Parts for your 1987 Suzuki Swift-Oil seals

1987 Suzuki Swift oil seals — what they do and how to look after them

Oil seals are absolutely fitted to the 1987 Suzuki Swift. Factory technical references list them as standard parts on this model, including the Suzuki workshop manual for the SA/AA (G10/G13) Swift, the Suzuki Electronic Parts Catalogue, and the Gregory’s Service & Repair Manual for Suzuki Swift (AU/NZ market). Those sources show crankshaft (front and rear), camshaft, and transaxle/drive shaft oil seals as core components.

On a ’87 Swift, oil seals keep engine and gearbox lubricants where they belong while letting rotating shafts spin freely. Up front, the crankshaft seal sits behind the timing belt, at the back, the rear main seal lives between engine and gearbox, keeping oil out of the clutch. There’s also a camshaft oil seal under the rocker cover end, plus transaxle input/output and drive shaft seals that hold gearbox oil in and road grime out. When these little lip seals harden or wear, they’ll start to mist, weep, or outright drip.

They’re not a routine “every X kilometres” item, but smart servicing folds them into related jobs. If the timing belt and water pump are coming off, that’s prime time to swap the front crank and cam seals. Clutch out? Do the rear main seal while everything’s apart. Replacing CV shafts? It’s wise to pop in fresh transaxle output seals. It saves labour and avoids doing the same job twice.

Good practice that helps oil seals last longer includes:

• Keeping the PCV system clear so crankcase pressure doesn’t push oil past seals.
• Using the right oil grade and not overfilling.
• Inspecting shaft surfaces for grooves or corrosion that could chew up a new seal.
• Installing seals square and to depth, lightly oiling the lip, and checking spring tension.

Typical leak clues on a Swift are oil at the bottom of the timing cover (front crank/cam), clutch slip or oil between engine and gearbox (rear main), and gearbox oil around the driveshaft stubs (output seals). None of that’s the end of the world—these are common, inexpensive parts, and with the right timing, replacing them is straightforward and keeps the little Suzuki tidy and reliable.

• Does a 1987 Suzuki Swift use oil seals, and where are they?
  Yes. It has a front and rear crankshaft seal, a camshaft seal, and transaxle input/output and driveshaft seals. There’s also a distributor O-ring on some engines that acts like a small oil seal.
• When should oil seals be replaced on a ’87 Swift?
  Replace them when there’s visible leakage, during a timing belt/water pump service (front crank and cam), when the clutch is out (rear main), or when driveshafts are removed (transaxle output). It’s efficient and prevents repeat labour.
• What causes repeated oil-seal leaks on these cars?
  Common culprits are a blocked PCV raising crankcase pressure, worn or grooved shaft surfaces, incorrect installation, or the wrong seal spec. Heat and age also harden old seals, so fresh quality parts and correct fitment usually sort it.