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Suzuki Vitara Maintenance and Repair

314 messages,  Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 9:43 PM

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What is this discussion about? Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Engine, Suspension, Transmission, SUV

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#21 of 314 <b>Test</b> by mopar67 Jun 27, 2002 (4:35 pm)
#22 of 314 Test by mopar67 Jun 27, 2002 (4:35 pm)
#23 of 314 A/C condenser by cosmo2 Jun 28, 2002 (4:28 pm)
Chuck, I have a '99 Tracker and have never had a problem with the A/C. However, after reading your posts, I inspected my condenser and found exactly what you described. It is difficult to see without holding a light at the right angle, but there is a definite circular pattern of bent fins. I plan to pull the fan shroud off on the 4th of July to get a better look. My guess is that the fan blades rub the condenser fins when the fan is free-spinning at freeway speeds. That is when the blades may be bent back toward the condenser. When the fan is powered on, the blades should bend forward like the props on an airplane. This looks like it may become a recall issue if it can be demonstrated that any damage may be safety or pollution related. I suggest all you Tracker, Vitara, GV, and GV XL-7 owners take real close looks at your A/C condensers
#24 of 314 I checked and double checked by mopar67 Jun 29, 2002 (4:27 am)
for bent fins....cannot find any bent fins at all.   Wonder if your fan(s) has a blade of round or perhaps its flexing too much at hiway speeds?
#25 of 314 To Cosmo2 by bmuelle1 Jul 03, 2002 (2:44 am)
I read your message concerning your damage to the condenser on your Tracker. My wife has a 1999 Tracker that I just spent $1500 on to replace the condenser and cooling fan. The parts are very expensive for this vehicle and to install the parts are a pain. The vehicle has never been in an accident nor have I ever heard the fan rubbing against the condenser. The vehicle was exactly three years old last Friday but has 51,000 miles on it so Chevrolet refuses to cover the costs. I believe there is a design flaw in the condenser. My fan blades were not damaged. I would advise you to check your condenser to see if it has a perfect circle the same size of the fan in it. And, if it is still under warranty I would return it to the dealer because, as in my case, the condenser was worn to the point where the freon flow was restricted and the air conditioner refused to go on.       Could you please let me know what you find when you check your condenser. Oh by the way, the cooling fan motor and housing has been back ordered now for a week because there were none to be found in the Detroit area where I live. Please let me know.   Bernie bm1279hotmail.com
#26 of 314 A/C condenser damage by cosmo2 Jul 04, 2002 (8:58 am)
You are right, Bernie. It is a pain disassembling the fan assembly. The fins on my condenser are damaged far beyond being able to comb them straight. The circular pattern of damage is peculiar. The fins are bent inward behind the channels, and the damaged area is shiny. There even appears to be some pitting on the surface of the channels. The fan blades do not bend forward or backward easily, but the blades do twist easily. However, I was unable to manually twist the blades far enough to make contact with the condenser, even when I pushed the blades back toward the condenser. Despite the damage to the condenser, the fan blades showed no wear on the trailing edges. It looks like the fan just sandblasted the condenser. I'm stumped! Bernie, have you tried going over the dealer's head to Chevrolet customer relations? Chuck, have you brought this problem to the attention of your Suzuki dealer?
#27 of 314 To Cosmo2 by bmuelle1 Jul 05, 2002 (3:44 am)
I called 1-800-222-1020 and talked to a Chevrolet representative who stated that nothing could be done because the vehicle was out of warranty with over 51,000 miles on it. I suppose all I can do is have the Tracker repaired and keep an eye on it. No way should've the condenser went bad only after three years especially under such weird circumstances. Must be a design flaw in the condenser, and because the part is hard to find in the Detroit area where I live (motor capitol of the world) I'm sure we're not the only one having this problem. Funny thing is my sister was just about to trade in her Jeep for a Tracker and after hearing of this problem she decided to change her mind and buy another Jeep.
#28 of 314 Condenser Problem by zeke707 Jul 05, 2002 (6:35 am)
I have not taken my Vitara to the local dealer yet but plan to do so in the next few days. I wanted to wait and get some feedback from my original posts. I believe this bent fin phenomena is a design problem, especially now that others report the same condition. Yes, I noticed the thin tubing between the fins appear to have pitting on them. My guess is the condenser itself is "too soft". The metal is easily damaged. It's amazing, I can look at the front end of the vehicle after I wash it...it looks brand new, absolutely no marks, pitting, etc. I have a 2000 Vitara. The warranty book says the A/C "accessories" are covered for 3/36000. I hope. I did call the local dealer and the dealer I bought the vehicle from and of course I got the "deer in the headlights" comment, duh!
#29 of 314 Also take note! by bmuelle1 Jul 05, 2002 (9:52 am)
I also wanted to let this board know that the reason that I had to replace the condenser fan motor was because it started to squeek and finally seized up and started to blow 25amp fuses. The fan motor and assembly is the part I'm waiting for.
#30 of 314 bent A/C condenser fins by cosmo2 Jul 12, 2002 (6:14 pm)
I have checked all the GM service bulletins for the '99 Tracker, and no mention is made of this problem. Since only three people, including myself, have reported experiencing this problem on 1999 and 2000 Trackers/Vitaras, I assume that the problem is not epidemic. I am asking that those who have noticed this problem post where they live and their typical driving conditions. I also ask that those who have inspected their A/C condensers and found no doughnut-shaped pattern of bent fins behind the fan report where they live and their driving conditions. Maybe we can figure this problem out.   I live in Washington state, and my usual driving conditions are city driving mixed with some secondary highway driving, freeway driving, and a little "primitive road" driving. I drive in conditions from 105 degrees to -10 degrees, including 2-3 trips each winter over mountain passes in blizzard conditions.   Since the Tracker is the first vehicle I have owned with the cooling fan IN FRONT of the A/C condenser and radiator, I am wondering if the fin damage is due to the fan coming on when there is ice and/or snow build up on the condenser during highway driving in blizzards or freezing rain.   Any help with be appreciated.

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