Gear box whining

[lincooln]

Hey there. I have a 1993 Suzuki Vitara 3 door. it has the g16A motor. some of these questions may seem noobish, but i just want to be sure.

The gearbox was whining in first gear mostly at first, but has now started to whine in every gear. I think that it is just because it needs more oil in the gearbox. does this sound right?
also where is the filler for the gearbox?

Also the diff does whine, but i think this is normal. right?

is it normal for the engine to use water. mostly from the overflow bottle but soon comes out of the radiator too. I need to top up the water at least once a week. is this normal?

cheers
Lincoln

[Dace]

Hey there. I have a 1993 Suzuki Vitara 3 door. it has the g16A motor. some of these questions may seem noobish, but i just want to be sure.

The gearbox was whining in first gear mostly at first, but has now started to whine in every gear. I think that it is just because it needs more oil in the gearbox. does this sound right?
also where is the filler for the gearbox?

Also the diff does whine, but i think this is normal. right?

is it normal for the engine to use water. mostly from the overflow bottle but soon comes out of the radiator too. I need to top up the water at least once a week. is this normal?

cheers
Lincoln

My Hilux had a gearbox whine, one day it got worse so decided to pull it out and strip in down, found this


I was lucky!!

I recommend pull it out before it changes from a worn bearing to a complete gearbox

and no, an engine shouldn't use water, take it to a garage and get em to do a TK hedcheck, it will tell ya if there is any CO in the coolant and hence, a blown headgasket

[Weemsy]

hi,
my 1992 escudo uses NO water. i have put 0 litres in it since i had it a few months ago.
lack of oil may make the gearbox whine, top it up on a plug on the side. probably the damage is done in the box though.
the diffs dont whine on mine either, prob lack of oil again.
if water is pushing out of the pressure cap on your rad its either overheating or head gasket gone. or worse, block cracked. one thing to check first though is that the thermostat isnt stuck closed. does the top rad hose get hot but the bottom one stay cold?
people with more knowledge of zooks will prob tell you whats most common.
sorry to tell you what you probably didnt want to hear.
weemsy

[Weemsy]

2 replies at the same time!!
same diagnosis too

[icekayak]

With the car coolish (ie when it has been sitting a few hours) try starting the car and looking for bubbles in the radiator...

[lincooln]

The water dont leak out of the radiator but out of the overflow. but I never see it dripping out.

The engine doesnt smoke or anything and the head and gasket is fine. The thermo is working and I replaced not long ago as the previous owner had drilled 5 5mm holes in it. what the hell for I dont know

It has done 250000km nearly. planning at a later date when i get back next year to fit a LSD.

So for the oil in the gearbox and particular trans oil? and where on the side is it?

cheers

[Heath]

Sounds like they were trying to increase water flow for what reason I can only guess. Not a good sign though if it has overheated in the past. Might be worth getting the radiator , cap, etc checked (check flow, get rodded, etc).

[lincooln]

Well the cap is new. But its weird how its disappears out from the overflow first. But yea I will get checks done and so on.

[icekayak]

Have you had the head checked?

[lincooln]

No I haven't but wouldn't it use oil, smoke or have oil in the radiator if there was a problem with it? The head and block seem fine.

[Smurf]

No I haven't but wouldn't it use oil, smoke or have oil in the radiator if there was a problem with it? The head and block seem fine.

Depends where the crack in the head is as to what symptoms it shows. A crack from a cylinder to a water gallery will pressurize your water system forcing water out through the overflow, should also show as air bubbles in your radiator when the engine is running.
To have oil in your radiator water the crack would have to be between an oil gallery and a water gallery

[new2zukes]

i definitely recomend taking the gearbox out and having a look as my terrano had the same sort of wineing but mine was too late there was big chunks of metle in the gear oil when it was drained. cost me over 2k to get it fixed as clutch was stuffed too.

[lincooln]

Yea I think I will. I only have 10 days left in Nz but my dad needs it later on any way. Cheers for the help guys

[Heath]

I have a g16A gearbox here you can have for the princely sum of 100 bucks. Come and grab it, try it and if it makes the problem go away then buy it. If it doesnt make the problem go away then just bring it back (unless you want to buy it of course). Havent got a clutch so you will have to sourse one yourself or use the old on of course.

You are welcome to try it and see if the problem goes away.

Check the rear diff/ gbox oil. If it has gone cloudy then it is stuffed and may have buggered the brgs, etc in there. Maybe top up the levels in the gbox and diff and see if that helps if they are low. Doesnt sound like it will be good news though I am afraid.

I live in Glenfield, North shore.

4413074 after 4:15pm

Heath

[lincooln]

Will give you a call tomorrow. I would like to try it on saturday if I can, as I leave the country for 10.5 months on the following thursday.

Cheers alot

[Heath]

Sweet. You are welcome to "borrow" the gearbox as long as you need it. I am unsure of its condition but if when it is swapped in the noise changes or goes away you may have found your problem. You could borrow this one while the other is rebuilt if you like.

[lincooln]

yea that would be helpful thanks. If the noise does go away, Then we will either buy it or borrow it until the other one gets fixed. I by the way am Lincoln Prouting. My mum is Beth Stone. Im going to the states on the 14th. Sunday is my leaving party so I only really have saturday or maybe bit of sunday morning. Im not to sure on how to do the gear box so are you able to help?

Cheers
Lincoln

[Heath]

Sorry dude I have a busy weekend planned for me also (the wife has decided the gardens can be done in the rain if need be (aparently its good for the plants you are shifting - not for me though). You are welcome to the box for as long as you need it.

Here is a quick run down (from memory), others feel free to chime in and correct me if I am wrong.

I havent swapped one before but I dont think it would be too hard, just be wary of its weight and use a proper jack to get it out.
Be aware of the engines balance point when the boxe is removed it may rock forward or back so watch the radiator and the distributor.
Dont get under it and let it drop on you - that would be bad.
Probably need to jack the vehicle up and put it on axle stands to get the height needed to move the gearboxes under the wagon. Make sure if you use ramps that the wheels are chocked and the hand brakes is on.
Remove the drive shafts from the gearbox and swing them out of the way, leave them attached to the diffs.
Disconnect the clutch cable and speedo cable. There will also be some electrical cables probably so be wary of them also (disconnect them when you can and the breathers also).
Inside remove the rubber boots and knobs from the levers (if you can remove the levers from the box to make it easier to remove from under the vehicle).
unbolt the starter motor and place it out of the way
There are 4 bolts/nuts holding the engine and gearbox together unless you have a later model with extra brackets. Not sure on how the back is held on, havent looked.
Get a jack or something to securely support the box before removing any bolts. you could use 6x2 timber stacked up at both ends of the gearbox and remove a piece from each end until it is down (6x2 should be stable enough to put up with some jiggling of the box back and forth.
Once all the fittings are removed angle it slightly down at the rear and move it back to seperate the g-box from the engine make sure you dont knock it off any jacks or stands you are using and keep your hands from under it.

To make it lighter drain the oil if you like (save a few kgs at least).

Put it back in is reverse process I guess.

Maybe a better option is to wait until you get back. No point in hurting yourself before going away and you arent going to need it, unless the family are going to use it. If you decide to wait I'll give you a hand when you get back, if not the box is here and its yours while you need it.

Was your Mum in the shore 4 Wheelers a while back? Drove a ( I want to say reddish but I'm not sure) pajero or isuzu with the older squareish style body?

Heath

[lincooln]

haha. Yea damn those gardens.

I have my mate coming over for the weekend so I might get it done then. will have to see.

Thanks for the instructions, at least it doesn't seem to hard. I dont think it will be able to wait 10.5 months as my dad will have it for that time. But my brother or mum or dad can get it done any way.

Cheers for letting us have the use of the box.

Yea my mum had a White 86 pajero. Now up at my dads riddled with rust. selling to sum farmer guy for $400. She was also yes in the shore four wheelers a while back. looking at joining again as norwest is to much competition orientated and not enough fun/shiny runs. She now drives a 94 green LWB pajero.

Lincoln

[Heath]

No worries just give me a ring and we'll sort a time for you to pick it up. Thursday is tight for me though as I am away after 6pm.

[lincooln]

what about friday after 5pm or so? Will ring you tomorrow

[Heath]

Friday is cool. Ring me on thursday and we'll tee up a time.

021841307 after 6pm or leave a message on my home number. I'll be home just after 4:15pm so any time after that will be cool.

Just checking you can lift this thing (or are you bringing a mate as well)? I can help, but my back isnt too good so cant swing it on my own or lift too much.

Heath

[lincooln]

Ok will ring you thursday then.

Bringing my brother or a mate. depending what day i pick it up.

cheers
lincoln

[Heath]

I photo copied the section of the Haynes manual on transmission removal etc so it might help.

[Heath]

Forgot to give you the copied section (never mind).

How did it go?

[lincooln]

Oh well. I didnt manage to get it done as it was raining and we don't have a covered area to do it. and sunday I had a leaving party. The rest of my family will try to get it done soon. Will give them your details.

My details are:
482 1085
My mums mobile is
0274 937 801 (Beth)

just give her a ring if you need to remind her

cheers
Lincoln

[Heath]

Have agreat trip Dude and we'll catch ya later on. Can you log on where you are going?

[lincooln]

yea I can log on. So will post up pics and stories when I do get out 4wding with the locals.

And cheers man. Im sure I will

Lincoln

[Heath]

How's the trip going?

Did your family get the gearbox sorted for your return?

[lincooln]

well so far my trip has been amazing. been to so many places but only off road once so far. wantitng to do more though

well they say its not making a sound any more so i dont know, will have to see when i get back unless you want the gearbox back. Or would you rather have the money? i can hurry them up to pay you if you wish? but it looks like i will have to worry about it myself rather than them doing it, just another thing on my ever increasing list of TO DO's. haha.

cheers

Lincoln