1999 Grand Vitara V6 2.5 engine rattle

[JODY]

149 000km and the engine rattles please help The oil was changed every 5000km since new by the dealer. It sounds like the timing chain ( to me ). If it is, could it be just the tensioner that needs replacing or the chains and tensioner? It has never been driven hard or abused. The mechanic tells me that suzuki recommends changing the chains at 300 000km. I'm just wondering if it is the chain slapping could I just get away with a new tensioner. It rattles when you first start it and when it warms up gets quieter and then sometimes goes away. When you drive it or rev it higher it goes away. I am going to take it to the dealer tomorrow to get the mechanic to listen to it. Any suggestions or help would be great Thanks Jody

[murcod]

What viscosity oil are you using? I know some people have noticed a marked improvement in chain noise after changing their oil brand/ viscosity.

[JODY]

I just changed the oil about 150 km ago to Mobil 1 synthetic 10w30 I just purchased this vehicle so I'm not sure what the previous owner used but I have the records form the suzuki dealer that is was changed every 5000km till now and show 149 250km so I will try Mobil 1 Had great luck with this oil with my other vehicles Thanks for the feedback Jody

[ewetho]

Front end rattle are from one of two places, either the timing chain hydraulic tensioner or the oil pump chain is too loose. Need a front cover pulled to change either.

[JODY]

Thanks for the feedback JODY

[Max]

It SOUNDS like tensioner issues but I'll tell you what...I'd switch BACK to the non-syn oil and (more importantly) to the OEM recommended 5W-30 along with a high quality (OEM?) oil filter before you have the dealer plunge in there. It MAY save you $1000-$2000 in unneeded repairs.

Do a search. There is TONS of info on the subject including justification / explanation of the initial noise (which has been deemed acceptable by Suzuki BTW).

I just hit 220,000 miles on my yet to be opened up 2.5 FWIW.

[murcod]

Jody, where do you live? I'm guessing not in the USA given the distance you've given is in km?

Here in Australia a few people on another forum reckon the Castrol Magnatec (spelling?) in 10W40 works well. It's also what a Suzuki Tech told me they fill them with at one of the local dealers. (I think that's an Australia only oil?)

I'm using Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (synthetic) in mine at the moment and have only got a second or two of rattling at cold starts. I'm going to give Motul Turbolight 10W40 a go next but I don't get the icey cold mornings that a lot of the USA members do, so 5W oil is a bit of an overkill.

[JODY]

Spoke with the suzuki tech. today and checked the file on my vitara and it had the updated tensioner installed under warranty. He told me that it is like a plunger with a ratchet/sprocket mechanism that the adjustment hasn't reached the next tooth to keep it adjusted tighter so the rattle will be there till it jumps the next tooth on the tensioner to tighten the chain. He also told me to hold it in second gear against the rev limiter for 10-12 seconds and the oil pressure in the front cover usually makes the chain tighter allowing clearance for the chain adjuster to jump to the next tooth. He's done it and it's worked 98% of the time. I will try it in the next few days and if it doesn't work I will just get another tensioner installed next week. He also told me to go back to the 5w30 engine oil but the synthetic oil will be ok. Only a small oil passage going into the chaincase gallery so it is highly recommended to use a lighter oil especially in winter. This guy was great and really knows his Suzuki's ) He's been at it a long time.

[JODY]

Anyone else hear of doing this method?

[Max]

As far as running the engine at an elevated RPM to aid in clearing up lifter noise, yes.

See...

GENERAL TECH INFO

TSB No. TS 02 12112
Division: Automotive Section Title: Engine
Category: General
SUBJECT: ENGINE TICK NOISE
MODEL(S): VITARA (SQ 420), GRAND VITARA (SQ 625), GRAND VITARA XL7
(JA627), ESTEEM (SY418), AERIO (RH 420)
YEAR: 1999 - 2003
CONDITION: A condition may exist of a tick noise that is heard during cold or hot engine
operation. The condition is most noticeable in a vehicle where the engine has
not been run for extended periods of time. This condition also is noticed following
lifter or camshaft repairs.
CAUSE: This condition may be caused by oil drain down in which air may get trapped
in valve lifters not allowing for proper lifter adjustment.
CORRECTION: Perform the following procedure to purge air trapped in the valve lifters before
any major engine repairs.
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Apply the emergency brake and place the transmission in park or neutral.
2. Run engine at 2,000 RPM for approximately 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes has elapsed, the air
should be purged and the noise should stop.
3. Every 5 to 10 minutes check coolant temperature and instrument panel indicator lamps during the
run time.
4. After the specified run time, recheck for lifter noise at idle.
• Note: If the noise is still present after performing above procedure, locate the defective lifter(s)
by using a listening device and replace it (them). Or, remove the valve cover(s) with engine
stopped and push lifter down by hand with a force less than 20 kg (44 lbs.) when camshaft is on
the base circle. If clearance exists between the camshaft and the lifter, the lifter is defective and
should be replaced.
SuzukiTech is offline Add to SuzukiTech's Reputation Report Post Reply With Quote