GEN I Suzuki Vitara 88-up [merged]

[impulzz]

think it would be better for you the look for another vitara. surplus shops rarely carry parts for vitara's and there very few shops that can properly overhaul an automatic tranny.

converting it to manual would be costly and trouble some. sakit ulo lang yan.

question Jo A. how did you know that the tranny has problems?

[Jo A.]

think it would be better for you the look for another vitara. surplus shops rarely carry parts for vitara's and there very few shops that can properly overhaul an automatic tranny.

converting it to manual would be costly and trouble some. sakit ulo lang yan.

question Jo A. how did you know that the tranny has problems?

Well the transmission is still working but of coarse due to it's age im just planning for the worst case. It will probably last for atleast 2 years if I were to buy the car. How much do you estimate it will cost for an overhaul or a conversion to manual?

Also I noticed that the steering has some free play and when I steer to the left it's like the turning radius isn't at full compared to turning right. A shell mechanic said this could be adjusted at the steering box. Would the experts here know if this is true?

Basically the only issues of the vitara is the oil leak near the oil pan and transmission(mechanic said it was an oil seal and that the transmission needed to go down to fix it), the steering play, and the age of the transmission. I would've prefered a manual but there are none available for the 200k and less
price range that I can afford. Im buying from metro manila only so provincial units are out of my search.

[impulzz]

no idea on the prices of the parts and labor for conversion.

but i don't think it would just last 2 years, well it also depends on how the previous owner used/abused and maintained the as for

uneven turning radius is due to the limiter. maybe some mechanic before adjusted it. its a simple fix that a good mechanic knows. no parts to be changed. my unit also had that problem left lock was 3.5 turns while right lock was only 3. my friend adjusted the limiter on the left it's now almost even


as for the free play i have not experienced it yet on my unit. but on my 83 w126 before it was reduced by adjusting at the steering box.

oil seals are cheap but the parts that need to be removed before you get to the oil seal are many so labor costs are high

[Jo A.]

no idea on the prices of the parts and labor for conversion.

but i don't think it would just last 2 years, well it also depends on how the previous owner used/abused and maintained the as for

uneven turning radius is due to the limiter. maybe some mechanic before adjusted it. its a simple fix that a good mechanic knows. no parts to be changed. my unit also had that problem left lock was 3.5 turns while right lock was only 3. my friend adjusted the limiter on the left it's now almost even


as for the free play i have not experienced it yet on my unit. but on my 83 w126 before it was reduced by adjusting at the steering box.

oil seals are cheap but the parts that need to be removed before you get to the oil seal are many so labor costs are high

Thanks for the info. Good to know the steering issues are a simple fix.

Another thing I noticed on the test drive is that there is a noise during acceleration under load. It sounds like a constant "tick tick tick" during acceleration. Kind of like an old volkswagen beetle during acceleration. There is no sound when you idle or when you rev the engine while on neutral. It's only when under load that the sound comes out. What do you guys think it is?

I'll have to do a complete service and change all the fluids of the car when I buy it. The previous owner is a woman so I assume she doesn't know about changing the axle/differential and transfer case fluids. She mentioned all she did was the basic oil change and spark plug replacement. So its change all fluids and drain the radiator and refill with distilled water. I'm gonna have to change the oil to a quality fully synthetic as well if she has been using cheap oils. Have to change the timing belt and water pump as well to be sure.

I really hope the transmission lasts a few years more so I have time to atleast do some mods to the vitara like audio setup, snorkel, and 2 or 3 inch suspension lift before having to worry about the transmission.

[impulzz]

the tick tick sound on heavy acceleration is "tope" my unit does it too. it's due to the e10 fuel we have. also use 95 octane. anything less will result to low milage and low engine power.

when i got my unit, it had a cracked radiator top. lucky i was able to get one from denso in banawe. a few weeks later water pump leaked. so my friend recommended to also change the oil seals, timing belt and tensioner bearing as these were already out when they changed the water pump.

also all the shocks were shot, front struts cost 6k each, so i just had it refilled 4 years and they are still good. the rears are 800 each KYB so went brand new.

[Jo A.]

Hopefully it is just the fuel and not the transmission or engine.

Does anybody know of any shops that specialize in vitaras in the makati, ortigas, or libis areas? I usually take my cars to autotecnika or bridgestone at the fort I was wondering if they are good enough or if it's better to take the vitara to a specialized shop.

[Jo A.]

Do any of you know where the engine number is stamped on the block?
I need to verify the data on the cr is correct.

[impulzz]

don't know any shop in those areas, but your suki shop can handle a vitara.

as for the engine number it's on the left side where the block meets the tranny near the down pipe of the exhaust.

[impulzz]

chassis number is by the front wheels. its on both the sides left and right front wheels.

[Jo A.]

don't know any shop in those areas, but your suki shop can handle a vitara.

as for the engine number it's on the left side where the block meets the tranny near the down pipe of the exhaust.

Thanks. I will look for it tomorrow when I finally buy the Vitara.

[Jo A.]

Bought the vitara today. Going to bring it to speedyfix for the Royal Purple treatment.

Thanks impulzz for all the help.

[impulzz]

no problem. congrats on the purchase.

i use motul full syn, sabay mo na other fluids. and add a grounding kit or have the original ground points cleaned.

[vitbox]

san po makakabili ng rubber sa mga door ng vitara jlx? gusto ko ng palitan medyo luma n.

[impulzz]

try olympia in araneta or links in banawe

[Jo A.]

Good day again vitara bros.

Been using my 2nd hand vitara for a week now and have found all the hidden defects the previous owner didn't want me to find out. Engine and tranny are okay the problem is with the severe rust on the area just below each door. I dont know what the area is called but it is covered by a plastic cover so I pressume water gets in and rots the metal inside. Based on my initial test the area most likely needs to be cut out and replaced by new metal. Parts of the paint show bubbles and most likely need to be scraped of rust and repainted. The previous owner parked the car outside exposed to the rain for years which is probably why there is so much external rust.

Do you guys know of a cheap but reliable body shop that can replace/remove the rusted panels and repaint them as well? I usually take my cars to The Wet Look but the whole process would cost about 60k. Had a rough estimate from Ziebart and it was even more expensive at around 80+k. So Im looking for a relatively cheap body repair and paint shop that does a very good job at making sure the rust is removed and panels welded and painted properly. Anybody know of any in the areas near Makati or Paranaque? If not I am willing to go as far as QC as long as it's a tried and tested shop that does good work.

[impulzz]

think you're referring to the running boards. matrabaho nga gawin yun. but i don't know any body shops i those areas.

[rpfronty]

you can have your running boards repaired at filmar along katipunan ave. call them at 439 8759. had mine done there, they have repaired a lot of vit running boards.

another hidden rust prone area is the bottom portion of the rear door, where the rubber strip is attached. pull it out ans see if there is rust...

[kenn.garcia]

Hi guys,

While driving, my temperature gauge suddenly went up and I heard a hissing sound under the hood. When I checked it, there was a leak sa hose which goes into the engine. It seems to serve as passage for water. Radiator was drained too. Check engine light glared up. For a temporary fix, I bought duct tape sa hardware and patched the small hose leak. Was able to get home naman pero the check-engine light is still on.

Well I haven't really replaced the hose yet but would you guys know if there's a problem apart from the punctured hose?

Thanks,
/Kenn

[kenn.garcia]

Hello again,

Been trying to find the website link I saw here before sa tsikot na may complete reference to Vitara JLX parts. Tried to read back on this thread pero di ko na po makita. You might have bookmarked it on your PC's. Pa share naman po. Thanks!

[baker123]

Hi guys,

While driving, my temperature gauge suddenly went up and I heard a hissing sound under the hood. When I checked it, there was a leak sa hose which goes into the engine. It seems to serve as passage for water. Radiator was drained too. Check engine light glared up. For a temporary fix, I bought duct tape sa hardware and patched the small hose leak. Was able to get home naman pero the check-engine light is still on.

Well I haven't really replaced the hose yet but would you guys know if there's a problem apart from the punctured hose?

Thanks,
/Kenn

hi kenn. radiator hose with holes doesnt mean theres more problem with the engine. it could just mean the hose is already weak or just punctured.

replace your hose as soon as possible. the water in the engine is very important to avoid overheating and doing damage or more damage in the engine.

as for the check engine light. after filling up the radiator with water. try removing the ecu fuse for a minute or more. or remove the batter ground or positive for more than that. then attach again. it should reset the check engine light. but, if it still lights up after. you may have more problems than just missing radiator water. hth.