About David Scott Expertise Questions or advice regarding Suzuki 4wd vehicles as regards repair or modifications for offroad use.
Experience Been a professional mechanic over 30 yrs I've owned and modified 2 Sidekicks, and 3 Samurais, one of which I still have, and ocasionally drive, when my kids let me.
Expert: David Scott Date: 5/11/2004 Subject: Tracker Timing Marks
Question My 90 2WD 1.6l 8v would idel fast even after driving awhile. I was told that the Belt may have jumped a tooth (100K+ mi). Since I couldn't time it with a Light either (wouldn't slow down enough) I began to change the belt (#1 on TDC of coarse), with the Crank T. Mark was at 12 o'clock the Cam was not even at 11 o'clock (much less 12). And the Rotor was barely at the #1 Spark Plug position. So with the Belt off I advanced the Cam to the 12 O'clock position & the Rotor to the #1 SP. Now it won't run. The Cam had 2 marks (a 80 & 60 position), I moved it to the closest 1 at that time. What have I done.
Answer You should take the valve cover off, and look at the camshaft position. TDC #1 on the camshaft will have the #1 cam lobes both pointing up, and the #4 lobes pointing down. Then look for the timing mark on the pulley to get the last tooth adjustment. By the way, sometimes these have issues with the throttle position sensor causing fast idle. Get a service manual (factory, what else?) and follow the diagnostic trail, it's pretty exact, although the wording is sometimes a little vague.
