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1.6 liter, 16valve engine, Geo Tracker
Hi gang! Dne’ here with another blog on my 97 Geo Tracker! This one I’m going to title,
“while I’m at it!”
What does that mean! It means, while I’m at it, I need to fix/repair/upgrade whatever so I don’t have to go back and do it later! Hopefully!
I bought this tracker with 115,ooo miles. Of course the check engine light was on, and it was leaking oil everywhere! But in my mind, this little truck needed to be rescued! You know that cars have feelings and when they’re neglected, they’ll bite you in the butt!:) So, preventative maintenance is so important with every vehicle out there. When’s the last time you popped your hood? I think in the future, cars won’t even have access to the engine!
Here, the little engine that could, a 1.6 liter with 16 valves was in need of much attention! I”m just the person to do it too!
This pic with the radiator removed shows that everything is able to be gotten to. However, to get to the lower radiator hose and heater hose on the block deserves a few swearing words!
The crankshaft seal and camshaft seal were both leaking TERRIBLY! 🙁 But what’s bizarre, whoever was in the timing cover last replaced the timing belt, but not the seals! go figure!
The poor alternator was covers with smuck inside and out! Luckily, It wasn’t too bad to take apart and clean thoroughly, and saved 100 bucks vs. buying a rebuilt. I did take it to Oreilly’s to have it checked out and it worked fine!;) I’m proud to have saved a few dollars for once!:)
While I’m at it! the harmonic balancer was saying replace me with a Low Range off-road aluminum balancer! See, While I’m at it again! omg! But isn’t it neat!
Oh, and while I’m at it, I’ll replace the timing cover as well with a new one, and can’t settle for a black one, it needs to have some color!
Oh, here is the alternator ready to be put back in. Nice and clean! I did paint the pulley later on.
A comparison of the Low Range Off-road harmonic balancer and stock balancer.
This of course is the valve cover, and it’s pretty shabby looking isn’t it?
Amazing what a little paint will do! Have to do something about those letters though!
I took a small paint roller and painted the letters while followed by ceramic clear coat for a nice look.
This is the lower radiator hose assembly, two hoses with a weird splice in the middle.
Here I have my portable table out to get organized for the installation of EVERYTHING.
So, the finale finish for my little Tracker! It’s a presentable looking engine vs a drab looking engine;)
Let’s review what was installed: All heater hoses, radiator hoses, Radiator, Timing belt, water pump, camshaft/crankshaft seals, valve cover gasket, Low range harmonic balancer, AC/Alt belts, spark plugs, rotor, Thermostat housing, thermostat, Fuel pressure regulator, sealed the distributor housing to stop a leak, cleaned parts to paint~ I’m sure I’ve left something out! oh, a lot of cleaning to get greasy crap off of the frame! So, while I was at it, I saved some headaches down the road! 😉 If you should have any questions, please write!;)
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Jul, 25, 2013
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Hey Denee! I see you’re still at it. That Tracker is lucky to have you working on it.
;)Gary! You’re so kind, and so nice to see you name again! Yes, the little tracker deserves a break! These are such a neat little, I’m going to say a mini-SUV! How it became known as a truck is beyond me! Next few hundred bucks will be spent on the brakes, I bought some slotted performance rotors for the front, with new calipers, it’s exciting seeing the UPS guy show up with boxes~ I always forget what I order, so it’s like a surprise when I open a box! Gary, have a great day, Thank you for stopping in! I appreciate it!;) dne’
Gonna be the best looking Tracker on the road!
I’m just gonna “keep on Trackin!” 😉
Hey, good looking engine. Hose and belt replacements is a great investment. Some people wait for a hose to crack, its better to change while you are at it, not while you are trying to drive crosscountry, 1000 miles from home.
Hi Sergio, nice to see you back again! Thank you for the compliments!;) I hope this little engine is good for another 100,000! dne’
ps: do you have a tracker too?
No, I have a 1966 VW bug, and a 1989 Silverado 2wD truck, some bikes and lots of projects but Trackers and Suzuki little truck jeeps are very popular in Costa Rica where I live, so I have seen many, some geared up with snorkels, big wheels, flairs, winchers, you name it. They even have a four wheel drive defeat contest on a dirt and mud track, divided by 4 cilinder, 6 cilinder and over 8 cilinder categories, and many trackers have won on their categories with a few modifications I admit.
Wow Sergio! Well I guess you’re going to have to get a Tracker or Sidekick to add to your collection! but that 66 VW~ too cool! It’s nice to know the little Trackers/sidekicks are alive and well around the world! I’m glad you shared that with me! My husband and I were in Costa Rico about a 1 1/2 ago on vacation. Spent time in Tamarindo and around a volcano(forget the name), But it’s a fabulous country and we will go back there again! If we do, we’ll look you up!;) dne’
I will be glad to ride you guys. Just let me know in advance and get a couple days off my job to do so.
😉 Well Sergio, it may be a while before we get there, but when it should happen, I’ll be sure to let you know and take you up on your offer;) Back to the garage!;)
can you please share a link for the timing chain cover i need a new one also because whoever put it back on tightened to much and broke the seal and warped it beyond repair,,im tearing into mine, im having the same trouble you had with the leaks,, thanks for posting all this it really gives me a perspective of what i need to do because i am no mechanic by any means, mine is a suzuki sidekick 96 model 2 wheeled drive but my engine is the same,, ty!
Hi Tony! Yeah, these little engines just need a little TLC now and then;) The place that I purchased my timing cover and harmonic balancer is http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com. The parts will probably be listed under Suzuki, but they are the same parts. While you have it apart, be sure to replace as many seals as you feel comfortable with. It’s not really a hard job, just take your time. I had the factory service manual which helped a great deal. If you have any other questions feel free to ask! 😉 I sold my Tracker a few weeks ago, just have too many projects and too little room!:(
dne’;)