1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara from Jamaica - Comments

I have a 2001 Grand Vitara with 75,000 miles. I have the oil leak, but no timing chain noise. I live in Idaho so the car is exposed to some cold. I do a 50/50 combination of city and highway driving. Is a 5,000 mile interval okay for oil change and a new filter?

Thanks!

We have a 2001 Suzuki GV XL7 with 100,000kms, and it had a slight rattle in it when we bought it (which sounded like a timing chain noise). Didn't think anything of it, and took it for a long drive and the rattle became worse and the vehicle became sluggish, especially going up hills. We took it to a mechanic, and he found the catalytic converters on both banks had a meltdown and had become blocked. Once repaired, all problems and rattles were gone. Perhaps this has been the problem with the timing chain noise people are talking about?

I find the XL7 to be well made, and a great 4wd that requires regular oil changes; not just top ups. I would recommend this car to other people.

I have a 2003 5 door Grand Vitara with 85,000 km and is now 3.5 years old. I have really enjoyed having the car, until last weekend when all of a sudden it failed to start. I towed it to the Suzuki dealer and have been told it has timing chain problems which could cost up to AU $2500 to repair. The car had no signs prior to the failure. The Suzuki warranty ends at 3 years. I had the extended warranty option... which only helps by $500. Not happy!

Hello everyone.

I have a 1999 Grand Vitara tdi with 100,000 miles. In July I replaced the radiator after the car became very hot while towing a caravan. I too have a light clicking noise when the engine is cold. Out of the blue two weeks ago the engine made some very disturbing noises when I tried to put the car in gear. My mechanic said it was the release bearing and between the jigs and reels I had to replace the clutch. A disturbing noise is still present on and off when I clutch and last night the car simply would not start (starter problems?) Does anyone know if the clutching noise/problem and the starting problem are connected. Would appreciate some help as I'm ready to tear my hair out with this jeep. mrffriel@yahoo.co.uk.

I have a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara with 45,000. I've started

experiencing the same pinging noise that so many people have described, I'm assuming it's from the Timing Chain Tensioner problem. My question is do you have to change out the Chain or can you get away with just changing out the Tensioner?

I have a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6. I have been experiencing a clunk sound when I make a turn or pull into my curbed drive-way. Anyone know what this is. Mechanic said there were no suspension issues and greased things up. Sound went away for a couple of days.

Sounds like a cv joint drying out. Go to a flat piece of ground, put the car in 1st and put on a hard lock, slowly drive around in a circle. Then do the same on the opposite lock, if the clunk appears it will be the outer cv joint showing it is loosening. The inner joint will be quiet because it is compressed. Get the cv joint re-packed.

I have a 2000 Grand Vitara now with just over 100,000 miles. I had the timing chains and all fixed at about 70,000 miles and now have to do it again. Also, the rear main seal had to be replaced at about 60,000 miles to stop the oil leaks and smoke coming into the cab and under the hood. No car payments - so it makes sense for me to have it repaired from time to time. And yes, the paint on these cars have always worn thin and the choice of the tire size is ridiculous as a good set to replace them all can be over $500. I, like others, had the fabric rip on the driver's seat and like most cars these days the seatbelts never fully retract.

Have a 1999 Grand Vitari and haven't had a thing gone wrong with it. would buy another Suzuki Product.

I have a 2001 seven-seat Suzuki Grand Vitara. I bought it with 60k Kilometres on the clock three years ago and it now has 135k Kilometres.

This has been one of the most comfortable, most reliable cars I have ever owned!

The one and only problem I have ever had was a "clunking" from the front end - took it to a local mechanic; he tightened a loose bolt on the swing arm. Problem solved. I can imagine other less reputable mechanics would have done the same and charged for new CV joints...

I regularly drive Sydney - Melbourne (1000+ Ks) every month; I am very surprised to hear the comments on here as the air conditioning is VERY cold and reliable, the car is quiet and refined and I really like it.

Can I really be one of the few lucky ones, or is it mostly those who have a gripe come to this site...?

Not an advertising plug but this really worked for me:

www.auto-rx.com.

My 2000 Suzuki GV with 130K started to make that horrible rattling noise at cold. Two bottles of autoRx along with oil changes fixed the problem. The stories of oil holes in the engine seem to be true. After the autoRx treatments the noise went away and the engine is a lot cleaner. Another benefit to the AutoRx is the main component is lanolin which not only cleans your engine but it conditions the seals too. I should know after paying $700 to have my rear seal replaced at 120K.

I have two 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitaras. One is a 5 speed standard and one is a automatic. One has a noise in the front of motor and a bad vibration in driveline, the other one jumps out of 4 wheel drive when you go a short distance.

Does anybody know what any of these problems are? I had a 1997 Toyota Rav4 and it never broke down. I went to a Suzuki because I needed more power to tow my boat.

Bought a 2000 GV 5 door 2.5 Ltr V6 auto at 100,000 Klm. Replaced sagged suspension with after-market as well as rear shocks., new Hercules 235 70 R16 A/Ts, the aspect is up from the original 60. this all gave us an extra 2 inches of clearance, but throws the speedo out by 10%.

The engine blew oil onto the catalytic converter causing a big smoke up when pulled up at a traffic light, turned out to be the top seal on the transmission dip stick. The tranny had been overfilled. pressure washed everything and had no more trouble until a thousand klms later when she smoked again, this time it was engine oil sprayed extensively over the exhaust again.

Mechanics were not able to locate the leak. another thousand Ks and a major smoke up, this time it appears to be coming from around the rear of the engine above the drive shaft, the universal then sprays it all around the underbelly and onto the catalytic converter.

Great little 4x4, lots of sand and track work, a/c is not a problem, nor is the transmission. but this oil leak is driving us nuts, it seems to only happen when driving over 100 kmh and appears to be a sudden discharge, not a slow leak. the mechanics should be able to locate it this time.

Timing chain does rattle on cold starts. I am not impressed with the quality of Suzuki seals, as we had to replace transfer case seals early on, and rocker covers leaking as well as what I believe to be front chain cover as well as crank seal behind the main pulley.

Otherwise we are real happy with its off-road ability and on-road handling. and will likely keep throwing money at it.

Cheers.

A good comment for a change...

I purchase my 99 GV (used) from a fellow worker three years ago. I absolutely LOVE this vehicle. It currently has 230,000 miles on it with all the original engine internals AND clutch still intact! No ticking and only a small manageable oil leak that drips on the exhaust piping (uses a quart between 3K oil changes).

I've recently replaced the radiator, an 02 sensor, front rotors and that's about it (cept' for tires, pads, shoes and batteries).

Hoping to 300K on this one, but I've got a spare (60K) engine standing by as a replacement. LOL.

I own a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara with over 120k miles. For the most part car is reliable. However, I have been hearing a rattling noise for a long time which turns into whistling at higher speed and become really audible when it is windy outside. Nothing obvious or visible appears to be present. Lastly, very recently I have started to experience a starting problem. If I drive long distance and try to restart it, the vehicle wouldn't restart till a little time has passed and then it restarts without a problem.

I believe, two issues are unrelated, but if you have any suggestions, please feel free to share it with me. Thanks!