87' suzuki 115 problems

outbord_115

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Aug 13, 2008
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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

I put a new coil on it, and it didnt solve my problem. I can tell the cylinder is firing now but it still doesn't plane off.... I was wondering I replaced the plugs with B8hs 10 which were what was in it to begin with, But the book calls for BR8hs will this cause problems when firing? A boat mechanic told me it would so I decided to check and sure enough I got the wrong damn plugs in there. also this may sound stupid but does suzuki consider this 115 a v-4 b/c everthing is reffered to v-4 in the book never a s-4 but to me it looks like a straight-4.
 

bowhuntrrl

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Mar 26, 2003
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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

... This boat is turning into a money pit!!!!

Guess you never head the definition of a boat: A hole in the water that you throw money in to !!! There's also BOAT-bring on another thousand.
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

well the plugs didn't help either. I have tried coil replacement, fuel pump kit, all new fuel line,throttle postion sensor, cleaned carbs, removed oil injection, did compression test all cylinders at 120, and cleaned fuel tank. But the motor still idles great for about 20 seconds then starts idling real rough everytime you crank it up. On the trailer at the boat ramp I can throttle up in forward and it seems to run great up to 3000 rpms,then it misses real bad and comes back down to 2000 rpms and won't go back above 3000rpms until I throttle it back down. any other advice(especially cheap advice) would be greatly appreciated.
 

James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

I think we have done all the first aid from remote. Lots of things still to do but I would need it in my shop to clear it up. If you are anywhere near Charlotte NC call me 704 219 2578.
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

I'm in Texas, not to close to you. I guess I might have to suck it up and take it to a mechanic and pay a hole lot of money and get no result... since no ones has anymore advice for me. thanks for all the help.
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

not really I'm in Texas, well I guess if no one else has any suggestions I will have to take it to a boat mechanic, I really do not have the money to spend on a darn mechanic. does any one believe the problem may be the unit that controls the coils?
 

bowhuntrrl

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

Have you tested the stator for output?? Some of the coils are for firing at low speed, and some take over at high speed. Take your manual and a multimeter and see if you can find the test procedure in the book. Another possibility is still the fuel system. Have you checked the fuel pressure and also the vacuum at the fuel pump?? I recently bought a tester at Harbor Freight for about $15 so that I can test my DT-85 which seems to run out of fuel (different symptoms from yours).
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

I haven't tried either one of those suggestions I will read on those tonight. what symptoms are you having? I may need to go buy this tester you are talking about, does it test pressure and vaccum?
 

Yamajoe

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Oct 31, 2007
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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

Get your self a timing light, run the mootr on muffs and check that all spark wires are firing by observing the light - you need consistent intermitment spark;

Since you have removed the carbs a few time, redo you link and sinc and check your static retard and WOT timing setiings; run the motor on muffs and check retard timing with a timing light;

There is a great prcedure outlined in one of these forum posts for dry land WOT timing setting procedure; worth giving it a go, it works for me; or you can tie the boat down oin the trailer, backup in the water on ramp and run you WOT test.

The final thing you should check is your choke (manual or electrothermal or other) settings, it sounds to me that your are choking when going to forward.
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

is there a special timing light or can I use a regular timing light? it is an electric choke but I took the front cover of and it doesn't seem to be choking at wot. I will try to time it and sinc it... thanks for the suggestions. could the cdi be shot? I was thinking of changing it but I guess I should check the timing first.
 

Yamajoe

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

regular timing light will do, a good manual will set out test procedures, equipment etc you need to test the cdi, test the cdi first to discount it as the source of the problem - this will save you big bucks;
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

I would like to test the cdi but my clymers manual only shows a diagram of the location and how to remove it thats it. could you post how to test it so I can eliminate/determine it as the problem?
 

Yamajoe

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

i will try and dig this info out and get back to you: in your very first post your lat line said " I did notice a very small leak at the fuel filter could that effect it running that much?".

did you correct this problem? there must be no, i repeat leaks, in your entire fuel system, apart from the danger caused by some gas and wild spark, a leak or restriction in the system will cause the problems you are describing.
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

I don't see any other leaks I replaced the fuel filter and all the fuel lines and clamps. this boat is really stumping me. if you could dig out the info I would appreciate it. I would like to take the boat out this weekend and have a good outing for once!!!
 

hankll

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Sep 10, 2006
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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

Sorry to hear you are still having problems. I would have to agree that remote help has run its course. And I will also tell you that I have been told by more than a few that the CDI isn't usually the culprit on Suzuki's. And since its so expensive thats a good thing. The fact it does run for a little bit before it starts cutting out just seems to be a fuel starved problem or somehow an over loading of fuel. Not being there is a drawback to being able to tell how it acts when it starts doing that. But again, it could be something in the ignition breaking down. A mechanic can usually quickly determine what the problem is. The key (IMHO) is not going to a dealer mechanic, as far as the cheapest way, at least. No slam on their mechanical ability. I found a mechanic who was friendly and understood I didn't have a lot of money, and many times offered his advice of what in his experience what the problem might be, and let me do my own repair to save me money. That's going to be a hard order to find a mechanic who is friendly enough that would do that. My mechanic was also slammed in his repair shop, so I would have had to wait weeks for any repairs to be done, so maybe in the interest of good business, he knew if he helped me out I'd certainly come back when I really needed him.
 

outbord_115

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Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

yea I talked to a very knowlegeable mechanic e said in 15 years he has only seen two cdi go bad. so he said it was unlikely to be the culprit. he told me to check the senor by the flywheel and be sure it was .010 from the flywheel, he said if it wasn't it could cause the problems I have described. he also said to disconnect the tach when those go bad they will cause problems too. so I will be trying those two things. we will see!! I just don't see how it could be a fuel issue... i choked the motor when it was boggin down and it didn't make any difference. later I took a hose off the carb while the motor was running it seemed to be pumping good, however when I reved the engine I didn't see much of a change in flow.... is that normal? If this doens't fix it a mechanic told me he could put it on the dyno jet for 125.00 and tell me exactly what the problem is... is this a reasonable price? will it find exact problem like he said it will? thanks for your help hankll and yamajoe.
 

outbord_115

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Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Messages
32
Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

Have you tested the stator for output?? Some of the coils are for firing at low speed, and some take over at high speed. Take your manual and a multimeter and see if you can find the test procedure in the book. Another possibility is still the fuel system. Have you checked the fuel pressure and also the vacuum at the fuel pump?? I recently bought a tester at Harbor Freight for about $15 so that I can test my DT-85 which seems to run out of fuel (different symptoms from yours).

thanks for you help too! how do you check the vacuum at the fuel pump?
 

grid

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Oct 29, 2002
Messages
232
Re: 87' suzuki 115 problems

Lots of shotgun here. When you refer to "gunning it" I assume this is in neutral. This is a great way to destroy the engine. The RPM range you describe almost indicates it's going into rev-limit. On the '87, this can be caused by a temp sender, a water-flow sender, or the oil filter. You should have a multimeter on your console that will give you a rev-limit indication. Even if you don't have the gauge, the engine will protect itself if a sensor indicates a problem. Now, let's start with basics. Run the engine at idle with backpressure, ie, in the water. Using plug-boot removal pliers, remove 1 plug boot at a time and reinstall it until you positively identify the offending cylinder because the RPM won't drop. At this point you know you have 120# compression, so you need spark and fuel. Spray carb cleaner directly into the carb throat for that cylinder. If the engine picks up RPM, the problem is not enough fuel. R&R the carb and clean it properly. Many times the problem at idle is the air meteriing jet on top of the carb. As far as checking float level, don't turn the carb upside down. Turn it so the float pin is up and the float hanging down and the float lightly touching the needle. In this position, maske the adjustment that makes the float parallel to the body. If you have fuel, the last thing is spark. Again, pull the plug boot away from the plug and listen for spark jumping. If you can't hear it, there isn't any, that simple. You've tried swapping coils and thought that was the problem, but replacing the coil wasn't the answer. I've been servicing Suzukis since 79 and have quite a bit of experience and tech schooling on them, including working for Suzuki. All you need to do with these engines, as with any brand, is take a systematic approach each time you work on it. Haphazard repairs just compound the problem. If your service manual refers to a V4 and you have the I-4 (which you do, as Suzuki didn't make a V4, only a 90 and 100), only the theory of operation is the same. The carbs are not, including idle adustment and synchronization of linkage. Back up, take a deep breath, slow down and try it my way.
 
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