Looking for more info on teh GV XL-7 V-6 Timing Chain tensioner issues.

What models were effected?

What is the Fix (New Chain / Tensioner and Guides)?

How bad is it to make the repair?

Does the tensioner when it goes bad starver the engine for oil?

Did they resolve this issue on later models?

I have Lots & Lots of questions.

Looking for more info on teh GV XL-7 V-6 Timing Chain tensioner issues.

What modelsa were effected?

all seems to hear less from people with  03  and up

What is the Fix (New Chain / Tensioner and Guides)?

Replace #1 guide

How bad is it to make the repair? 

To fix you need to acces to the front of the engen so theirs a bite of stuff to remove

Does the tensioner when it goes bad starver the engine for oil?

other way around starved tensioners go bad from not using 5w30 oil.  If it were to let go it would through the chain off and that about it.

Did they resolve this issue on later models?

they done something like I said before seem to have gotten better after 03.

I have Lots & Lots of questions.

Well ask a way 

George

I've made a new post giving more information.

Basically I've bought an 04 engine to go into my 02  GV XL-7

I'm interested in details that will help me to give the  04  Engine a long happy life.


A faulty tensioner was the demise of the 73K 02 GV XL-7 I bought.

Finally got around to buying an engine and installing it.  Old engine the tensioner failuer took out the crank.

GOt it on the road & State inspection today.  The old gas from July / August of 06 still runs fine...   

I was wondering what are the best source for parts (Chains guides tensioner). 

Has anyone found a silver bullet for correcting the timing chain tensioner issue? 

My new $75 NAPA water pump failed 13 months in.  My chain and tensioner are raising hell ~ so I'll take care of replacing these while I'm in there. 

I've gotta do an AC compressor too. 

With under 100k miles and so much multiple parts failure I've gotta say I'm not impressed.

ANd it has only been a daily drive for wifey ~ Art Lilly "NC Zuk's" Wife was the original owner. 

On the old engine the tensioner failure took out the crank?  That's a little unusual - how did the crank go - snapped?  (if so which journal did it let go at), bearing failure?  I recognise that post is a year old, but I'm curious.  Part of the reason I'm curious, is that the known causes of timing chain failure (essentially a lack of proper lubrication - see below - the tensioner is hydraulic and is heavily dependent on the availability of clean oil at the right pressure) can also cause crank failure (if taken to extremes) - I can't help but wonder if the one caused the other, or, neither was the cause, both are effects resulting from the same cause.

There IS a "silver bullet" for the timing chain tensioner issues - would you believe - regular oil changes at 3000 mile intervals, and the use of the correct grade of oil (probably 5w30/10w30 for your climate) and a good filter (my preference is the OEM Suzuki filter). 

As far as parts go - I also have a preference for Suzuki Genuine Parts - but you should be able to pick up decent quality replacements from Parts Dinosaur.

Last thing - I know folks who have 200+, close to 300k miles on these things, with very few problems - and from what they tell me, proper maintenance is the key.

Original issue:
Tensioner failure took out the guide and nylon guide fragments made there way into the oil pump hanging the relief valve.  This ate up a rod bearing ~ though I do not recall which one.  I bough the truck with the engine in a box, so I had limited involvement in the failure / diagnostics.

Currrent issue:   While I agree on your synopsis (5w30 and regular 3k oil changes).  No one is gonna be able to achieve that starting with a 10 yr old truck. I've got the hand I'm dealt and will start over from scratch.  

My big concern is this ~ ~ ~ I know Zucruisers did his NEW 2.7L timing set (In his Tracker based comp buggy) using non OEM parts only to have a tensioner failure in 3 months time. I'm looking for a way to make this the last time I have to go in for chain / tensioner issues.    

We've always run 5w30 as I knew of the problem before we ran the truck.  5w30 made no difference on my 50k junk yard engine. My tensioner originally seemed satisfactory but grew loud and more contrary beginning at about 60 days back into regular service.  

AS I understand there is a TSB and an updated Suzuki tensioner ~ this is a requirement for good chain life.  

I was told be a Suzuki service writer in Richmond, KY and another in Grand Rapids, MI that the best solution was whatever their fix was and then 3000 mile oil changes using 5w30 SYNTHETIC and quality filters.  I used 5w30 synthetic Mobil 1 or Valvoline and WIX filters myself.
Even on my 2.0L I4 I stick with the same stuff.  Heard the chains on these aren't a wonderful setup either.

Even on my 2.0L I4 I stick with the same stuff.  Heard the chains on these aren't a wonderful setup either.

They are very similar in concept & execution, and do suffer from the same issues.

I have a full set of genuine Suzuki chains, guides, tensioners etc. sitting on a shelf - I was going to change mine out about a year ago because I was starting to get the "cold start rattle" that signifies the beginning of trouble - but then I discovered that simply switching to the genuine Suzuki filter would silence it, and I've been using that ever since.  It costs a bit more, but I think it's worth it.

Whitfield - as I understand it there is a redesigned adjuster (not the tensioner), with finer teeth.  The adjuster pushes out the tensioner (which is really nothing more than a movable guide), and the finer teeth allow more, smaller adjustment steps.  When there is no (or low) oil pressure, the adjuster falls back to the last step, so smaller steps means less slack in the chain at any given time.

The TSB is attached.

Edit.  I tried to attach the TSB - for some reason it doesn't work .

This should link to it.  If that doesn't work try Google, the TSB number is TS 07 03014R2

Thanks for the TSB link ~

Any prefered source for Suzuki OEM. 

I called Hawk strictly Suzuki and spoke to William, I gave him a list of what I needed but have yet to hear back. 

Suzuki OEM parts are hard to come by around here.

If my local dealer doesn't have what I need, SouthWest Suzuki Motors in Texas would be my first choice.