Suzuki DT-2 overheating

Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Impeller looks like brand new. It's the kind where the impeller is in the housing just behind the prop. Motor is a 1990 I think. 2 stroke. I'm running 50:1

I removed the prop and ran it in a bucket to check water flow- the only safe way I could think to check it as the water exits right at the prop.
Put my finger over the outlet and seemed like good flow coming out, but with prop back on, pushing my canoe, after about 5 minutes, it gets stinkin' hot and starts to lose power. I'm afraid I'm cooking it.
I picked this up at an estate sale and it started and ran just fine.

Head gasket gone maybe?

I'll have to figure out where to put a telltale once I get it fixed.
 
Mas

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: Suzuki DT-2 overheating

I've got the same motor and fried my a couple of years back. I bought the motor used and did not know the previous history. The water passages were caked salt & corrosion. I was not paying attention (not proud...but honest) while running it and melted a lot of plastic during the overheat...including the tank!

I rebuilt the powerhead and replaced a lot of plastic (all for about $200) and now it runs like a top. I used a dremmel tool to ream and clear up all the cooling passages around the cylinders.

The point is, replace the impeller. Monitor the temp. Make sure that water is spitting through the little holes on the upper back side of the leg. If temps do not improve, open up the head and see if you have clear passages.

A tell-tale would be great, but I do not know if installing one would be an option. I too would like to hear if anyone had success putting one in on this model.

MAS
 
W

Whoopbass

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
653
Re: Suzuki DT-2 overheating

Removing the head is easy and would allow you to inspect and clean a lot of the cooling passages.
I've had a couple slightly older Suzuki 2 hp motors and they didn't have thru hub exhaust and water discharge like your describing. I think the only water outlet is out the small holes in the back of the leg.
Check and see if iboats has the head gasket since they use USPS priority mail. Shipping will be less then these places that ship with UPS only (providing you don't have a dealer that can get parts nearby).
 
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