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1.8 with 170,000 miles

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Offline bandit86

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1.8 with 170,000 miles
« on: April 02, 2017, 07:05:30 PM »
Found one for 300 bucks.  Doesn't start. Many known issues with the 1.8? I'm thinking of a long wheelbase rockstar projecr
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Online fordem

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2017, 07:10:55 PM »
For $300, buy it.

But be aware - it's a completely different vehicle to the 1.6 - everything underneath the body is different - the 1.8 engine is essentially a short stroke version of the 2.0 used in the later Vitaras & Trackers
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2017, 07:58:05 PM »
Common issues with 1.8s are the timing chains jump time and destroys the valves and probably pistons (interference engine). If it doesn't start/run, I would want to know why before I paid any $$$$. It can get real expensive, real fast, if you have to replace valves, pistons, timing chains, timing gears, tensioners, etc.
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Offline rasmeidirtrider

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2017, 02:04:30 AM »
Don't ever underestimate the 1.8 engine!
If the oil is there, it just keeps going!
'96 (07/95) US imported Sidekick Sport, 16V, 1.8L, 4 auto, 4x4, 4dr, A/C, ABS, 100K miles, VIN: JS3TD21V6T4101985, bone stock, except 215/70R/16.

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2017, 07:00:04 AM »
Don't ever underestimate the 1.8 engine!
If the oil is there, it just keeps going!

No, really it doesn't. If the wrong weight of oil is used, that is what affects the cam chain tensioners and causes them to wear. Once they wear enough, they won't hold tension on the cam chains properly and that is when the chains jump teeth and the valves hit the pistons...this issue is well documented across the suzuki boards.
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Offline rasmeidirtrider

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2017, 10:21:25 PM »
I wish mine to break, but it just refuses to do so since 2004!
'96 (07/95) US imported Sidekick Sport, 16V, 1.8L, 4 auto, 4x4, 4dr, A/C, ABS, 100K miles, VIN: JS3TD21V6T4101985, bone stock, except 215/70R/16.

Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2017, 07:54:36 AM »
If it doesn't run, it is most likely the a timing chain issue.  If that is the case, it means an engine replacement. 

The other issue with the 1.8 is that aluminum bracket for the fan tensioner breaks.  My fan belt would squeak and I would adjust it and then one day it wouldn't tighten.  I switched to an electric fan setup.

Mine has 256,000 and was running strong, right up until the lady ran a red light at 40 mph in a full size Cherokee.

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Online fordem

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2017, 08:56:03 PM »
If it doesn't run, it is most likely the a timing chain issue.

This is what's called jumping to a conclusion - it could just as easily be an electrical or fuel related issue.

The timing chains used on the J series engines is not inherently unreliable - treated right, it will outlast the rest of the engine - of course - there is no evidence to say that it has been treated right - but - there is also no evidence saying that it hasn't.
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Offline olija

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2017, 09:47:45 PM »
The key word in fordem's post is EVIDENCE. Look for the evidence! Take the oil filter off and cut the end off it with a zip cut, then take a knife and cut the filter element open like a big scroll. Examine the element closely, look for metallic debris in it. That would make me suspicious of a timing chain/guide failure if I found silver bits in the filter. All that crap's been running through the engine up to the point it was trapped in the filter- and on many engine/filter designs, once they become restricted to a certain point, they automatically bypass so the engine doesn't die from lack of lube...the only problem being the lube passing through the engine is totally contaminated so it dies anyway.

I would also like to add that just because it's a 1.8L and doesn't run, you can't automatically conclude it's a timing chain failure. There's literally dozens of other possibilities. More info would be useful as well.

 
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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2017, 06:43:07 AM »
Found one for 300 bucks.  Doesn't start. Many known issues with the 1.8? I'm thinking of a long wheelbase rockstar projecr
For $300, buy it.

But be aware - it's a completely different vehicle to the 1.6 - everything underneath the body is different - the 1.8 engine is essentially a short stroke version of the 2.0 used in the later Vitaras & Trackers

It is a good deal for a project vehicle as it was being considered for.  Fordem hasn't projected what could be, think it might be, or shouldn't be, just that it is a different vehicle than the 1.6L.

What happened with it?
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Online fordem

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2017, 07:21:18 AM »
Fordem hasn't projected what could be, think it might be, or shouldn't be, just that it is a different vehicle than the 1.6L.

I actually have two posts in the thread - the second is a "gripe" where folks are assuming that because a 1.8 engine is a non-runner it has to be timing chain related - a position that I do not agree with.

I grew up around engine with timing chains that rarely, if ever, gave trouble - the J series engines are different in that the chains are longer, have different tensioners and run through guides, but, some things never change and timing chains are typically quite reliable - they rarely "stretch" (being made of steel they actually can't stretch), jump teeth, or need periodic replacement as timing belts do, but, because of the hydraulic tensioners neglected oil changes can creates issues and cause premature failure.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2017, 07:18:50 AM »
Fordem hasn't projected what could be, think it might be, or shouldn't be, just that it is a different vehicle than the 1.6L.

I actually have two posts in the thread - the second is a "gripe" where folks are assuming that because a 1.8 engine is a non-runner it has to be timing chain related - a position that I do not agree with.

I grew up around engine with timing chains that rarely, if ever, gave trouble - the J series engines are different in that the chains are longer, have different tensioners and run through guides, but, some things never change and timing chains are typically quite reliable - they rarely "stretch" (being made of steel they actually can't stretch), jump teeth, or need periodic replacement as timing belts do, but, because of the hydraulic tensioners neglected oil changes can creates issues and cause premature failure.
Yes,  It may have been any of the reasons listed, or something entirely different, just as easily. 
I am more interested in if he got it and then what.

93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline NymanHo

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Re: 1.8 with 170,000 miles
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2017, 11:29:09 PM »
For $300, buy it.

But be aware - it's a completely different vehicle to the https://www.grosseteste.com/bathmate-x40-review-results 1.6 - everything underneath the Bathmate X40 body is different - the 1.8 engine is essentially a short stroke version of the 2.0 used in the later Vitaras & Trackers

Sounds like a bargain to me despite the high mileage.
« Last Edit: September 18, 2017, 07:23:54 AM by NymanHo »