Ignition timing

SLAVOMIR

MEMBER
SUZUKI

Hi,
Any idea what is the ignition timing for Suzuki Sidekick '95, 1.6L 16V. It was made in Canada. Friend moved it to Europe and when they tuned up engine in repair shop. It's just completely wrong. I think they set up the the timing for 8 degrees and that's propably wrong.
Thanks

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

Removal (Sidekick, Vitara & X-90)
Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove accessory drive belts. Remove radiator cooling fan, water pump pulley, and fan shroud. It may be necessary to drain cooling system and remove upper radiator hose to remove fan shroud.
Remove 5 crankshaft pulley-to-crankshaft bolts. Remove pulley. It is NOT necessary to remove crankshaft center bolt. Remove timing belt cover. See Fig. 1.
Rotate crankshaft clockwise to align timing marks. See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Stamped "E" or punch mark on camshaft sprocket must straight up. Loosen timing belt tensioner bolt and stud nut. Move tensioner away from belt, and hand tighten bolt and nut. See Fig. 4. If reusing old belt, mark belt with an arrow indicating direction of rotation for installation reference. Remove timing belt.
CAUTION:With timing belt removed, DO NOT turn camshaft more than 20 degrees in either direction from aligned position. To prevent piston and valve damage, DO NOT turn crankshaft more than 90 degrees in either direction from aligned position.

Inspection (All Models)
Inspect timing belt for damaged teeth, cracking and oil contamination. Check timing belt tensioner for worn bearing. Replace damaged components.
Installation (All Models)
If the tensioner was removed, install tensioner plate on tensioner. Ensure tensioner plate lug engages hole on rear of tensioner. Install tensioner spring. Tighten tensioner bolt finger tight to allow movement of tensioner.
On 1989-94 Sidekick with 8-valve engine, remove valve cover. Loosen all valve adjusting screws. On all models, ensure timing marks are still aligned. Install timing belt. If reusing old belt, ensure direction arrow mark on timing belt is pointed in direction of crankshaft rotation. Ensure drive side of belt is free of slack.
Loosen tensioner bolt and stud nut to place tension on timing belt. Turn crankshaft 2 revolutions clockwise to remove all slack from belt. Tighten tensioner stud nut and then tensioner bolt. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Ensure timing marks are aligned. Install timing belt cover and tighten bolts to specification. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. If coolant was drained, fill and bleed air from system. Adjust drive belts to proper tension. Adjust valve lash on 1989-94 Sidekick with 8-valve engine. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS under ADJUSTMENTS.