Well,  I bought an 1800 sport a few weeks ago and it seems fine.  I phoned Hawk for a few spares, and was handed his condolances on a plate....ahh, the 1800 sport?  They're prone to failure....

OK, some engines are less rugged than others, and I am prepared to believe that the 1600 is better, given the length of time it had to evolve and be perfected... but that the 1800 is prone to failure makes little sense to me...

If it's true, then you chaps will know what it is that Hawk were getting at.  I asked if I should change timing gears and chain  "doesnt make any difference" was the reply.

I don't doubt that a short production run engine will have glitches, I would just really like to know what they are in advance so that I can do some preventative maintenance, if you know what I mean!  At 93,000 miles, with no failures so far, I wonder what was meant.....

Ant opinions?

Bobzuki said make sure to use 5-30 oil to
prevent timing chain stretch, I guess a
0-30 would work in a synthetic, but I don't know

Yep,  I read his link somewhere, sound advice, thanks.

I personally think that what you have been told is crap.

 Ã‚    I'm in the auto parts biz, new and used specializing in Import vehicles. The 1.8 is no more prone to failure than the 2.0L (same engine family) and they are getting well known for their reliability.
 Ã‚    The 1.8 is hard to get some parts for because it eas short production run...but as an engine I think it is comprable to most other Japanese engines of the type.
 Ã‚    I've seen a number of the J series 2.0L's a part and have been impressed with the beefiness of the engine and am building the pieces to convert my wifes 1.6 to a 2.0.

 Ã‚    I think one of our members..Suzuki 1.8 will back up everything I'm saying and he has had one for some time and from his reports is non to easy on it.

Zag

Cheers Zaggy!

This is the kind of inf-opinion I need.   Mabey Hawk's opinion comes from the amount of calls he gets and can't help with due to the relative rarity of the engines....   Still it's good to hear that this is no lemon (which fits with my gut feeling about it).

 

I had a sport for awhile. Great car, fun to drive. Mine ended up with a nasty oil leak.  At the time I had too many suzuki's and projects so I traded it in on a tow rig.  Other than the oil leak mine ran like a raped ape..

Did i hear 1.8?  These little things are bullet propf just like any suzuki engine. The main thing i find with these are aftermarket parts are next to void. I have 112k on mine and it runs like brand new. I just ripped into my friends 1.8 because of overheating and well thats another story but it ended  up being a faulty water pump. When i tore it apart i was amazed at how high tech these engine are and built really well. my friends has over 200k on his and with a new water pump and head gasket it will go another 100k now. if you want to know any mods which can be done let me know.

As with any engine, I think as long as you keep the oil changed, and keep it maintained it will last a long time.

Cheers all.


I am happy to hear that Suzuki1.8's freind has an elderly version, in good shape...Makes me 

Just one question...   How does Hutch how a raped ape runs? 

A previous life as a naturalist perhaps?