Suzuki break-in/rpm issues.

L

localboy

New member
Here's an e-mail I just sent Matt @ Kitsap Marine. I need other opinions/input or I won't sleep tonight. I probably still won't. This is the first new 4 stroke OB and I followed procedure to a "T" but this...

I took her out for her intitial trial run in Lake Stevens and I wanted to break the engine in prior to any salt water trip. I followed the manual break-in procedure for the Suzuki per the manual. I warmed it up at idle for 5 minutes. Started fine, shot water out of the engine etc. I then ran her for 15 minutes in gear at idle. Again, no problems and it was a very leisurely cruise. We then circled the lake in gear at 2K rpm's. No problems and below the 3k rpm max as outline in the break-in procedure. I attempted to get the rpm's up to 3K as the break in procedure and this is where I ran into a problem. The engine immediately "bogged" down, began running very rough and the rpm's dropped to under 1K. The engine then died. No alarms sounded. Started the engine and each time I got near 3K the engine did the same thing; bogged, idle dropped, no alarms, etc. If I throttled up, the engine would still drop rmps. I could not go over approx. 2500 rpm. Per the manual audible alarms indicating A. oil pressure caution B. Cooling water caution C. Diagnostic system issue would sound if those problems existed; none did. Engine died two more times. We limped it back to the dock at idle rpm's. Still no alarms. Put it on the trailer and home. Oil is full and I had checked level prior to leaving the house and engine still shot water out indicating cooling was working fine. Suggestions? Should I drag it down there? Guess I need to get some "ear-muffs" to I can start the engine on the trailer and see what happens.
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like a fuel problem. Your filters should all be clean since it's a brand new boat, but you should still probably check them. Make sure no air is getting into the system as well. I'm sure Matt will take care of you soon. Good luck.
 
My lovely wife said the same, which shocked the you know what out of me 'cause she knows squat about mechanical things.

It is new fuel with the proper amount of blue Stabil, fuel water seperator in line from tank to engine etc. Matt did mention replacing the filter after the first tank, but this was less than an hour of total boating. :evil: Still could be I guess. And yes I'm sure Matt will take care of me, but Port Orchard is 2 hrs and a trip across the bridge from me.
 
Mine will pulse at 3000 rpm. The first time I saw this was on my Crestliner with a 140hp Johnson. The C-dory will do the same thing with the 115hp Suzuki. The solution to my problem was the primer bulb wasn't tight. Just pump the primer bulb till it's rock hard and the problem goes away. Let me know if that solves it. Sweet dreams.
 
My thoughts are that at the higher RPMs, the connection of the fuel line to the engine might not be secure enough and causing a loss of prime. I just tried to call Mark on his cell phone (he didn't answer so I left a voice mail) to ask if the primer bulb was soft after the engine died....so we are thinking along somewhat the same lines Jody.
 
As my dealer on the Crestliner explained it to me. Suzukis have 2 fuel pumps, a low pressure pump to deliver gas to the engine and a high pressure pump to deliver gas to the injectors. When the primer bulb isn't tight the low pressure pump can't deliver enough fuel the engine kind of boggs down or pulses at around 3000 rpms. That is how my dealer explained it to me and it worked. I was down at Lake Powell when it first happened to me. 5 hours from home and pissed that it wouldn't run. I called the dealer and he gave me the scoup and I was happy again. Since then it has happened 2 or 3 more times with allways the same solution.
 
Thanks, guys. As usual, you are a wealth of info and experience. I have tomorrow off so based on what I am reading here and of course what Matt advises, I'll probably get an ear-muff, put it on the engine and start it. I'll then check the fuel delivery system, hoses, filter, bulb etc. The bulb was NOT rock hard as I'm used to in the old 2 strokes. It was "mushy", even on start up, and I pumped it probably ~15+/- times. The engine did start, as I stated, and I checked it as we were idling around the lake in gear; still mushy. Didn't re-check it once the issue arose though. I was focused on getting back to Davie's Beach dock/ramp, as we were in the middle of the lake, and the safety of the truck & trailer [I have no kicker yet].

One positive: Meredith asks me "we don't have a back up engine?" [rhetorical question from her]...me: "...Nope...the money tree was bare." Her: "Perhaps we should re-visit that, and get one and pay for it out of savings, especially before we venture out into The Sound." I love my wife....
 
I just meet Mark today right before he left for the lake. Nice boat. My money is on a fuel leak or more likely a line sucking air. While we were talking mark talked about smelling fuel behind the boat. I am willing to bet its a fuel bulb that had gas in it and got warm sittling in the sun and the expanding gas caused a leak.
 
Mark,

I'm fairly certain this wasn't your problem but the one time we had problems with the inability to prime the bulb was last season when I turned the fuel selector handle the wrong way. Instead of changing it from the starboard (tank) to the port (tank), I turned it to nothing. Naturally, I couldn't get the bulb hard, the engine used up the remaining fuel and we ran out of gas.

Just a thought. :wink
 
Tom, Meredith said she owe's you an apology. SHe said she was basically ignorant of the fact that anyone was standing there with me. She implored me to tell you she apologizes and to make sure you know she's not a "snot". :oops: SHe was just really tired after a very hectic day at the hospital. She started to "faze out" on the boat...until the engine died.

It was good to meet you Tom and share stories of cars that "normal" folks wouldn't understand. I look forward to your instructions on catching fish in the PNW. I mentioned the Halibut to Meredith and she is on board with ME catching and cleaning them. :lol:
 
Jazzmanic":7kvdryrf said:
Mark,

I'm fairly certain this wasn't your problem but the one time we had problems with the inability to prime the bulb was last season when I turned the fuel selector handle the wrong way. Instead of changing it from the starboard (tank) to the port (tank), I turned it to nothing. Naturally, I couldn't get the bulb hard, the engine used up the remaining fuel and we ran out of gas.

Just a thought. :wink
Click to expand...

Only one tank and fuel line but I've got a LOT to learn about this boat. This was only the beginning and I'm glad I decided to just do the lake vs. the Sound. I told Tom I did smell gas just as he arrived (I had just pulled the boat out of the driveway in anticipation of the lake). The bilge was clear and the smell was minor, dissipated quickly and did not return. :? Still needs a look though but I ran out of daylight.
 
A tip on fuel primer bulbs:

The check valves in a primer bulb work by gravity, point the arrow on the bulb up, towards the sky when pumping the bulb.

To prevent air leaking into the fuel lines, all connections should be tight. The hose should not turn on any hose barb or the barbs on the primer bulb. Another place to check for air leaks is the o-ring in the connector at the engine. The o-ring has to be in good shape and the fuel line connector has to be fully seated on the matching motor connector.

Larry H
Retired outboard mechanic.
 
Also verify your fuel vent is not clogged. This can happen on new boats from critters making nests and what not.

Good luck - I know this is very disconcerting with a new engine and I'm sure there is a good explanation for it once you track it down. Suzuki engines are outstanding.
 
Just got off the phone with John @ Kitsap. Gonna drag the boat down there so they can go through the fuel system. He thinks it's a fuel related issue but they'll have to go through and eleminate possible causes. Gonna leave it for them. More to follow...
 
I should post something since my name has come up.

We will certainly take care of the issue. I defer to John in our service department, because he has the most knowledge. Hate it when these new boat things crop up, but that's what the warranty is for.

See you later today Mark!
 
Ill be betting on the fact that the boat sat unsold but rigged with fuel in it [probably untreated] for a while and the vapor separator is bollixed up . Or a bad bulb . Probably something simple ! But always frustrating on a maiden voyage .
Im sure the Kitsap boys will get her going !
Marc
 
Sorry that you have to make the trek back to the dealer. One question...why didn't you take the boat out quickly with the dealer when you took delivery? When we got the C-Dory last spring Master Marine launched it for us (we don't have a trailer) and took it out with us briefly to make sure there weren't any issues. I assume Kitsap would do the same. Perhaps you just didn't have time when you picked up the boat?
 
Larry mentioned the oring and I remember something from my first year on Susan E. We were leaving the dock and idle was just fine but everytime I tryed to power up it died. The fuel connections was on but not ALL the WAY on. It would allow enough gas to enter to run a idle but not at power. I really had to press hard to get the connection to seat on right. Some times its the little things.
 
Back
Top