Suzuki engines

[crashnburn63]

Hi-

I'm looking at a boat advertised in craigslist that looks to be very close to what I want. However, the motor is a 15hp Suzuki outboard. Don't have any more details than that yet.. But anyone want to venture an opinion as to how Suzuki motors compare w.r.t reliability to Merc, Honda, etc.

Thanks,

-dm

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Suzuki engines

They have a good reputation but like any engine, how well it was taken care of and how it was used has a bearing on whether or not it turns out to be a "good" motor. Case in point: Chrysler outboards have a rather negative reputation yet properly taken care of they were "good" motors. Engines from every manufacturer have one or two things that some might consider a negative. That does not make them "bad engines". If it's any consolation, I am taking delivery of a new pontoon powered by a Suzy.

 

[crashnburn63]

Re: Suzuki engines

I got some more info from the guy selling it. He says it is an 89 or 90, 2 stroke, pull start. Says it ran fine until last year when he "put some bad gas thru it". Sound it sounds like at minimum, it needs a carb rebuild. But OTOH, his asking price for the boat, trailer, and motor is less than the new list price of the boat alone (an alum. Duroboat), and about 1/2 of what I've seen competing listings for. So I'm wondering what's the worse case $$ for a carb rebuild and major servicing on this type of engine.

-dm

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Suzuki engines

If the guy said "it ran ok until it got some bad gas" that could mean a multitude of things from clogged carbs to a a total engine failure because he ran it lean and burned a piston. So the range of repair can be as simple as a fuel filter and fresh fuel to a total engine rebuild. A word of caution -- if you can't hear it run you better consider the engine as scrap because there is a good chance thats what you have. But if you are a risk taker, have at it. At least take a compression gauge with you so you can check compression. It doesn't need to run to make that test. The other rule of thumb is "if it sounds to good to be true, it generally is!"