Any zc32 Suzuki swift sport users?

[gweaver]

I asked on Facebook about tail lamp cracking, and one of the replies was this:
"At suzuki we were notified a cracking effect on the rear lights that appeared to be under the lens was likely to be caused by certain cleaning products. Whatever the truth was, they wouldn't change them under warranty"

I have my doubts..

[trickywoo]

gweaver said:

Mechanic thought it was slow to crank

They are all slow to crank but having a good strong battery does help.

[gweaver]

They are, and it has always been slow to crank, but I think it was slightly slower than usual last Tuesday. I don't commute in it, so it doesn't do enough long journeys.

[Kev_Mk3]

gweaver said:

I asked on Facebook about tail lamp cracking, and one of the replies was this:
"At suzuki we were notified a cracking effect on the rear lights that appeared to be under the lens was likely to be caused by certain cleaning products. Whatever the truth was, they wouldn't change them under warranty"

I have my doubts..

As said on fb i have the same cracks, use the same products as you it seems but i live with it

[gweaver]

Thanks Kevin. I think a lot of us are on Facebook, YouTube and DW! (I don't have an account on the latter, just a voyeur )

I will just monitor the tail lights for now and see how the cracks progress, which I'm sure they will. The headlamps on the Vauxhall got really bad, so they did need to be replaced eventually.

If looks like it's just one bad batch from 2015 that are affected, I'll probably try to source some older or newer second hand replacements - they aren't that expensive.

[CJMCBAB]

Love ours even though she's having a bit of trouble at the moment.

12 plate and 90,000 miles and this is happening:

vimeo.com/544965084

Previously had a full health check and service with Suzuki 5 weeks ago so I'm not a happy bunny at the moment considering she's worse than when she went in - only done 200 miles since as I'm nervous about the issue. Apart from this, she has never put a foot wrong.


Favourite vehicle ever, she's like a member of our family - sad I know!

Edited by CJMCBAB on Thursday 6th May 20:22

[gweaver]

Doesn't sound healthy! Any idea what is causing that? Knackered bearing on an ancillary? Or a loose heat shield or damaged bush or mount?
Hope you can get a diagnosis soon.

[CJMCBAB]

No idea mate! A couple of people have suggested the alternator bearing or tensioner but I'm clueless with cars to be honest! I'm waiting to hear back from the Suzuki garage so I'll let you know how it goes!

[gweaver]

I wondered about the alternator bearing, but couldn't remember what else is down there. If it's had a new belt and it's not been tensioned correctly, that could accelerate the demise of the bearing, but they can just fail with age.

[trickywoo]

Kev_Mk3 said:

gweaver said:

I asked on Facebook about tail lamp cracking, and one of the replies was this:
"At suzuki we were notified a cracking effect on the rear lights that appeared to be under the lens was likely to be caused by certain cleaning products. Whatever the truth was, they wouldn't change them under warranty"

I have my doubts..

As said on fb i have the same cracks, use the same products as you it seems but i live with it

The cracking issue is interesting. Both of mine have it.

I also got very similar cracks in the dash screen of a 2017 Suzuki motorbike. Really annoying as it’s all you see when you look at the dash and a new screen is £100. The screen has never had more than a wipe with a damp microfibre cloth.

[Kev_Mk3]

CJMCBAB said:

Love ours even though she's having a bit of trouble at the moment.

12 plate and 90,000 miles and this is happening:

vimeo.com/544965084

Previously had a full health check and service with Suzuki 5 weeks ago so I'm not a happy bunny at the moment considering she's worse than when she went in - only done 200 miles since as I'm nervous about the issue. Apart from this, she has never put a foot wrong.


Favourite vehicle ever, she's like a member of our family - sad I know!

Edited by CJMCBAB on Thursday 6th May 20:22

Sounds like the bearings in the pully along with heat shield

[CJMCBAB]

I'm still waiting for a response from Suzuki but I'm going to have to chase it up further on Monday as I don't want to risk driving it unless I absolutely have to.

The noise completely disappears when in neutral and coasting downhill for example but what that means is oblivious to me! I'm useless with cars but none of the warning lights have come on and the temp is still and has always been bang in the middle.

I'll keep you updated but if anyone has any recommendations etc I'd appreciate it! I know she's getting on a bit but apart from this, she's a gem!

[gweaver]

If the noise goes away when you put the clutch in, I think it could be the gearbox input shaft bearing.
See https://youtu.be/4o5DdN1tv_E & https://youtu.be/qs_iTXgDt40 and tell us if you think that's the noise.

The bearing could just have worn out with miles, but if the oil level hasn't been checked and has got low, that could cause premature wear. If the dealer hasn't checked the oil, then you might get some goodwill out of them.

I might be wrong and it might be clutch release bearing or similar. Either way I think the gearbox will need to come off.

[gweaver]

trickywoo said:

The cracking issue is interesting. Both of mine have it.

I also got very similar cracks in the dash screen of a 2017 Suzuki motorbike. Really annoying as it’s all you see when you look at the dash and a new screen is £100. The screen has never had more than a wipe with a damp microfibre cloth.

Thanks. I think that's five more with the same issue. I spoke with the dealer today and he will get in touch with Suzuki when I send him a bit more information. If anyone has a really good photo of the taillight cracks, please upload and I will try to share with the dealer.

[CJMCBAB]

gweaver said:

If the noise goes away when you put the clutch in, I think it could be the gearbox input shaft bearing.
See https://youtu.be/4o5DdN1tv_E & https://youtu.be/qs_iTXgDt40 and tell us if you think that's the noise.

The bearing could just have worn out with miles, but if the oil level hasn't been checked and has got low, that could cause premature wear. If the dealer hasn't checked the oil, then you might get some goodwill out of them.

I might be wrong and it might be clutch release bearing or similar. Either way I think the gearbox will need to come off.

Noise is still there when the clutch is pressed and the oil has been changed and filled as I checked it after it came back?? It's a bit more of a rattling sound than that video in my opinion but again, I'm clueless!

It is on it's original clutch but I personally (and I'm not an expert by any means!) think the noise is originating from near to the drive belt (engine accessory belt in my manual!)

Edited by CJMCBAB on Friday 7th May 18:50

[gweaver]

Ok, odd that it should be quiet when coasting in neutral then. Back to the consensus guess of knackered alternator bearing or tensioner/pulley. If it's one of those it shouldn't be that difficult for a competent mechanic to fix.

[CJMCBAB]

gweaver said:

Ok, odd that it should be quiet when coasting in neutral then. Back to the consensus guess of knackered alternator bearing or tensioner/pulley. If it's one of those it shouldn't be that difficult for a competent mechanic to fix.

That's good to know, hopefully it's only something relatively simple like that. I'm guessing if it is, it's just through age and wear and tear? She's been so good so it would be strange if it was something that generally should not go wrong - I was thinking the timing chain at first but that's probably unlikely now as they rarely go wrong and Suzuki's are usually pretty reliable.

Thanks for your advice mate!

[CJMCBAB]

Just a quick update:

Suzuki have responded, looking at the same video's I uploaded, the technician thinks the tappets may be slightly out? They advised me to check the oil level which is above full. Hoping to get it booked in and fixed by next week.

An easy fix do you think or maybe still a tensioner/bearing problem?

[trickywoo]

CJMCBAB said:

Just a quick update:

Suzuki have responded, looking at the same video's I uploaded, the technician thinks the tappets may be slightly out? They advised me to check the oil level which is above full. Hoping to get it booked in and fixed by next week.

An easy fix do you think or maybe still a tensioner/bearing problem?

Still think its a bearing problem myself. Quite likely the a/c compressor as I said on your other thread but even in person noises are hard to pin down.

Doesn't sound like a valve clearance issue to me.

[CJMCBAB]

I completely understand what you are saying!

I'll let Suzuki have a look at it and see what they say, hopefully sooner rather than later!

Thanks again!