[Big_Al]

Hey all,

Just seeking some advice on an engine noise that has developed in my 2002 Grand Vitara h25a.

Purchased the car at the start of the year, and have loved every minute of it. I have just hit 200k and so I have done a full service on the car, which mainly involved changing out the fluids. Since doing so my engine has developed a moderately loud mechanical clunking sound

It definitely sounds like it is coming from the engine, somewhere near the top end. I'm guessing that the new oil (10W-50, recommended by my local parts store) may have caused something to not function correctly?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Help me I'm poor

[ZUZUKI]

Hi Big Al,
While noises are notoriously difficult to diagnose over a forum, I was pretty sure of what the cause would be just from the post title.
This is 99% sure to be timing chain rattle.
The engine oil is on the thick side - depending on what climate you are in, 5W-30 is what I run in Melb. You could go 10W-30 in Darwin, but 50 is too thick.
Change back to a lighter oil & see if the noise lessens on start up.
However, 200,000km onwards is when timing chains let them selves be known that they need replacing, so the thicker oil has maybe only brought forward this issue a little - if at all.

There are actually 4 chains in this engine - a complicated little piece of work. The main chain goes from crank to each bank, with much shorter chains between the twin cams on each head & another chain drives the oil pump in the sump.
It's all something you don't want to be playing with unless you have a factory workshop manual & know what you are doing.
The chain stretches & the oil pressure fed tensioner eventually runs out of travel.
This is about a $800-$1,000 repair to have done professionally - there is hours of entertainment getting to it, cleaning & reassembly & if you are not spending $250 on the kit of parts, it will be cheap junk or missing bits - find a Suzuki specialist to supply parts &/or do the whole job.

If you leave it too long & a guide breaks, the engine is toast & will effectively write the car off to fix it. A s/hand engine will probably need the chains doing anyway & will be around $1,000 from a wrecker.

Sorry for the bad news, but that sounds like what it will be.
If you can get over that, the car is a great little package overall. We've owned ours from new, now with 285,000km, done chains (twice, after the workshop I took it to stuffed it up - re-did it with knowledgeable help the 2nd time) but the heads have never been off & it is going great - love it.

Rgs, Michael

[Big_Al]

Hey Michael,

Cheers for your thorough reply

I have read that the timing chains are a regular problem with the h25a, but I probably should have mentioned that 6 months prior to purchase the previous owner had spent big money (approx. $4,000) on getting the timing chains, and all the bits that go along with it, changed. So I am pretty sure that isn't the problem.

I'm hoping that changing back to a thinner oil will fix the problem. The other local parts stores all recommend 10W-40 or 10W-50, so I am hoping that your recommendation of 10W-30 (I live in WA) is better suited for my vehicle. I presume that because of the thicker oil I have put in, and the age, I should probably run some form of engine flush through the engine as well? Finger crossed that all is good, but I suppose if that doesn't fix the problem I should take it back to the workshop which did the timing chains and get them to check if it was an error on their part, I have all of the receipts of the work that was done.

Thanks, Alex.

[Big_Al]

Hey guys,

Quick update - I never got to find out if an engine flush would fix the issue, because on my way to the parts store on Saturday I was t-boned! Luckily I am fine and so was the other driver, can't say the same for the GV though Unfortunately an impact directly to the rear wheel is no good for the rear axle, or the chassis, who would of thought. I believe the car will be written off, lucky the guy who hit me was very cooperative and has good insurance.

I will really miss the car, and my 6 months of owning it was great fun! I guess I am in the market for a new one now, if anyone knows of a V6 GV1 for sale in WA, hit me up. I am back driving the Hyundai Excel for now

Thanks again guys,
Big Al.

[Joe]

No good mate glad your ok though, car can be replaced lives can't

[Boggomobile]

Big_Al wrote:

Hey guys,

I will really miss the car, and my 6 months of owning it was great fun! I guess I am in the market for a new one now, if anyone knows of a V6 GV1 for sale in WA, hit me up.

Thanks again guys,
Big Al.

Nice choice of words!
isn't that what happened to the last one?

[Big_Al]

Boggomobile wrote:

Nice choice of words!
isn't that what happened to the last one?

Hey Boggo,

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but I am going to say no. This was the only Suzuki I have ever owned, and it was the first serious car accident (and hopefully only one) I have been involved in.

Thanks, Big Al.

[ZUZUKI]

if anyone knows of a V6 GV1 for sale in WA, hit me up.

I think the reference was to this bit - hit me up.

They are great cars, if you persevere & get another one.
Good to hear you are ok.

Rgs, Michael

[suzukitas]

I purchased a mint looking white GV from auction which appeared undamaged, but it had but a low impact on towbar(didn't even really dent) and bent the chassis just perfectly down on both sides. any chassis damage will write it off for sure.

I'd probably be looking for a 03-05 version or one without airbags as I fairly confident all 98-02 GVs with airbags will be recalled as with 98-00 manuals.