I just recently purchased my Tracker after totaling my 91 Sidekick.  I have noticed that when you start it for the first time after sitting the engine makes a rattling noise.  My guess is it's because there is no oil on the top end when you first start it until the oil pump gets it there.  It is just a split second and then it stops.  Is this common?  Is there an oil addative or something to prevent this.  Is it something else?

Jeff

Yepper, it's probably the timing chain tensioner.  They wear as time goes by, make sure you are using 5W30 oil, that helps.  Mine does it too, but not every time it starts up.  HTH, Dave

My Mechanic said it is probably because all the oil drains to the oil pan after sitting.  So when you start it, it's a little dry on top.  Something about most engines are designed to retain some oil on top for start up.  I will run the idea about the timing belt tensioner by him.  It seems to only do it if it has been setting for 6- 8 hours or over night.  It is more noticeable if it has been sitting a few days.  The car has 71K miles.  When is the timing belt service?  90K?  Is this a non-interference motor?  Thanks.

Jeff

When is the timing belt service?  90K?  Is this a non-interference motor?  Thanks.
Jeff

The FSM says to inspect every 48K or every 4 years. It doesn't give a mileage for replacement but only really goes up to 48K anyway. When I was driving through a lot of muddy water I found that I got lots of very fine stone particles embedded in the belt so I used to change it at least once a year. The belts aren't expensive.
Its a non-interference motor.

I don't believe that these have timing belts but rather timing chains, that is the rattle that you hear when you fire it up ;DDave

Thanks for the replies.  I noticed you have the same Tracker that I have Dave.  When you say the tensioners go bad, do they brake or just progressively get louder or more frequently noisy at start up?  Have you or at what point would you do a timing chain replacement?

Another question.  My tranny shifts hard in first and does not like to down shift into fourth or upshift at high RPM's.  I read some where that the 99 5spd trannies had synchro problems.  Is this a common problem in the 2000?  I just had the diffs and tranny service done and thought that would help.  It actually made it somewhat worse.  The mechanic said he checked with the dealer about a GM product called synchromesh or something like that which is used in alot of GM products.  He said it was not needed in this vehicle.  Any thoughts?

Thanks

Jeff

Well, from what I've read, as the timing chain tensioner gets worse it will start to make noise all the time.  Some never go bad, some do.  The big thing is to use 5-30 oil, from what I understand the V-6's are even more sensitive to this, but my wifes 01 XL-7 doesn't make any noise, mine did from when I first got it.  It never got worse, it's just here and there.  Try not to go over 2500 to 3000 rpms when cold, let it warm up just a couple of minutes before you drive it, that helps. 

About the 5 speed, buddy, I feel your pain.  I noticed it on my test drive and thought that the previous owner was a little hard on it, but in fact, it's just the way it is.  I usually double clutch to drop down to 4th from 5th.  If I am going 45 mph or less I usually don't have to.  IT can grind going into 3rd, the best thing to do is just to upshift easy, never force it and it's fine.  1st can be hard to get into if your stopped, I just slip it in first while rolling up to a stop. 

I've found to tranny to be happy shifting at 3500 rpm, also get better gas milage if you go easy on the throttle and let it rev to 3500 rpm before shifting.  Works better than short shifting.  My only complaint with the gearing is the space between 1st and 2nd gear, all the other gears are pretty evenly spaced.  The longer space between 1st and 2nd gear make it a little tougher to get it going up hill, especially when your having to granny shift it all the time.  I used GM synthetic gear oil which they recomended and I thought it helped a little bit with the shifting.

HTH  Dave

Thanks for the response Dave.  I posted another question about the plastic fasteners for the rear bumper.  Do you know what they use?  I guess I should just drive down to the auto parts store and see what I can find.

Jeff