Hello, I just bought a new 2013 9.9, 15" E start Suzuki 4 stroke outboard. I had it out Sat for the break n period. I put 10w-40 oil in it per owners manual. I ran it for about an hour and a half, at idle to no more that 1/4 throttle. (I have no experience with 4 strokes, just 2 cycles) About an hour into it I felt the front left portion of the cowling and it felt pretty warm, compared to a 2 cycle cowling. I took off the cowling and felt the engine. it was very warm, I would say portions were just barely too hot to touch or I could put my hand on parts for 5 sec before it was burning. One part was the metal section that holds the starter. I checked the water out of the pilot hole while running, cool to the touch. I then checked the oil. The oil off the dip stick was luke warm at best. With those 2 factors good, I ran it for another 1/2 hour. Motor didn't get any hot-er but it still was pretty hot compared to what I've been use to with 2 cycles. Is this normal with 4 strokes.
Also was going to put dolphin fin on motor, pros and cons please. The reason I was thinking about this was at the end of running it, I opened it up (WOT) for about 20 seconds or so. When I did, it sounded like it was sucking air into the prop. It is now mounted so the anti-cavitation plate is approx. 1" to 1.5" below bottom of boat per owners manual. The boat is a deep-v, but the rear of the boat is relatively flat at the bottom. The boat is a 14' aluminum starcraft. I will mess around with tilt of engine first. It was approx. same as other engines I've had on it. Thanks for any input on these matters.
Also was going to put dolphin fin on motor, pros and cons please. The reason I was thinking about this was at the end of running it, I opened it up (WOT) for about 20 seconds or so. When I did, it sounded like it was sucking air into the prop. It is now mounted so the anti-cavitation plate is approx. 1" to 1.5" below bottom of boat per owners manual. The boat is a deep-v, but the rear of the boat is relatively flat at the bottom. The boat is a 14' aluminum starcraft. I will mess around with tilt of engine first. It was approx. same as other engines I've had on it. Thanks for any input on these matters.
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