AboutDavid Scott Expertise Questions regarding the advisability of different kinds of modifications to Samurai/Sidekick/Tracker or various kinds of off-road usage. I will not attempt to do more than provide links for questions about other Suzukis such as Vitara, Grand Vitara, etc. I may or may not give generalized advice for newer models, but have no experience regarding newer models, and will not attempt to give more than the most generalized answers for questions regarding vehicles later than '93 manufacture. I will however, if possible, provide a link that will help you contact a professional in your region.
Experience I've been a professional mechanic for over thirty five years, live in the center of the Rocky Mountains, and have been active in exploring the old mining/4wd roads for decades. I've specific experience with Samurai modification, because that's my personal vehicle.
Education/Credentials Thirty five years of advanced, intensive classes for experienced professionals only. Manufacturer seminars and training classes averaging four to six weeks per year. I'm now a professional heavy duty fleet mechanic, and no longer deal with issues such as MIL (check engine) lights
Expert: David Scott Date: 5/24/2008 Subject: 1997 Suzuki Sidekick
Question QUESTION: Car does not want to start. It gets close in starting, but no cigar. I've changed egr valve and solenoid. I also put in a new throttle positioning sensor. Tune up done. Engine cleaned of carbon. Repositioned Distributor cap. I'm thinking head gasket or bad rings. Can you help?
ANSWER: Cam timing? Could it have jumped at the timing belt? Have you checked compression? What about a leak down test?
scotty
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QUESTION: Checked Compression and timing belt and cam timing. All are well. We changed Head gasket still same problem. We are now looking at possibly the distributor neck. We have spark and it is blue, but it is a weak blue. We have gas as well. Maybe spark is not strong enough to ignite fuel, possibly. In all, we have gas,compression and spark. What else could it be?
ANSWER: A flooded motor sometimes will not start until the oil is changed,and the plugs are replaced I assume the spark is roughly correct as to timing. What about plug wire resistance? What is the actual voltage at the coil? There are inexpensive testers for that.
scotty
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QUESTION: How can you tell if a fuel pressure regulator is bad?
Answer There's usually a port on the injector log(the transverse pipe that supplies the injectors with pressurized fuel). measure the pressure with an appropriate gauge. Usually the pressure regulator has a hose that connects to the vacuum of the intake manifold to change pressure according to engine load. Low vacuum - higher pressure, high vacuum - lower pressure. This is to ensure that the pressure difference between the manifold and the pressure supply remains constant. Just connect the gauge, run the fuel pump (crank the motor) and see if the pressure is within specs.
scotty
