Geo Tracker Engine Timing. Don't time the 1.6L 16 valve engine on #4 cylinder!

[@gypsonny2]

I've got the 8v in mine, but I'm glad to see you working on that sweet rig. Keep it up G!

[@tomwallace753]

Great little engines! Thanks for checkin' in. Pass the word. KEEP ON TRACKIN'!

[@rolandoroquefl2836]

I have a video on this , figured it out myself but this clears up a lot of things thanks

[@tufftrails]

Perfect timing on your part (posting your video) Mr. Wallace, as I am about to do a head gasket on my 97 JX 4dr. Over the years, I seem to have collected a few of these little guys so that I would have something to keep me busy in retirement when I get bored. Just subscribed, and I am looking forward to your future vids.

[@tomwallace753]

“Perfect Timing”. No pun intended. Glad to help out. I’m also retired. I got my first one just after I visited my son on Okinawa in 2019. I had four but I just sold the 92’ last week. Nice t hear from you. Keep On Trackin’.

[@RichardReese-og1bj]

As long as you set the timing on the compression strike it doesn’t matter if it’s cylinder 4 or cylinder one.. always use the marks on the distributor

[@mrperfect8124]

Great job explaining this!

[@ChromeArty]

Well I'll be damned! It was number 1 all along.

[@joeslice2000]

this video couldn't be more wrong please do not listen to this guy

[@Citnos]

Thank you sir, this has been very useful, I have a user manual but not as detailed at that one, I will try to find that one, I am having some issues with my 98' tracker, sometimes starts at rhe second crank, right now doesn't eveb want to start up, I'm going to start by replacing the vacuum hoses, make a electrician check all the old wiring, I will replace the pcv valve, but I wonder if it may be an issue with the fuel pump, when it starts I have high idle 1000-1100 but I think thats on the pcv valve or some vacuum leak, I'm new on cars, and I find this videos very useful Keeping it simple, what would be order you follow to diagnose a no firing up issue, the starter and battery work, makes the engine crank

[@Citnos]

Here's a quick video of my engine, when she's running everything is ok, it sounds very good, but it has a lot of work to do, this video is from today, any feedback, where can I start working on it would be appreciated kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZmznquVgNt_p5Ysi=aoQEObCDmKMKQ_2P

[@rolandoroquefl2836]

I have a lot of videos on a Geo Tracker that is helpful

[@salrivera7578]

😅😅😅😅😊 You right I have a 1996 my self number one is by the distributor plus this engine do real well with head port and polish shave head 10 header a Delta cam free flow exhaust system and aluminum crank pulley it really wake up for what it is gd gd little truck easy to maintenance and cheap and gd on gas I have one old hillbilly way on 15x10 tires and wheels no lift sounds like a Ford and look tuff I don't sale my Spaniard mustang 🐎 for nothing like I said for me is a old Welly jp on steroids jjj

[@sacame1000]

What would be the position of the other spark plug wires? 1-3-4-2?

[@tomwallace753]

Yes the firing order on this particular engine is 1-3-4-2.

[@willie6185]

Sure glad to know that the number one cyclinder is in the back. Today I did a compression test on all 4 cyclinders and the number one cyclinder was only 90 psi’s and only 95 psi’s on a wet test. The highest test that I got on any cyclinder was 110 psi. Is it possible that my psi are so low because my timing is off? The Psi’s should be around 170 psi’s on a new motor, I think. Or could it be because the pcm ( computer) is retarding or advancing my timing?

[@tomwallace753]

Willie, As a kid growing up one of my dad‘s favorite sayings was “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it “. And in my 20 years of service in the military it’s ironic that we always said the same thing. My point is why are you doing a compression check? If you suspect a blown head gasket or burnt valves or if the engine smokes there’s really no need to invest in the equipment or the time doing a compression check. Two of the four engines that I have I tore down because there were excessive leaks. The engines ran strong and plenty of power. The engine shown in my video smoked a tiny bit so while I had it down I put brand new rings honed the cylinders put brand new head gasket etc. etc. put it all back together and all Rooney runs just fine plenty of power never did a compression check. Just curious, why are you doing a compression check? I’ll check on the procedure and see if I can find why your compression is low. Hope this helps. Keep on ”Trackin”. PS; not that it matters but you have to bypass the computer when you are fine turning the timing with a light. That’s another story though.

[@willie6185]

@@tomwallace753 Well, Because of the high fuel prices, I bought this 1997 Suzuki Sidekick which gets 25 miles to the gallon versus 10 miles to the gallon in my van. I bought it from a 50 year experienced auto mechanic which is now retired. I thought who else to buy a used vehicle from than a mechanic with all that experience. He told me several times that the engine only has 50 thousand miles on it and that the 5 speed transmission had just been rebuilt by himself. First thing that I noticed was that I could hear what sounded like a throw out bearing in the clutch. And he said it wasn’t the bearing. So anyway I noticed the sticker in the window that said it was due for a oil change. So I called the guy to see if it was for 3 or 4 or even 5 thousand miles and he said 4 thousand. I asked him if he would want to change it and he said he didn’t have time so I told him that I was going to have this other guy change it. Well he said to make sure that this other guy uses 15W 40 diesel oil with zinc in it. Well that threw up a red flag so That is why I decided to do a compression test. When I asked him about the 50 thousand miles, he denied it and I told him that he mentioned it several times and he said, no I didn’t. I did a compression test when I first got it and that number 1 cyclinder went from 150 psi to 90 psi’s in 6 months. I may be looking for a new motor. It doesn’t smoke or use any oil so I am going to drive it around today and then do another test on that one cyclinder. What is kinda weird is that all 4 cyclinders are low. The highest one is only 110 psi. That is why I am thinking that the PCM has something to do with it. See ya. Have a nice day

[@willie6185]

@@tomwallace753 PS. I do know how to bypass the computer.

[@tomwallace753]

@@willie6185 I’m answering questions in the dark OK. I say that because I don’t know what your mechanical aptitude or your background is in mechanics and I figure if you know enough to do a compression check you probably know enough to open the throttle wide-open before you do the compression check you have to disable the fuel pump and pull the coil wire also. I don’t know I’m just guessing OK. I don’t want to insult your intelligence because like I said I don’t know what your background is. That being said and what I suggested in the first place if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Forget what the old man said about the diesel oil just put 10W-30 or 10 W 40 and if you know enough to do a compression check you surely should be able to change the oil yourself. What he mentioned about the 50,000 miles and if that’s about what the odometer reads then I’m almost sure it’s probably 150,000 miles. The vehicle is nearly 30 years old and 150,000 miles so I don’t know what you expect from a vehicle in that situation. My guess is if you did a compression check correctly then you probably have some warped or badly burnt valves because at this point that is the only thing that I can think of that will cause low compression. Again I hope this helped and I wish you luck with your tracker because I love mine all four of them and I have not had any issues like that good luck bud I hope you get it figured out.

[@willie6185]

@@tomwallace753 But it is broke. Have you ever heard of a suzuki 4 cyclinder using 15W - 40 diesel oil with zinc in it? That alone tells me that something isn’t right. He said that for a reason. Plus when you pull the plugs you can tell a lot about a motors internal parts. Might as well do a compression test while you have the plugs out. Only takes 5 minutes. I could tell you some other issues about the Suzuki but it would take awhile. When I first got it the first thing I did was pull the air cleaner and it was so plugged up that you couldn’t see they it. I was surprised that it was getting any air at all. Oh yeah. The odometer has 242 thousand miles on it. Plus somebody pull the instrument cluster out of it and took the service engine bulb out of it. Kinda odd huh. Probably got tired of see the check engine light on all the time. Are you starting to see the picture? I always trusted a guy by his word but not so much anymore. I don’t know how a guy can look you in the eye and lie right to your face and know that they are lying. I don’t know how they sleep at nite. I thought this guy was honest.

[@leahliddiard329]

Hmmm there is no literature anywhere stating the cylinder closest to the dizzy is #1 as you rationalize....all literature shows drawings with #1 at the fan side. But considering its supposed to be done on #4(what you're calling 1) and 4 would be tdc high and true 1 is down taking air.... you've matched the wires... And the firing order is still correct.. (you can time it to any post technically) ... You're gonna get the job done. BUT Try and do anything else on the motor treating #4 as a #1 tho and you're gonna regret it....

[@stevenmorrison5692]

I hava a 1993geo tracker timing is messed up needhelp

[@tomwallace753]

Your engine is a 1.6 L 8 valve SOHC. My engine is a 1.6 L 16 valve SOHC. Your engine is 80 hp. Mine is 95 hp. That’s the major difference between 93 and the 96 model engine. You will have to find a book or something that shows rotation of the distributor and firing order. Just remember that most books out there are translated to show the number one cylinder being in the front of the engine. This is totally incorrect. The number one cylinder is in the rear of the engine next to the distributor. Other than that if the distributor is off, one tooth, one way or the other on the distributor, it will not start, and if it does, it may backfire like crazy, or not have any power at all. I hope this helps. Sorry, but I am not that familiar with the eight valve 1.6 L engine, but it is very important to note and I cannot say this enough times the number one cylinder is NOT in the front of the engine. I hope this helped and good luck. Keep on Trackin’.

[@MadWeiner]

Is this engine non interference?

[@tomwallace753]

Sorry, your question eludes me. 🤔

[@ChromeArty]

Yes, they are non interference Hwy83 Suzuki has a video discussing this in detail.

[@salrivera7578]

Amigo if you want the Geo tracker 16 valves put a header a aluminum crank pulley free flow exhaust system and a Delta 272 cam and gd air filter you be amazed how he will sound and run beautiful in the highway and city the response on the gas pedal is amazing I know I have one that sound like a old Ford muscle car dp sound and believe me it really a beast when you lock the locker on high or 4,x4 you will be smiling I eat big boys for breakfast most of the time I put my Geo tracker 100 miles a hr on highway and still want more it will do 120 easy my really pull hard on highway gd on gas easy maintenance and cheap I have one motor for spare and transmission I like better automatic my are automatics standard are close ration automatic is better take out fast and easy to maintenance and cheap

[@tomwallace753]

Thanks a bunch for the good info. Where did you get all those parts?! I searched high and low for a header, thought about a cam or some way to squeeze a little more power out. The whole car is in excellent condition. Getting it ready for paint now. Thanks again for the info. “Keep On Trackin!”

[@salrivera7578]

@@tomwallace753 header Doug trolley around 500 dollars remember the port is round not squers like 8 valves ok the only one that makes headers for 16 valves big difference from stock low gear make the crank pulley aluminum around 95 dollars with shipping Delta cam make 272 cam beautiful cam and the free flow exhaust system you can make it I made my 21/4 pipe and 2 1/4 universal free flow catty and what ever muffler you want you can port and polish head if you want you self shave head but you can get a thinner head gasket metal work real gd all around problably a 1000 dollar or less but man man the Geo tracker become something else it wake up like a lion I took back sit out rug air-conditioning unit power steering everything that I don't nd I cut my soft top and put two strap to hold the top to the back old school style jjj I put 10x15 wheels dp dich and 30 x 10 tires and put 3 universal flares look real bulky old school style nothing fancy I took radio speaker out and put 2 corners marines speaker wireless Bluetooth jjjj CCR born in the byouooooo if you get the parts you be real happy like I said the Geo tracker become a monster on steroids on city highway trails mud snow plus will give you better gas mileage plus easy to work and maintenance the 272 Delta cam is regrind around 225 with shipping you send yours and they will do it for you the 272 cam is higher rpm cam love it 16 valves love higher rpm the other is a 260 more for torque I like to travel a lot and go to trails I pick 272 cam big big difference a monster and the sound dp tuff like a muscle Ford car like a tuff V8 motor really is Worth the money 10 fold the Geo tracker really wake up to be a beast compare to stock plus I eat big boys for breakfast my is short wheels base perfect for mud trail snow and to cruise around

[@salrivera7578]

@@tomwallace753 plus put gd air filter if nd any help late me know ok for parts

[@salrivera7578]

@@tomwallace753 plus another thing you nd to play with the timing you will have 4 dg to play to bingo jjjjj gd luck if you build it like my you will smile all the way to the mountains jjjj CCR born in the byouooooo jjjj take care and you better hold on it will fly tuff tuff is amazing compared to a new crap jp over 50 g jjjj 😁 crazy

[@tomwallace753]

@@salrivera7578 👍🏽