanner to read it out and thereby be able to diagnos what is wrong.
1) make sure your gas cap is on Tight.
2) check to see OR just replace the PVC valve ($1.99).
3) put a "good" fuel Injector cleaner in your gas tank on fill-up.
my old co-worker had a 1994 ranger and it ALWAYS had it;s engine light on. it has been on for years. So i told him to let me take quick look at it. well i noticed that his PVC valve was clogged. "you can tell that by shaking it" it should rattle. so we changed it for around $2-$3.
And wouldn't you know, the check engine light went OFF. And hasn't been back on. He never had it checked out for fear that it was something BIG and costly.. and all this time it was something so small.
The process of combustion forms several gases and vapors; many of them quite corrosive. Some of these gases get past the piston rings and into the crankcase. If left in the crankcase, these substances would cause all kinds of bad things (rust, corrosion, and formation of sludge), so they have to be removed. Back in the old days, they used to be dumped out into the atmosphere through a tube. Once we realized what a problem pollution was in the sixties, the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system was developed to take the place of the old "dump tube." The PCV system uses a hose connected between the engine and the intake manifold to draw these gases out of the engine's crankcase and back into the cylinders to burn with the regular fuel. The only problem to solve is how to keep these gases from going willy-nilly into the manifold and upsetting the required air-fuel ratio. The solution to this problem is the PCV valve. The PCV valve controls the release of crankcase gases and vapors to the intake manifold. The valve is kept closed by spring action when the engine is at rest. When the engine is running normally, the low vacuum it creates allows the valve to open and release crankcase vapors and gases into the intake manifold for burning. If the engine is idling or you are slowing down, the vacuum level rises and pulls the valve plunger into the valve opening. This partially blocks off the opening so that only a small amount of vapors and gases can be drawn into the intake manifold. One really comforting feature of the PCV valve is its behavior in the event of a backfire. If your car backfires in the manifold, the pressure makes the spring close the valve completely. With the valve closed, there is no chance that the flame can move into the crankcase and cause an explosion.
Now i am not sure if your trackers owners manual will have a picture of a pcv valve or not. but the best thing i can say at this point would be. It is on the valve cover. and towards the rear of the engine. If you still aren;t sure go to your local autoparts store and they probably would be happy to show you where yours is..
http://www.motortrend.com/news/stories/020904sp.html
I have had a 2002 Tracker 4dr LT for about 7 months and have gone thru a car wash on a weekly basis since inception. {I live in Florida} and it rains cats and dogs down here all summer long and never had one leak.
I doubt very much if your dealer "tested" the other Trackersand they "all"leaked.If the weather stripping replacement did not solve the problem, perhaps the doors are misaligned? This is "not" a normal problem and I suggest you call the dealer again, complain, and if not corrected, call the district mgr., or whoever.No car should leak at all four doors....not even a Kia or YUGO. {Well, maybe the YUGO}.
I check the Suzuki club and follow all the Tracker posts and have not seen one complaint about all four doors leaking, let alone one door leaking.