Vitara's Power Loss & Fuel Issues Need Expert Help

Had similar symptoms with my 2016 Suzuki S-Cross Diesel. Initially thought it was minor, but diagnostic tests revealed issues with the turbocharger and damaged piston rings causing loss of cylinder pressure. The symptoms match what you describe, increased fuel consumption, power loss, and warning lights. These signs often point to compression problems, which can stem from worn piston rings or a failing turbocharger system. Since your timing belt and injectors are recently serviced, focus should be on: Compression test across all cylinders, Turbocharger inspection for shaft play and boost pressure, Check intake manifold for potential leaks, Evaluate crankshaft endplay My repair required replacing the turbocharger assembly and piston rings. It was a major job requiring engine disassembly. The original issue started small but caused additional internal engine damage because I waited too long. This type of problem typically worsens quickly and can lead to complete engine failure if not addressed. Would strongly suggest getting a proper diagnosis soon, as continuing to drive with low compression can cause irreversible damage to the camshaft and other critical components.

Thanks for sharing those details about the turbocharger and piston rings repair. Had nearly identical issues with my Vitara last year. The engine kept losing power and fuel economy was getting worse by the day. Got it fixed at a specialist shop and it has been running perfectly since. Just wondering, do you remember roughly what the total repair cost was? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Asking because I sometimes still hear a slight whistling sound when accelerating hard.

After my major repair involving the turbocharger and piston rings, everything has been running perfectly. The engine knocking completely disappeared once they fixed the cylinder pressure fluctuation. A proper compression test showed all cylinders working normally again. The repair actually ended up costing 0€ since they determined the failing turbocharger was a consequential error from a previous repair that was still under warranty. The shop properly diagnosed both the crankshaft endplay and failing spark plug issues that were connected to the original problem. About the whistling sound you mentioned, I would get that checked soon. While my engine is now whisper quiet during acceleration, unusual sounds like that can indicate early turbo problems. Sometimes small issues with the fuel injector system can also cause similar noises. Better to catch these things early before they cause more serious damage.

Thanks everyone for the detailed feedback. After dealing with all the symptoms, I finally took my Vitara to a specialist diesel shop. The mechanic found the turbocharger was starting to fail, causing the power loss and increased fuel consumption. The intake manifold also had a small crack that was affecting engine performance. Total repair came to 2100€ including parts and labor. They replaced the turbocharger assembly and sealed the intake manifold. The engine is running like new now, full power restored and fuel consumption back to normal. No more check engine light or strange noises. Definitely learned my lesson about getting issues checked promptly by qualified specialists rather than waiting or using cheaper repair shops. The diagnostic testing helped catch everything before it caused major engine damage. Really glad I got a second opinion here before proceeding with repairs.