How reliable is a 2ltr V6 Vitara engine ???

[RickUK]

I would like some feedback please,i have seen a Vitara late 90s in good condition and it ticks all the boxes that i require,the only trouble is its a 2ltr V6 manual,the mileage is very very low and also genuine.I dont do a great amount of miles per week i guiess maybe 100 mile top whack so fuel economy is not a issue.

But the reliabilty of the engine is paramount,so does this engine have any major defect that i nedd to take into account or are they pretty bullit proof ??? its a 1998 model 2 ltr V6,so if anyone could highlight the major possible problems of this engine it would be most welcome.

If it was a ultra high mileage car then i would would not even think about it,but for the year its a very low one and that is what is appealing,a nice turbine smooth engine that has a bit of ommph behind it.

Many thanks

Rick

[Edweird]

I've never heard of any recurring problems with the Suzuki V6 engines. I'd quite like to get a V6 Vitara myself.
The 2 litre is the smallest of the bunch, as they made a 2.5 and 2.7 so I'd expect it to be the most long-lived as many parts are probably a bit over-engineered as they're designed to be able to cope with the 2.7.

[RickUK]

Just a quick update,i located a 2lr V6 Vitara and i am the new owner of a reliable 4x4,its a late 1998 and everything works as it should do,will pick it up on Friday but as i only plan on using it on going on a off farmers fields once a week i decided i did not require a newish one just for that one specific use.

The plan is still to locate a wewish Jimny for the wife as she would only use it for shopping etc but it would be criminal to usa a newish model on rough ground and get it scratched while going off road.

So a old relaible bus for me and a nice looking model for the wife,so both parties are happy.

[donkeychomp]

[RickUK]

Well i finally picked up my Suzuki Vitara today,on the way down to pick it up i had a moment of had i made the right decision on the V6 engine,but after driving it back for nearly a 100 miles,and any initial doubts that i had just vanished as that Vitara is a total joy too drive.



Its a great combination of being a really rugged reliable 4x4 with that turbine smooth V6,i wont hide the fact that i was smiling all the way back,fuel economy was also a big worry but when i was at a steady 60-65 it was returning much better economy that i had 1st thought.

Not used it off road yet but this Vitara is all about that magic engine,would just like to say thanks for all your help in choosing a Suzuki 4x4.

[Edweird]

I'm thinking about possibly getting one too. Problem is what to do with the old girl I've got at the minute.

[ScottieJ]

I've never heard of any recurring problems with the Suzuki V6 engines. I'd quite like to get a V6 Vitara myself.
The 2 litre is the smallest of the bunch, as they made a 2.5 and 2.7 so I'd expect it to be the most long-lived as many parts are probably a bit over-engineered as they're designed to be able to cope with the 2.7.

I'm pretty sure the 2.0 doesn't share many parts like the 2.5 and 2.7 do? Could be wrong though.

Like any engine as long as it has been serviced we it will be fine.

Just make sure you use genuine or good quality oil filters and the correct grade of a good quality oil, for all the Suzuki engines with timing chains I like to use castrol magnatec.

Only problems I know of are worn tensioner and tartly timing chains but this is usually caused by using cheap oil and not keeping up to date with oil changes.