Suzuki break-in/rpm issues.

localboy · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: Suzuki break-in/rpm issues.

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...

20dauntless · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject:

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.

localboy · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject:

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 or Very Mad

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.

jkidd · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject:

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.

DaveS · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:08 am Post subject:

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.

jkidd · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:21 am Post subject:

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.

localboy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:11 am Post subject:

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....

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:15 am Post subject:

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.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:18 am Post subject:

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

localboy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:23 am Post subject:

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". Embarassed

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. Laughing

localboy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:30 am Post subject:

Larry H · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:37 am Post subject:

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.

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:41 am Post subject:

Mark I did not notice, you should see Susan after a hard day at work. I hope you get the motor working. try tightening the clamps on the fuel bulb.

matt_unique · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:49 am Post subject: Also

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.

localboy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

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...