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School me on Grand Vitaras
https://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11763		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  BLZUK [ Tue May 11, 2010 10:50 am ]
Post subject:  School me on Grand Vitaras
The Gf's old man is looking at buying at grand vitara, we're looking at the 2.5L v6's early 2000's.

Is there any common things to look out for when checking these cars out?

It wont be modded and only taken on easy tracks so not to worried about stuff that breaks with lifts and lockers and stuff. just some general background info would be handy!

Thanks!
Author:  Chop [ Tue May 11, 2010 10:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
Timing tensioner has issues AFAIK. They rattle on a cold start up if they havent been seen too.

Chop
Author:  atari4x4 [ Tue May 11, 2010 10:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
transfer cases jumping out of gear...

search for gravity_power's threads.
Author:  steak_knife [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
Chop wrote:
Timing tensioner has issues AFAIK. They rattle on a cold start up if they havent been seen too.

Chop


Thay fixed that prob in the 2lt, the locking pin was snapping.

The SQ625 need regular service's & oil flush is highly recommended.
Timing cover's leak unless thay have had a re-seal by someone that know's what thay are doing, the first 2 I did came back with in a week. I now know what to do.. :roll:
Get an auto!!!!

Jumping out of high rang was also fixed in I think 2000 on

Put bash plate's under em.

Enjoy. :P :P :P

Friggen awesome car's, great on the h/way, beach & off the beaten track..

Hope that help's.
Author:  Zook_Fan [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
anyone know the diff ratio's from GV's?
Author:  steak_knife [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
Zook_Fan wrote:
anyone know the diff ratio's from GV's?


http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=11556

Yep. :P
Author:  atari4x4 [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
steknig wrote:
Zook_Fan wrote:
anyone know the diff ratio's from GV's?


http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=11556

Yep. :P


yep

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=11556
Author:  joeblow [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
buy an auto version!....................
Author:  Zook_Fan [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
wow missed that sorry guys
Author:  steak_knife [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
joeblow wrote:
buy an auto version!....................


I said that!!! :roll:
Author:  joeblow [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
steknig wrote:
joeblow wrote:
buy an auto version!....................


I said that!!! :roll:


i know......but no one takes your pussy seriously..........
Author:  BLZUK [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
Cool thanks for that guys, so there isnt much commonly wrong with them.

Looking at a 99 Auto this weekend thats never been used in 4wd, thats gunna be more a bad thing than a good thing hey?
Author:  steak_knife [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
joeblow wrote:
steknig wrote:
joeblow wrote:
buy an auto version!....................


I said that!!! :roll:


i know......but no one takes your pussy seriously..........


You have a point 8O .. but i have been through 4 clutch's in mine & the auto's seem to keep on trucking.. :roll:
Author:  gravity_powered [ Tue May 11, 2010 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
So far I've learned (in no particular order):

-Post 2002 transfer cases are all good.

-The dash clocks stop working at the first service.

-The rear door handles break and the cheap ebay ones aren't worth their weight in pigeon shit.

-Stock rear shocks are average, but the stock springs are good if you don't want to lift it or carry much weight.

-Timing chains on the V6 get noisy, oil flush and additive make them quiet again.

-They stick to dry bitumen pretty well.

-They are twitchy on wet bitumen.

-Oxygen sensors don't last all that long and aren't very cheap.

-They will take a fair amount of abuse, rattle and whinge a bit, but never let you down.

That is all I can think of until i get another beer...
Author:  atari4x4 [ Tue May 11, 2010 12:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
you forgot the biggest thing...

It's like a Kia Sportage with fatter tires and 2 spare cylinders.
Author:  gravity_powered [ Tue May 11, 2010 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
No I didn't, it is right there on the bottom of my post :P

DH at Dazzleland this weekend. You going?

Oh, and Stekky must be hard on clutches....
Author:  atari4x4 [ Tue May 11, 2010 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
gravity_powered wrote:
No I didn't, it is right there on the bottom of my post :P

DH at Dazzleland this weekend. You going?

Oh, and Stekky must be hard on clutches....


hmmm dazzleland hey, i'll try & get up there... it's been a while since i did that hill climb!
Author:  gravity_powered [ Tue May 11, 2010 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
The dam should have some water in it by now.
Author:  atari4x4 [ Tue May 11, 2010 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
gravity_powered wrote:
The dam should have some water in it by now.


dam that dam, it ate my rear main seal... 8O
Author:  MacDaddy [ Tue May 11, 2010 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
I have only had a GV for a couple of months, but this is what i have learnt so far...

1) Make sure the GV is a series 2, can tell its a series 2 by the chrome strip just above the grill, series 1 GV had issues....

2) Auto's have more problems than manuals, and the Auto needs an oil cooler if you go offroad alot...

3) If you can hear the timing chain rattling, when engine has been running a while, forget it, expensive fix...

4) Front diff. if worn, can pop out the drive shaft, when under load in 4WD...

5) Rear suspension, is a bit soggy when even a light load is put in, and suspension in general, while very good onroad, doesnt allow alot of wheel travel offroad, and is easy to get a wheel in the air, have the photo's to prove it he he...

They are a Very comfortable road tourer, and quite economical too, only use 8L per 100km onroad... and the 2.5L V6 has alot of grunt when needed, also, i was actually surprised how capable they are offroad stock, when i christened mine a few weeks ago... but i shall be getting a Ironman 2in Suspension lift to make it even better, and improve handling all round... i am happy with my purchase ! :wink: :lol:
Author:  joeblow [ Tue May 11, 2010 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
MacBear wrote:
I have only had a GV for a couple of months, but this is what i have learnt so far..


MacBear wrote:
2) Auto's have more problems than manuals, and the Auto needs an oil cooler if you go offroad alot......


are you sure? we are yet to kill an auto. and in the dozens upon dozens of 4 speed (yes...not the crappy GM 3 speed) autos i have dealt with in either sierras or vitaras they have never had any issues whatsoever. the manuals on the other hand have a HUGE weak spot................a thing called a clutch and pressure plate.

MacBear wrote:
3) If you can hear the timing chain rattling, when engine has been running a while, forget it, expensive fix......


well, i have had many customers come to me with a problem like that. once it has a good oil treatment birthday and from then on oil changes every 8-10k the problem rarely appears again like it did originaly.

MacBear wrote:
4) Front diff. if worn, can pop out the drive shaft, when under load in 4WD...


this can be the case. if you never remove your sway bar and don't install a stupid lift this should never be a problem.
Author:  gregdixon [ Tue May 11, 2010 11:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
I have a 99 GV. Only things I have replaced are the Rear engine seal and drivers side diff seal. Not big jobs if you are handy with spanners. Have not had problems with the transfer jumping out of gear though. I have not been easy on this car and it handles the beating quite well. The V6 has plenty of power for smashing dunes with also.
Author:  ZX1990 [ Wed May 12, 2010 4:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
I've had mine for 3years now, had the Drivers side front diff seal issues up until the hub support bush was located and fitted, had the air con compressor seize, other than that its been very reliable...
Clutch was original when we bought the car - has now done 183k and still going - getting a touch soft, but considering it spends 90% of its life round the city in traffic its not bad....
Has a bit of timing chain rattle now on startup - changing the oil every 5k helps keep it good though. I'm due to try some flush in it, and see if it helps.

Great off road, although a bit low stock, the bigger tyres and coil spacers made a huge difference, as we use it in the sand most of the time... Still handles well on-road, although it takes a bit of getting used to the lean after my other car - but on the great ocean road a while back, we never held anyone up 8)
Author:  zook37 [ Wed May 12, 2010 7:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
I have a 99 GV V6. Have had her since new.... The list of faults we have had:



Timing chain Tensioner (fixed under warranty at 6 months of age)

Rear Main seal (fixed a 18 months under warranty)




Recently... Alternator overhaul (the amount of mud I drive through I am not surprised!!)

Speedo sender failed. (part was around $80.00)

Two strut top mount replacements due to replacement suspension (2" lift that went wrong)


And thats it!!!! I cannot recomend them enough!!!

Granted mine is ten and a half years old with only 90,000klms on the clock, but it has never let us down, and has silenced the critics whenever we have taken it offroad. And I can assure you it's seen more than it's fair share of ugly terrain!!! :lol: :lol:

You will not be dissapointed!!! 8)
Author:  MacDaddy [ Wed May 12, 2010 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
joeblow wrote:
MacBear wrote:
I have only had a GV for a couple of months, but this is what i have learnt so far..


MacBear wrote:
2) Auto's have more problems than manuals, and the Auto needs an oil cooler if you go offroad alot......


are you sure? we are yet to kill an auto. and in the dozens upon dozens of 4 speed (yes...not the crappy GM 3 speed) autos i have dealt with in either sierras or vitaras they have never had any issues whatsoever. the manuals on the other hand have a HUGE weak spot................a thing called a clutch and pressure plate.

MacBear wrote:
3) If you can hear the timing chain rattling, when engine has been running a while, forget it, expensive fix......


well, i have had many customers come to me with a problem like that. once it has a good oil treatment birthday and from then on oil changes every 8-10k the problem rarely appears again like it did originaly.

MacBear wrote:
4) Front diff. if worn, can pop out the drive shaft, when under load in 4WD...


this can be the case. if you never remove your sway bar and don't install a stupid lift this should never be a problem.


These were all things i was told by a Suzuki only mechanic, before i bought mine, so yeah, they must see these problems a fair bit... but hey, mine is a 2001 and has done 200,000km's, the mechanic said the engines are good for 300,000km's, and it has done a fair bit of offroad work, can tell by the paint work scars and a few dents underbody, but for $6000, it was a bargain... i wasnt to keen on getting it at first, being used to my Vit with good offraod ability, but the GV has proven itself offroad... so yeah i am happy with my purchase of a GV !
Not sure how the newer 2005 onwards models are, but i like how they look ! :wink: :lol:
Author:  squirezook [ Wed May 12, 2010 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
Great thread :) Looking at upgrading my swb to a second hand gv in the near future.
Do they still do a 4 cylinder efi or are they all v6 and which is better.??
When did the v6 first come out?
sorry haven't done much research on em yet.
Author:  gravity_powered [ Wed May 12, 2010 9:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
MacBear wrote:
only use 8L per 100km onroad...


How the hell do you get that kind of milage 8O

Even driving like a grandma 10.5L per 100km is the best I've ever done.
Author:  steak_knife [ Wed May 12, 2010 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
gravity_powered wrote:
MacBear wrote:
only use 8L per 100km onroad...


How the hell do you get that kind of milage 8O

Even driving like a grandma 10.5L per 100km is the best I've ever done.


His speedo must be out.. :roll:
Author:  gravity_powered [ Wed May 12, 2010 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
10.5L was downhill with a tailwind too!
Author:  MacDaddy [ Wed May 12, 2010 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: School me on Grand Vitaras
gravity_powered wrote:
MacBear wrote:
only use 8L per 100km onroad...


How the hell do you get that kind of milage 8O

Even driving like a grandma 10.5L per 100km is the best I've ever done.


I dont know, when i fill up, i can go 70kms before the fuel gauge even drops, and i can get 150kms on a quarter tank... maybe your ECU on your EFI needs checking or adjusting... or your injectors are a blocked up... i regularly put fuel system cleaner through mine at every 3rd refill... i use a product called " FlashLube ", on the bottle it says it has these benefits -
1) Protects valves and valve seats
2) Increases fuel economy
3) Cleans Injectors and Fuel System
4) Upper cylinder lubricant
5) Reduces emissions
6) Increases engine life
6) Reduces engine temperature

Its about $15 to $20 for a 1 litre bottle, 50mls treats 50 litres, and the GV has a 66 litre tank, so i use 75mls... it works out to be cost effective, and it helps the engine run better.... Oh and another thing, i only fill up with Premium Unleaded, standard unleaded just has to many additives, which makes a dirty engine... :wink: :lol:
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