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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Sidekick, Vitara, Geo Tracker (Gen. 1 Platform) 1989-1998 => Topic started by: boomer35 on December 05, 2011, 06:29:16 AM

Title: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 05, 2011, 06:29:16 AM
Hello all, I have a 1990 Tracker 4x4 1.6 8V with 192k miles.  I had two questions for you gurus out there.  The first is the infamous 1.6 8V rattle.  My warm idle speed sensor, the one that sits off to the side of the TB above the EGR makes an annoying rattling sound.  I replaced it several months ago with a new one from Southwest Suzuki, with no help.  I am positive that this is the part that is making the sound.  I only found a couple of threads that addressed this issue, but I know there are dozens out there.  Is it possible to remove this part and still get decent MPG and driveability?  Has anyone found a decent fix for this?

My next question is about valves.  My valves started ticking pretty bad here lately.  I went in and adjusting all of them to spec, but still have a tick somewhere in the back four (closest to cab).  I currently use 10W-30 oil.  Would you recommend adjusting to tighter/looser tolerances to see if that helps, or do I need to start looking into replacing parts here?  I don't have much experience working with valves, so I'm using this as a learning experience. 
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: Gumby on December 05, 2011, 03:59:34 PM
Sure it's a valve tick and not an exhaust leak?
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 05, 2011, 05:39:14 PM
Pretty sure, I used my poor man's stethoscope (long screwdriver), and I'm fairly certain the sound was under the valve cover.  I will recheck for exhaust leaks once I get a chance to dive under the hood again, just to be certain.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 07, 2011, 06:41:38 AM
Definitely not an exhaust leak.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: Drone637 on December 08, 2011, 06:23:43 PM
We removed the sensor completely on BRD HNTR's rig.  Didn't see any change, but we did put a V6 in later that year anyway.

How bad is the valve noise?  Might just be a noisy engine, my 16v has a pretty good tick to it.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: ZukiRod on December 08, 2011, 06:50:59 PM
I can't seem to figure out why my brake caliper bracket is rubbing against my rotor ! Any ideas? It's my everyday driver so plz help
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 09, 2011, 04:21:49 AM
The valve tick isn't super loud, just enough to be be annoying.  I just can't stand knocks and pings :) 

I just found the post about cutting the wires to the ISC.  I saw that someone had luck with adjusting the hot and cold idle screws, have any of you ever tried that method?  I'm gonna fiddle with that this weekend and see what it does.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: Drone637 on December 09, 2011, 11:46:58 AM
I can't seem to figure out why my brake caliper bracket is rubbing against my rotor ! Any ideas? It's my everyday driver so plz help

Is it a drag or just a light rub?  You might want to start a new thread on this issue.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: Drone637 on December 09, 2011, 12:22:29 PM
The valve tick isn't super loud, just enough to be be annoying.  I just can't stand knocks and pings :) 

I just found the post about cutting the wires to the ISC.  I saw that someone had luck with adjusting the hot and cold idle screws, have any of you ever tried that method?  I'm gonna fiddle with that this weekend and see what it does.

Ah, that might just be the engine.  :D  Mine has a nice tick to it depending on how it is feeling that day.

Not sure about the hot and cold idle though, we just cut the wires once we found out what was causing the noise and never bothered to fix it.  I'll see what I can dig up.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: bentparts on December 10, 2011, 07:12:17 AM
These 16V engines do tick some, especially when warm. Lots of things moving around in the head and no hydraulics to dampen the sounds. The only time mine runs quiet is when it's cold at first start up. Always ticks at idle when warm and I've adjusted the valves several times to very exacting measurements. They're just noisy engines I think.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 10, 2011, 02:25:19 PM
That may very well be it.  I might just be expecting a little too much out of an engine with 192000 miles on it! 
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: talonxracer on December 10, 2011, 05:24:36 PM
Solid roller rocker valvetrains are notorious for being noisey beasts.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 20, 2011, 09:07:42 PM
Well, the ISC is "fixed".  I fiddled with the idle screws for about an hour with no luck, so I just cut the wires and magically the noise went away.  The odd thing is that the ISC didn't rattle at all when I took it off the TB to check it (shaking it), and it's a newish unit from SW Suzuki, so I have no idea what was making go crazy.  My ECU seems to be fine, the check light comes on and goes off when I start up, so I dunno.  Still working on that other tick.  Engine noises drive me crazy!!!
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: bentparts on December 22, 2011, 03:54:06 AM
I run 10/40 in mine seems to help a bit with noise in a " slightly loose " engine.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: talonxracer on December 22, 2011, 06:05:39 AM
The rattle in the ISC is not a loose part, but the valve accuating within it's housing.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 22, 2011, 02:23:59 PM
Any idea what makes it so loud when it's actuating?  The original part that I replaced rattled freely when it was off the vehicle, so I figured that's how they sounded when they were dead.

For the valve tick, I added a little 30w to the crankcase, which seemed to help.  I normally run 10w-30, but will either switch to 10w-40 or straight 30w next time I change oil. 
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: talonxracer on December 22, 2011, 05:21:30 PM
Do NOT use straight 30w, it is far too thick at startup unless you live in the Sahara in the summer, stick with a 10w max, either 10w30 or 10w40, I use 5w40 during the winter and 10w40 during the summer.
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: boomer35 on December 23, 2011, 06:22:46 PM
Thanks for the warning!  10w-40 it is!
Title: Re: Two questions
Post by: HERC99 on January 10, 2012, 07:40:03 PM
i run 5w 30 n it runs better 10w30 or 40