Recall experience

[Ronzuki]

My recall/warranty experiences have been very good thus far with the SX4 and Kizashi at the dealer I use. Had the Kiz's steering wheel replaced some time ago and it was done quickly and without any addition problems or damage. The spider vent fix, rear shocks w/ the new bushing and the wife's SX4 passenger seat cushion. All good.

That said, pick your battles, and the shift lock thing is one I'm def. passing on. Don't trust anyone messing with the plastic inside for reasons described above. Reading a service manual would go along way towards eliminating most of those problems. Sadly, even though they're the only ones that have free access to them, dealers' mechanics rarely use them. Suzuki is usually pretty good with providing very detailed instructions with their OE accessories as well, so there's really no excuse for damage. Bottom line, the majority of the "professionals" will never take as much time or care as you or I would.

[red rider]

I hear you. Had my shift lever recall done last Friday, no problems, whatsoever. I feel lucky because the mechanic owns a Kizashi himself and he's very careful and detail oriented.

[SamirD]

I hate to hear of your experience. It saddens me that you'll have to live with the marks now.

The spider recall is much more in-depth than just changing the vent tube itself. If there are spider webs found inside them and the tank, the entire tank and all the lines to the vent tube get replaced. It's a very serious job. That being said, I think the quick fix of putting a screen on the existing tube is solid if there's no evidence of spiders yet.

[SamirD]

I know my friend with the BMW doesn't get any of that crap. He gets a cappuccino and a loaner. We get a damaged car.

This isn't the case either. I own a Porsche and have a very good friend that was a Ferrari tech. Some of the stuff that techs did to Ferrari owners was outrageous for a $10k+ service.

Bottom line, NO ONE will love your car like you will, and it will always be a risk letting anyone do anything, even as simple as an oil change (or even valeting it for that matter). Best way to mitigate the risk--do it yourself.

[KuroNekko]

Sorry but I did not take pictures. I did include pictures from the original work instruction. Really simply though.

1) Remove the wheel well liner. Half a dozen plastic clips, some screw plastic nuts.

2) Pull the vent hose out of the clip that holds it in place. This is located to the right of the shock mount at the top of the wheel well.

3) Cover the end with something like a piece of window screen material. I tie wrapped it in 2 places and then just put the hose right back in the clip.

4) Replace wheel well liner. Done!

Thanks for this. I haven't got around to taking the car in for this, but if this really would curb the spider risk, then I'd rather do the mod myself. I'm thinking one or two lint traps for the washing machine should work fine.

[SamirD]

Sorry but I did not take pictures. I did include pictures from the original work instruction. Really simply though.

1) Remove the wheel well liner. Half a dozen plastic clips, some screw plastic nuts.

2) Pull the vent hose out of the clip that holds it in place. This is located to the right of the shock mount at the top of the wheel well.

3) Cover the end with something like a piece of window screen material. I tie wrapped it in 2 places and then just put the hose right back in the clip.

4) Replace wheel well liner. Done!

Thanks for this. I haven't got around to taking the car in for this, but if this really would curb the spider risk, then I'd rather do the mod myself. I'm thinking one or two lint traps for the washing machine should work fine.

In the case of your car KuroNekko, since you've found the exact spider mentioned in the recall inside and outside your car, I wouldn't take the risk of not taking it in. If you read the TSB, the inspection procedure is quite involved and even more so if something is found. It's not just as simple as changing the vent tube.

The only thing I could think of that would completely mitigate any spider problems that are already there would be to somehow inject fuel from the vent tube back to the tank, hopefully dissolving any existing spider webs and flushing any spiders into the tank. Then putting a filter (or replacing the tube with the newly redesigned one) should keep them out from now on.

[nytq]

I guess I should make a statement here since our world revolves around liability. Don't do this unless your convinced spider activity has not occurred. Everything I have read about the few occurrences says that if you do have the spider nesting than you will have an adverse affect. Most likely throwing a service light. I have not found that type of spider where my car normally sits. Its either in a garage are work parking lot. So my guess based on my observations is it that I won't likely see one. Also no unusual service lights. So just be smart about your decision. The recall process is so lengthy because they are hunting for the spider. I'm basing my move on the fact that there is no spider and I don't want one moving in.

[SamirD]

I guess I should make a statement here since our world revolves around liability. Don't do this unless your convinced spider activity has not occurred. Everything I have read about the few occurrences says that if you do have the spider nesting than you will have an adverse affect. Most likely throwing a service light. I have not found that type of spider where my car normally sits. Its either in a garage are work parking lot. So my guess based on my observations is it that I won't likely see one. Also no unusual service lights. So just be smart about your decision. The recall process is so lengthy because they are hunting for the spider. I'm basing my move on the fact that there is no spider and I don't want one moving in.

I had assumed all this (as most of us probably did), but I'm glad you put it out there!

[KuroNekko]

In the case of your car KuroNekko, since you've found the exact spider mentioned in the recall inside and outside your car, I wouldn't take the risk of not taking it in. If you read the TSB, the inspection procedure is quite involved and even more so if something is found. It's not just as simple as changing the vent tube.

The only thing I could think of that would completely mitigate any spider problems that are already there would be to somehow inject fuel from the vent tube back to the tank, hopefully dissolving any existing spider webs and flushing any spiders into the tank. Then putting a filter (or replacing the tube with the newly redesigned one) should keep them out from now on.

Yeah, you're probably right and I'll most likely take it to the service dealer to get it properly done. The main reason being there's one not too far from me and it's right by a Metro station. For those who live hundreds of miles away from a service dealer, nytq's modification may be a viable option depending on whether there's an infestation or not.

[LPSISRL]

Was the tech guy that worked on your Kizashi a Japanese guy or "american"?

His name looked domestic.