Common Outboard Problems and How to Prevent Them
Inadequate maintenance can cause problems with even the most dependable outboards. The good news is that most issues can be prevented by adopting a few easy practices. Here are five outboard issues that are frequently encountered, along with tips on how to prevent them from ruining your boating day. If one of them has already struck, the outboard troubleshooting guide works through the symptoms.
1. Fuel System Failures
Issue: Fuel containing ethanol degrades and absorbs moisture, blocking injectors and filters.
Prevention: Use a fuel stabilizer at all times, keep tanks full, and change the fuel/water separator filter on a regular basis; the Suzuki fuel requirements guide covers octane, ethanol limits and storage.
2. Corroded Electrical Connections
Issue: Corrosion from salt and moisture results in electrical shorts or no starts.
Prevention: Apply corrosion inhibitor spray or dielectric grease to connections and rinse the powerhead after each trip.
3. Blocked Water Flow Causes Overheating
Issue: The engine overheats due to debris clogging the water intakes.
Prevention: Check your water pump impeller once a year (Suzuki's schedule is inspect every 200 hours or 12 months, replace every 300 hours or 36 months; see the impeller interval guide) and flush the engine after each use. A water pump repair kit includes the impeller and gaskets.
4. Damage to the Gearcase
Issue: Gear or bearing failure results from operating with little or contaminated gear oil.
Prevention: Check for water intrusion (milky oil) and change the lower unit gear oil each season with hypoid gear oil.
5. Ineffective Propeller Performance
Issue: Over-revving or slow acceleration are caused by improper prop size.
Prevention: Match the diameter and pitch of your propeller to the weight of your boat and the full-throttle RPM range of your engine.
Bottom Line
The majority of malfunctions are avoidable and not the result of bad luck. You can keep your outboard operating like new and avoid expensive repairs by doing routine maintenance and using the proper materials.