M13A engine overhaul service after 55 000 miles

Thank you both for the answers.

There is actually a strong buzzing noise coming from the engine, and it's either one of the belts or some of the bearings (hopfeully nothing else!). I suspect the power steering belt pulley bearing, but I will only be known after removing the belts for due replacement.


Just to clarify, is the "tensioner" which Riccy mentioned actually this:
www.bigjimny.com/store/power-steering-te...er-bearing-m13a.html

And is the "crank pulley" this mighty expensive part:
www.bigjimny.com/store/crankshaft-pulley.html

By the way, should this crank pulley ever be replaced as a part of regular maintenance?

If the water pump happens to be making the noise, which aftermarket brands have proven to be good (Blueprint perhaps)?


P.S.: I do intend to change all fluids and filters in the vehicle, including the windshield washer fluid which got some foul odor

Thats the parts. Check with Martin as he sells a cheaper crank pulley than the branded suzuki one (which is what ive been using for over a year ok).

The noise could be the A/C compressor also as thats on the same belt as the power steering. This can be bypassed with a 4PK850 belt if needed for testing purposes (or permanently). I have seized bearings in mine, but have found you can swap the pulley from another compressor without loosing the gasses from the A/C. The donor identical pulley/clutch part i have is from an ignis i think, yet to fit however as its a radiator out job to get at it.

A listening stick is the way to find the cause of the noise. You could run the engine briefly with no belts on or one removed to see if that helps trace it.

Definitely no need to go over the top with maintenance on these engines! I'm sure many of the ones we see at 100k+ miles have got there on just cheap oil and filter services. Even the iridium plugs last far beyond the service schedule with no issues.
If you are changing the belts you might as well take the rad off and drain the coolant too, and I'd be tempted to change the tensioner bearing and maybe even put in a new crankshaft sensor while you've got easy access (both are relatively cheap to do and are known to give trouble, although usually at higher mileage). Check the crank pulley is in good condition too.

Well I just used to "going over the top" with the maintenance of my Renault's K9K (1.5 dci) engine in my DDiS Jimny for the last 4 years just to maximize the chances of avoiding any catastrophe ... and I did avoid most of them.

Now it will take some tome to getting used to having a worry-free engine, but with half the braking power of the old one

Anyway, it turned out that both belts were quite cracked and that the power steering belt tensioner bearing was almost seized. I would have bought the bearing from Martin but I managed to find the original one locally and time is of the essence when the vehicle sits dead in mechanic's garage ...

I am surprised to find that the originally installed spark plugs are still in the vehicle at 55 000 miles. Should I replace them without hesitation now?
A local car parts store recommended Bosch FR6KI332S iridium spark plugs for my Jimny, which are half the price of NGK's IFR6J11 iridium spark plugs (which Suzuki originally recommends). These Bosch plugs cost me about 9 EUR per piece, while NGK's cost about 18 EUR per piece.

However, I've also been told that "japanese cars generally don't like german spark plugs".

Has anyone had experience with Bosch spark plugs in Jimnys? I've also found these Suzuki recommended NGK's spark plugs for just like 7 EUR per piece on Ebay ( here is an example ), but I am afraid this might be scam (fake copies).

Also, does anyone have some good experience with some "special" spark plugs, like some which claim to give better MPGs, or more power at lower RPMs or so?

The coolant will be drained. It was green, so I intend to pour some standard G11 green type in it. I am just not smart enough to conclude which of those fancy "OTA" I should use !?

What is the Suzuki part number of the crankshaft sensor?

Yes probably not a bad idea to change the plugs. I have no experience with the Bosch plugs but I very much doubt they will cause any issues. I've never heard the 'German plugs in Japanese engines' thing before. It sounds like nonsense to me.

There is no magic spark plug that will give you any benefits. Whatever you fit, as long as they meet the manufacturers spec, you will get the same performance from them for the life of the plug.

The Suzuki part number for the crank position sensor is 33220-63J00