Got a 2000 tracker with the 2.0L - about 90,000 miles on it.  When I bought it the valve train seemed noisy but just kept driving it.  My wife and I had put about 10,000 miles on it between us then one day she was driving it and she said it made a sound like metal braking and the engine quit.  I think the timing chain broke.  Is this an interference engine?  Does anybody know a good place in central california to have my engine rebuilt?

Yes - it IS an interference engine - and I think you might be better off looking for a good used engine, rather than rebuilding that one - if only you had asked rather than just kept driving - chances are the only parts you needed to change was the #1 timing chain adjuster and the gasket.  Now you're looking at valves, chains, guides maybe even the head - you let it go from an easy fix to a VERY expensive one.

Yes, I agree, very stupid of me to keep driving it.  How much should I expect to pay for a used engine?  What should I look for in a used engine?  Where should I look for a used engine?  Where can I find new parts for a tracker engine (like a new timing chain for my new to me used engine)?

car-part.com and ebay for timing chain kits

FWIW, my upper timing chain broke while the engine was at an idle, and I replaced the entire timing set with one from ebay for about $90.  Engine started right up, with (factory spec) 199psi across all 4 cylinders.   5000 miles later, she still runs like a champ.

This is just my way of thinking - OK? - eBay is a large gathering of independent & unknown vendors selling merchandise of unknown origin and quality - you can get great stuff one day and absolute crap the next.

For parts, try www.partdinosaur.com - or - you can get genuine suzuki at discounted proces from SW Suzuki Motors - oemsuzukiparts.com.

narnwv - consider yourself very, very lucky - it happens, but I believe most folks end up bending at least three valves.

A place out of Memphis, TN:  $1325 for a 2 liter with under 70K miles.  98+% customer satisfaction rating.  They state they truck ship for $150.  One year part warranty.  Additional warranties available.  They state the engine comes with intake and exhaust manifolds too.  If you can do the swap yourself, you would be in it for +/- $1500.  If you have a mechanic shop swap it out, you'd probably have to add another $600-$700 to the total cost.  Probably give you a better leg to stand on if you encounter a parts problem with it.  

Now... was this used engine taken care of (the oil changed regularly with the correct type and amount of oil)?  I don't know.

On the other hand, most garage/shops would charge you in the range of $1500 just to machine and rebuild the head, clean out the oil pan and replace the timing chain and components on your engine... if that was the ONLY damage to the engine.  Chances are if the timing components failed at 90-100K your truck was probably rode hard and put away wet more than few times with little required periodic maintenance.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Engine-4Cyl-2-0L-2003-2004-Chevy-Tracker-/250394708812?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a4cb00b4c

X2 on using partsdinosaur for replacement parts.  Reasonable prices and decent quality.  User friendly service too.

You could probably get $150 out of the sale of the extra exhaust manifold too.  The exhaust manifold on these 2 liter engines are built like a shorty header and made out of tubing versus a cast manifold.

Thanks for all the replys.  I will check out partsdinosaur.  I plan on doing all the work myself and am now leaning twards the used engine.  I figure while I have the new to me used engine still out of the vehicle I will replace the clutch and the timing set.  What else should I replace that is easy to get to with the engine out of the vehicle?

Rear main seal.