[murcod]

losfer wrote:

ok just had a call from another workshop today looking for a J24B for a kizashi which shares the same engine as the grand vitara . 38000 kms and over heated with a cracked head .

What happened first - the cracked head or the over heating which subsequently caused the crack?

A guy in the USA (on a Kizashi forum) has recently discovered his radiator cap wasn't holding pressure and he was losing coolant. His wife drove it like that a couple of times- overheating with the A/C cutting out , once it overheated and wouldn't start again! But he's had it tested (only this week) and everything appears okay so far....

PS: Do you have a link to that Russian site you mentioned?

[GVX2]

It's not the Russian site Murcod but still interesting.

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... ?p=2488401

[murcod]

losfer wrote:

Another thing that i have discovered is that ALL the auto parts stores list the thermostat for the J24B as a 89 degree thermostat where the factory lists it as an 82 degree . check the link in the OP for the new pic and info.

What is is with some manufacturers fitting the thermostat in the lower radiator hose- the thermostat gets hot, starts to open and gets a rush of cold coolant from the radiator, so starts to quickly shut again!? It would surely be a lot more stable having it fitted in the top hose (hot coolant outlet from the head).

Out of interest, I owned another vehicle designed like that and had endless issues with thermostats - only the OEM would work satisfactorily.

[murcod]

GVX2 wrote:

It's not the Russian site Murcod but still interesting.

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... ?p=2488401

Seems to be a lot of rumours going around, something concrete from Suzuki would help clear things up. They didn't mention the heads on there either- only the blocks.

[losfer]

murcod wrote:

GVX2 wrote:

It's not the Russian site Murcod but still interesting.

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... ?p=2488401

Seems to be a lot of rumours going around, something concrete from Suzuki would help clear things up. They didn't mention the heads on there either- only the blocks.

Did you not read the thread in my first post with the technical service bulletin from suzuki?

[murcod]

losfer wrote:

murcod wrote:

GVX2 wrote:

It's not the Russian site Murcod but still interesting.

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... ?p=2488401

Seems to be a lot of rumours going around, something concrete from Suzuki would help clear things up. They didn't mention the heads on there either- only the blocks.

Did you not read the thread in my first post with the technical service bulletin from suzuki?

Yes, I most certainly did. Where was any TSB for the block cracking? There was only a USA TSB for the head cracking.

Where is something from Suzuki Australia? I know there are plenty of USA TSB's/ recalls relating to problems that Kizashi's in Australia suffer from, but Suzuki Australia claim no knowledge! (eg. engine "hard to start" ECU firmware updates, revised rear bump stops to prevent shock absorber piston corrosion.)

[JrZook]

murcod wrote:

Where is something from Suzuki Australia? I know there are plenty of USA TSB's/ recalls relating to problems that Kizashi's in Australia suffer from, but Suzuki Australia claim no knowledge!

Isn't that the overall jist of this thread?

[murcod]

Yep!

There's more here on the blocks: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=47177

[Chop]

Nothing but denial in Oz, ignorance is bliss apparently!

You won't get suzuki Australia admitting any kizashi problems, they haven't sold enough of them to have numbers.

[murcod]

There's an article quoting "less than 5000" sold in Australia - that was written December 2013.

[vet 180]

Ok how serious is this issue?

Got a mate that wants one of these. Nothing else fits what he wants in a car i.e.:
newish
comfortanble
15-18k
low range and possible to take off road
etc

Everyone he speaks to with the grand vitara loves it, not too many people have horror stories. Is it a case of buy one from 2010 onwards and fit a genuine thermostat? Or if he really wanst the car get a v6? how much extra fuel does the V6 use?

[privatepablo]

Say a newish 2012 onwards NGV how much engine problems would there be. Also that v6 3.2l engine, when did that last come out for the GVs?

[murcod]

privatepablo wrote:

Say a newish 2012 onwards NGV how much engine problems would there be. Also that v6 3.2l engine, when did that last come out for the GVs?

It appears to be around 2011 for the final 3.2V6 models.

There are a lot of J24B engines out there....

[Pooke]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but the J24B should be avoided at all costs!!!!!!!!!!!!

After spending $4500 at 170000kms on getting the cracked head replaced, at 200000kms it has cracked the block. Cant get a replacement engine for love or money, they just aren't about. So its bye bye GV, and all the money down the drain!

I've bought another Subaru now for work, as I never had to spend this kind of money or do any major repairs on previous ones. Thought I'd never see the day when Subaru was more reliable than Suzuki

[vet 180]

Pooke wrote:

Sorry to revive an old thread, but the J24B should be avoided at all costs!!!!!!!!!!!!

After spending $4500 at 170000kms on getting the cracked head replaced, at 200000kms it has cracked the block. Cant get a replacement engine for love or money, they just aren't about. So its bye bye GV, and all the money down the drain!

I've bought another Subaru now for work, as I never had to spend this kind of money or do any major repairs on previous ones. Thought I'd never see the day when Subaru was more reliable than Suzuki

LS1 time?

[Chop]

Saw a video on a suzuki mechanics phone today, of what happens when people mix coolants! Coagulation like jelly, radiator blocks up and you end up with a cracked 2.4.
Apparently it's common with people topping up suzuki's coolant with another!

[ooarJimnythecar]

Hi,
I'm new here (1st post). I joined because i'm about to purchase a new 3d GV and wanted to know if there was anything i should discuss with the dealer before i finalised the deal. So this thread was of particular interest and discussed with the dealer.
The salesman i'm dealing with couldn't tell me one way or the other, but he offered to talk to Suzuki HO and ask them. A guy from Suzuki Qld called me today to discuss my concerns. Here's what he told me:

1) They are aware of the US bulletin, but not aware of any reported issues here in Aus, related to the US Bulletin. Also that the issue goes back to 2009 and there's nothing confirming the head casting method or manufacturer is the same as the current J24B GV engines sold here in Aus.
2) All the examples of overheating they have seen here have been due to no or poor servicing. Vehicle had no service history.
3) There was a change from long life (45-50,000k's) to super long life coolant (160 - 170,000K's) and the 2 types of coolant are incompatible with each other (per Chop's post 3/7/15). Mixing the 2 or other non compatible coolant will cause flocking and blockages in the cooling system that will lead to overheating.

Obviously he has to support the company line and you can never know if you're getting all the facts. I like the car, the salesman's been excellent and the call today from Suzuki's technical division gave me enough confidence to go ahead with the purchase.
Hopefully i don't live to regret it.

[scorpion]

Hi all, I am in very much the same position. Just about to purchase a 2012 model 2.4L.
Can any forum members comment on similar aged Vitara's. Theres a lot out there, so can any one enlighten me on how there Vitara's are travelling ?
Don't want to purchase a lemon.
The vehicle suits my needs perfectly, and hope to keep it long term if I go ahead with purchase.

[vet 180]

scorpion wrote:

Hi all, I am in very much the same position. Just about to purchase a 2012 model 2.4L.
Can any forum members comment on similar aged Vitara's. Theres a lot out there, so can any one enlighten me on how there Vitara's are travelling ?
Don't want to purchase a lemon.
The vehicle suits my needs perfectly, and hope to keep it long term if I go ahead with purchase.

From what I have seen 9/10 owners will swear its the most reliable car they have owned, the ones that don't have blown an engine out of warranty and are up for a lot of coin.

Would I buy a 2012 GV, probably not, as the resale is good and would just stump up the extra coin for a brand new item with warranty. Or would buy one still in warranty

[MrRocky]

Clocked up 120,000 kms in our 2.4, 2010 gv with zero issues good little car for 25k with 5yr warranty compared to competitors

[scorpion]

Quoted by vet180....Would I buy a 2012 GV, probably not, as the resale is good and would just stump up the extra coin for a brand new item with warranty. Or would buy one still in warranty[/quote]

The one I am looking at is still in warranty with only 25000km on the clock. Thanks for the reply vet180 and Rocky
Great to receive a quick reply.

[rthy]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead (not really),

Seeing that this issue has been around for some time now even for the mid 09 model update, is the head/block cracking because the engine is overheating or just weak casting design/material?
It's documented that the early model prior to mid 09 has casting issues and but people continue to have issues.

I guess there are a number of known issues that could cause issues like the thermo stat installed incorrectly or replaced with one that will open at a higher temp causing water to boil which seems more like a maintenance issue. In addition to the coolant mixing issue.
But could the design cause poor cooling in certain areas that will always be a problem, assuming Australia received the new casting post mid 2009?

Given that some manuals maybe incorrect could be a big player with people who have a solid service history and still have issues when a mechanic follows the book and installs the thermostat backwards.

Lots of speculation but no solid info?

I'm looking at a 2009 2.4 GV for a daily/weekender and as like every one, not wanting to get a Lemon lol.

Also its cheaper to buy a n32 than a j24 at a wrecker! if you can find one.