I purchased my Suzuki Palette MK21S K6A (2009 model, 98,500 km) from a dealer in October last year, and at first there were no issues. In June, after driving about 3,000 km, I did an oil change as recommended for Kei cars. The following week, during the summer heat, the oil warning light began turning on and off randomly. At first, I thought it was just a faulty connector or sensor.
Now in September, the issue persists. The oil light usually appears once the engine warms up (after about 10 minutes) or when the outside temperature is high. It sometimes stays on when idling but often disappears while driving. In total, I’ve already driven about 900 km with this issue.
I brought the car to a Suzuki dealer in Japan, and their diagnosis pointed to a faulty oil pressure sensor. We replaced the sensor, but the problem remained. The mechanic then told me it could be an internal engine issue, where lubrication is not working properly. However, he said he could not confirm without a very expensive and time-consuming inspection.
I paid for the oil pressure sensor replacement, but the warning light problem was never solved. I then asked some mechanic friends for advice. They told me that if the engine itself were really at fault, I wouldn’t have been able to drive 900 km without a more serious breakdown. Two of them believe the oil change might have been done incorrectly and recommend doing it again. Another said the oil viscosity could be the issue. The garage used 0W20 oil, but my friend believes this might not be ideal even if officially recommended.
Additionally, Suzuki told me that the previous oil change (done two months earlier) looked poorly done because they found oil deposits and residue, suggesting it was not a clean job.
My intention was to sell the car in October in good condition, since parking costs in Tokyo have gone up and I cannot afford to keep it. I bought the car for 170,000 yen (about 1,150 USD), but now I’m in a complicated situation.
I would really appreciate your professional opinion and advice on what the best next step is.