1996 geo tracker

[sagefr0g]

i just got a geo tracker.
the dealer told me it's a 1996. but it's got no owner manual and i'm really not sure what year it is. is there any way to tell from the vin # or something what year it is?
lots more guestions to follow lol.

edit: found on the driver's side door:

MFD by CAMI-AUTOMOTIVE INC CANADA
DATE:
09/95
so i guess that meand it's a 1996?

ok now i checked by vin # and is indeed a 1996.

[sagefr0g]

ok for another question.
what is the proper procedure to check the transmission fluid in a 1996 geo tracker?
i'm guessing drive it till it warms up, put the automatic transmission shifter through all the gears and then put it in park, leave it runnning and check the level?

[LongRod]

Originally Posted by sagefr0g

ok for another question.
what is the proper procedure to check the transmission fluid in a 1996 geo tracker?
i'm guessing drive it till it warms up, put the automatic transmission shifter through all the gears and then put it in park, leave it runnning and check the level?

Bingo! We have a winner.

[sagefr0g]

i just got this 96 geo tracker. it runs fine, great pick up, transmission smooth, 4wd works goood, steering balanced, braking balanced.
thing is i notice an engine noise when i accelerate. seems the sound is most prevalent at 2k -3k rpms. it's not so much a clicking sound, it's more like a vibrating sound (at first i thought something was loose and vibrating in the engine compartment). i had a helper rev the engine while i listened. the sound seems to be comming from the valve cover area. best i can describe the sound is it's almost like you hear when a motorcycle acelerates then shifts and acelerates again sort of thing.
any ideas on what that would be?

[deeznutts77]

thoes pesky squirrels that make these go, you need to feed them ya know!!!

[jtgh]

only 1 question which engine 1.8L chain valves, aka: Sport.
or 1.6L beltdriven valves.

if belt ,chain it out before it snaps or bye bye engine.
if chain same but fix it before more parts break like wipping the chain to death or
the guides and all the parts assoc.

and yes, the squireels are responsible, they burry nuts in the hydralic dampner and stuff.

i would never drive a 16v engine that make any rattling or trashing sound up front.
you need to fess up on displacment so i can see what valves you have.
bucket lifters or solids.

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by jtgh

only 1 question which engine 1.8L chain valves, aka: Sport.
or 1.6L beltdriven valves.

if belt ,chain it out before it snaps or bye bye engine.
if chain same but fix it before more parts break like wipping the chain to death or
the guides and all the parts assoc.

and yes, the squireels are responsible, they burry nuts in the hydralic dampner and stuff.

i would never drive a 16v engine that make any rattling or trashing sound up front.
you need to fess up on displacment so i can see what valves you have.
bucket lifters or solids.

i'm not sure, it says 16valve on the valve cover .
i'm thinking it's the 1.6L like in this link:
1996 Geo Tracker Specs, Engine Performance & Other Car Specifications - Motor Trend Magazine

so but from what your saying i should get her in the shop pronto, right?
i have no owner's manual. just picked her up a few days ago.

[jtgh]

if it has a distributor with cap and rotor, its a 16v.
if it has coil on plug packs, its a 1.8L

and any noise in the cam area is very bad regardless of this size.

id say find that noise .pronto. ( it could save the engine)
cheers.

[sagefr0g]

turned out it was a converter shield loose and vibrating. whew.

so are you saying you can put a timming chain on instead of a belt?

[jtgh]

heck no,
and converter shields love to rattle, I have one im trying to fix one, at 3100 rpm only!

maddening.

no, 1.8 is us unique and a nice motor.
just give it lots of clean oil.


the 1.8 is DOHC, the 1.6 is SOHC
the 1.8 has the oil cap front.
the 1.6 has it to the rear.

many many things are diff on a 1.8L sport.

if you dont know shoot it with a cell cam and post it.


photo attachment.
1.8L cam cover

left is front.