Repair 7

The 1998 Suzuki Esteem was an economical compact car---available as a sedan or a wagon---offering reasonable space and practicality. The Esteem had an understated generic design, but it offered a solid 1.6L, in-line, 4-cylinder engine capable of delivering 95 horsepower. With its light 2,250-pound curb weight, the Esteem posted very respectable fuel economy figures of 37 miles per gallon on the highway and 30 miles per gallon in the city.

Fuel Pump

The Esteems electronically controlled fuel pump is located in the gas tank. As its name suggests, its function is to pump gas through the fuel lines to the engine compartment.

Fuel Pressure Regulator

The fuel pressure regulator, located under the hood, is responsible for feeding fuel directly to the injectors at the correct pressure. This is controlled by the electronic control unit---or ECU---and is based on several parameters, including driver throttle input and revolutions per minute. The regulator must be in good working order, as failing to feed fuel into the engine at the correct pressure can cause severe issues, such as back-firing or even detonation caused by the improper ratio of air to fuel.

Fuel Injectors

The Esteem is equipped with four small fuel injectors, each responsible for providing fuel to the combustion chamber. The injectors are also controlled by the ECU, which instructs the injectors when and for how long to release fuel. Injectors must be free from deposits or contaminants to operate effectively.

Fuel Filter

The fuel filter screens out any foreign object or debris that may accumulate in the fuel tank.

The purpose of the grille on your 2002 Suzuki XL7 is not just for aesthetics. It is also to keep debris away from the radiator. You may wish to remove the grille to replace it with a custom grille to improve the look of your vehicle, or you may have to remove it because of damage from an accident. In either case, it should take you less than an hour to do and only requires a few tools that you can get from any hardware store.

Instructions

1

Examine the grille from the front and find the three screws on the bottom of the front of the grille. Remove these screws with a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.

2

Raise the hood and remove all four screws along the top of the grille. Grab the top of the grille and bring it toward you to reach behind the grill. Pry off the washers on the backside of the grille with a flat-head screwdriver.

3

Find the two plastic posts on the inside part of the grille. Twist them off with pliers and pull the grille off the front of the vehicle.