Initially the problem was only when really cold and only for a couple of seconds at start up. Then didnt stop until I pulled away. Now it happens for the first few gear changes of a journery. The noise is worse outside the car by the bonnet than inside. I have a gut feeling it is the clutch. I have only had the car for a year so wasnt sure whether me or car. But it is hard to change down into third. It seems to have become more difficult to put the car into reverse than it was initially. I checked the fan belt and thought it was fine. I took it into a garage and they insisted it was the fan belt and changed it for £80. The car still squeals. Now they are suggesting it might be the cam belt. My gut instinct is that it is the clutch because of the fact it happens at gear changes and seases seconds after the clutch is let out. It only appears to happens when the weather is very cold. On mild mornings it isnt noticable. It doesnt persist for long in any journey. In all other respects the car responds normally no loss of power etc, The car had new brakes fitted a year ago last September when I bought and have been brilliant. The car is a one litre suzuki swift 1998 three door hatchback. What are your thoughts.
I think that the difficulty in shifting is unrelated to the squeal. I had a '99 Swift that had belt squeal all the time first thing in the morning, and I did not want to tighten the belt too much as it is bad for the alternator and water pump bearings. However, I did figure out a way to make it *******. When the noise happened, I would make the DRLs turn off by pulling the handbrake up just one click, and the noise would immediately cease. If this works for you, then you have identified the problem. It seems as though the alternator loads up too much. Not a big deal though.
As for the shifting, check to see that your clutch cable is properly adjusted. It should not be too loose or too tight, it should be set so that there is about a 1/4 inch of play at the clutch pedal.
Good luck with your Swift, they're great little cars!
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