Hi,

Just picked up a Suzuki Sidekick today.

I once drove an SJ410 back in NZ, it was actually my first "car" and I loved the thing. Drove it hard and often and it never gave up (even remember power washing the interior with a water blaster once... everything still worked )

Well, 10 years later I decided to go looking for a new all-weather commuter, and my search brought me to a Suzuki Sidekick. I was originally looking for a Samurai since they reminded me so much of the SJ410, but in the end a deal I had arranged fell through and I decided it just didn't have the power for a 45 mile daily highway commute... hence the Sidekick.

I should note I live at 4000ft in the sierra nevadas, so I have quite some snow to deal with in the winter. That is the biggest challenge and let's hope the Sidekick works out! I have been using a tired old 1989 toy pickup to get around in the bad weather up until now and well... it was time for a change.

This sidekick has the 1.8 motor (G18 I believe) and I have not had much luck finding a Factory Service Manual for that year sidekick that covers this motor. Does anyone know of one?

Anyway, just thought I'd say hi.

No idea, but WELCOME 
where are you located?

No idea, but WELCOME 
where are you located?

Pollock Pines, CA

Had a flick through the user manual last night and apparently the motor's proper name is J18A

Will have to do another search for documentation on that name.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, service info for the J18A is very hard to find - I believe it comes in the form of a supplement to the original SideKick manual.

A couple of points to be aware of - the SideKick Sport has significant differences when compared to the original SideKicks - it's a wider chassis, with similar but different suspension - in short - parts do NOT interchange - so be very careful when purchasing parts.

In the three years the SideKick Sports were produced there were also changes made - ignition coils (there are four, one per plug) and ECUs are different - the earlier models (96 & 97 I think) have coilpacks with two wire plugs, and use a separate ignitor module mounted on the firewall, the later '98 uses a coilpack with three wires and the ignitor built-in to it.

The engine is very similar to the J20A used in the '99 & later Vitaras - the documentation for these is much easier to locate and you may be able to use it as a guide.

I have nothing against the SideKick Sport of itself, but the limited production period and the changes made within that period can make maintaining the vehicle quite challenging, so if the opportunity presents itself - consider getting rid of the SideKick Sport and replacing it with a '99 or later Vitara or Tracker - those were available with the 2.0 J20A engine and both service documentation and parts are MUCH easier to get your hands on.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, service info for the J18A is very hard to find - I believe it comes in the form of a supplement to the original SideKick manual.

A couple of points to be aware of - the SideKick Sport has significant differences when compared to the original SideKicks - it's a wider chassis, with similar but different suspension - in short - parts do NOT interchange - so be very careful when purchasing parts.

In the three years the SideKick Sports were produced there were also changes made - ignition coils (there are four, one per plug) and ECUs are different - the earlier models (96 & 97 I think) have coilpacks with two wire plugs, and use a separate ignitor module mounted on the firewall, the later '98 uses a coilpack with three wires and the ignitor built-in to it.

The engine is very similar to the J20A used in the '99 & later Vitaras - the documentation for these is much easier to locate and you may be able to use it as a guide.

I have nothing against the SideKick Sport of itself, but the limited production period and the changes made within that period can make maintaining the vehicle quite challenging, so if the opportunity presents itself - consider getting rid of the SideKick Sport and replacing it with a '99 or later Vitara or Tracker - those were available with the 2.0 J20A engine and both service documentation and parts are MUCH easier to get your hands on.

Saw a couple of later model Vitaras and both sellers would not budge below $5k so gave up on that option.

J18A vs J20A = bore/stroke difference only?

Found this.

http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1997-Suzuki-Sidekick-Sport-1800-Repair-Shop-Manual-Supplement-Original-P17414.aspx

Not quite the free PDF I was hoping for but at least it's out there...

For what it's worth, I want to keep the drivetrain on this one stock and reliable.

Hi and welcome,

Regarding bore/stroke question. The bore is identical on 1.8L and 2.0L, it's the stroke that is different. I checked with the local Suzuki dealership were I am and most partnumbers regarding the engine are interchangeable on both engines. The engine block itself has the same part number according to the dealer. Pistons should fit both engines. I believe the head is interchangeable as well, but the intake and electronics is a bit different.

Performance parts are scarce if any. As some have pointed out, the Sport has much more in common with the newer vehicles.

Hope this helps you out in some way and do post if you run into any performance parts.

Hi and welcome,

Regarding bore/stroke question. The bore is identical on 1.8L and 2.0L, it's the stroke that is different. I checked with the local Suzuki dealership were I am and most partnumbers regarding the engine are interchangeable on both engines. The engine block itself has the same part number according to the dealer. Pistons should fit both engines. I believe the head is interchangeable as well, but the intake and electronics is a bit different.

Performance parts are scarce if any. As some have pointed out, the Sport has much more in common with the newer vehicles.

Hope this helps you out in some way and do post if you run into any performance parts.

That's an interesting bit of information - I checked - and the 1.8 SideKick Sport block & head are definitely NOT the same part numbers as those from a 2.0 Vitara - but - I dug a little further and the block & head from a 1.8 Esteem are the same number as the 2.0 Vitara.

The Sidekick Sport's 1.8 designation is the J18A.

Perhaps the Esteem is the G18 (or some variant)?

I did find a Chiltons manual at the local Kragen and it does appear to offer quite decent coverage of all Sidekick years, including the later 90's Sports and the 1.8.

Nope - the 1.8 Esteem also uses the J18A.

As far as I'm concerned, the Suzuki G-series engines are the 3 cylinder 1.0 litre G10, and three 4 cylinder engines - a 1.3 litre G13, a 1.5 litre G15, & the 1.6 litre G16 - the G18 does not exist, but is a myth that resulted from a typographical error that has been copied & repeated ad-nauseum.

And - oh - these are all in-line engines - there is no V4 G16 engine, although several websites also claim that it exists.

also, use only 5w30w synthetic oil, it will help prolong the life of the timing chain tensioners.

Thanks for the info all.

I do have a strange rattly/clattery/gravely sound that emits from the engine while at idle and only when up to temp. I have no idea if it is the sound of a chain/tensioner/adjuster issue but it sounds ominous.

Oil pressure light is not on at any point, however I have yet to hook up a proper elec sender to check specific pressure under different engine speeds.

The sound immediately goes away with any throttle input and is also not present when the motor is cold.

That sounds like the chain tensioner not getting enough oil
pressure to keep the chain snug at idle.

What weight oil is in the truck, or have you changed it since you
got the truck?

I hear that using the wrong weight oil will cause chain stretch from
too much pressure, and to always use the 5w-30 oil that the factory
recommends

Wild

That sounds like the chain tensioner not getting enough oil
pressure to keep the chain snug at idle.

What weight oil is in the truck, or have you changed it since you
got the truck?

I hear that using the wrong weight oil will cause chain stretch from
too much pressure, and to always use the 5w-30 oil that the factory
recommends

Wild

5w30 synth as of yesterday.

Although this guy disagrees vehemently...http://www.suzuki-forums.com/suzuki-sidekick-escudo-vitara-geo-tracker/40484-timing-chain-rattle-clatter-only-idle.html#post239625

That sounds like the chain tensioner not getting enough oil
pressure to keep the chain snug at idle.

What weight oil is in the truck, or have you changed it since you
got the truck?

I hear that using the wrong weight oil will cause chain stretch from
too much pressure, and to always use the 5w-30 oil that the factory
recommends

Wild

Close - using too heavy an oil causes the tensioner to not "pump up" immediately on a cold start, which allows the chain to run loose and slap for the first few minutes of operation and that causes the guides to wear, and things just get worse from there.

5w30 is a little on the light side - it's fine if you're in winter type temperatures, 10w30 is what's recommended, or even a 10w40 if you're in a warm climate where it's over 90*F on a regular basis.