2001 Grand Vitara wont start

Brettweir · 03-22-2008, 06:20 PM

Hi,
Hopefully someone on here might be able to help with my problem. I have a 2001 Gr Vitara that did not start the other day, made a sound like a starter that is bad. I checked out the battery and its fine, I was going to try and do the starter myself but it looked too cramped.

Took it to a mechanic and he said the starter is fine, but the compression is really low. He said it could be the timing chain is off and it could be up to 2500 bucks to fix it, about a 14 hour job. First they have to take off the valve cover (or something) to look and see if the chain is ok. Does this sound weird? I am going to have it towed to another mech that I have used before for a second opinion.

Thanks for any input.

Max · 03-22-2008, 08:51 PM

Need info!

Wouldn't start...like wouldn't turn over properly on the starter? Turn the key and nothing? Or DID turn over but wouldn't fire & run?

Sometimes...can you turn the key to start and nothing is heard / happens? Other times no starting prob?

So when it DID start and you then took it to a mechanic? How did is sound / run when you drove it?
(or was it towed?)

How many miles on the engine?

Just prior to this current prob...when you started the engine when cold, did it rattle / tap for a few seconds then run okay?

What has been the oil and filter change frequency?

What weight oil do you use?

Does the engine USE oil? (leak and / or smoke?)

Auto or stick transmission?

What is the temperature of which your car sits over night at?

Low compression...one (or more) cylinders? Or all?

That 1st mechanic is leaning toward timing chain and tensioner failure / repair, thus the high price (worse case scenario) estimate and his need to open and inspect. DON'T GO THERE JUST YET! If he's any good, he can use a stethescope to ID a valve train issue (I'm assuming that the engine WILL run here).

Brettweir · 03-23-2008, 12:25 AM

Thanks for the reply, I guess I forgot some important info.

The car would not start, it made a spinning type sound but did not fire up. IY was definately not just a click sound, or a quiet sound when I tried to start it. It kind of sounded like it needed a jump or something, that didnt work, and battery checked out.

It was towed into the mechanic. They said the starter is ok, they tested the compression and I think he said one cylinder was firing. The car has 75 K miles and never made any noises that sounded out of the ordinary. Auto transmission, Oil changes were done pretty regularly, 3-4 K miles. Outside temp varies here in colorado, but its been ok recently. Never had any problems starting before this, never died or made any bad noises prior to this. The engine does use oil but does not leak or smoke. Just had an oil change a few months ago.

I am going to tow it to another guy on monday. Hopefully they can give me a better idea of whats going on.

Thanks again for your help.

Max · 03-23-2008, 09:39 AM

75K on a 2.5 V-6 is pretty low mileage to have suffered a significant valve train failure, given the maintenance you've provided it. If the engine hasn't been otherwise abused (ran while over heated or over rev'd / beat) then I would think that you have a lesser problem. Possibly one of many sensors are bad, a fuel supply related problem or a wiring / single component failure issue.

It's difficult to troubleshoot long distance w/o specific input as to what is wrong with the engine.

Does it display (now or recently) any check engine lights?

You need a GOOD technical evaluation from a reputable source. The Suzuki dealers WILL do this, at a price, but you'll get an honest answer / repair w/OEM parts. That and a repair WARRANTEE that is backed up. You can use other REPUTABLE sources, but only if you find that they are competent to evaluate and conduct repairs. Seek advice from local friends and family that may have recently been in the same vehicle repair need "boat", is my suggestion. I'd hate to see you throw big $'s on fixing a possibly small prob, due to a mis-diagnosis.

Brettweir · 03-23-2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks again for your info.

Does it sound plausible to you though that it could be a timing chain? They wanted to open it up to see if the chain was off and that was what was causing the low compression. They wanted 400 bucks just to see that. Anyway, Im taking it someplace else for a second opinion anyway. Thanks again, Happy Easter!

Max · 03-23-2008, 12:07 PM

It's "possible", but unlikely if the engine was treated well. I've got 216K on my 2.5, and it has never been opened up (for instance)!

How about that "check engine" light. Any signs of it?

Happy Easter to you as well.

Brettweir · 03-23-2008, 05:18 PM

No check engine light, just went out to drive it and it didnt start, was fine the day before.

Brettweir · 03-24-2008, 04:40 PM

Got some more info from other mechanic.

He got it started. It is flooding though, so that needs to be fixed, they are finding out what is causing that. Will let me know tomorrow. He said it is not the timing chain.