Hope it's not knackered!!!

[codprawn]

My new 15hp Suzuki 4 stroke that is - discovered what caused my problem the other day - piece of black gaffer tape covering the grille at the bottom of the cavitation plate which I assume is the water intake!!!

The telltale was fine - the engine was going great - then after about 1.5hrs the engine suddenly lost all power - there was steam coming out of the telltale - shut the engine down straight away.

Engine restarted no probs and water coming out of telltale again - made my way back - low on power for a min or so then suddenly back to normal.

When I checked the engine over today found this neat little piece of tape over the grille - I was HORRIFIED!!! Would it have been put there for flushing or has it been there from new - the bloke I bought it off only used it 3 times!!!

I hope no permanent damage done - engine DID run ok on way back - corner of the tape was loose - must have flapped out of the way again.

Am going to try the engine later today but confidence in it slightly rattled!!!

[Jizm]

I would think it would be ok, The tape must have been put there for some bizarre reason as you say. Try asking the previous owner?

[jyasaki]

Don't know the layout on your Suzi, but my old Honda 40-4 had three water screens. One on each side of the lower unit, plus another on the underside of the cavitation plate above the prop.

To flush the motor, you have to use the muffs, plus tape off the third screen to keep it from sucking air.

I would assume that your motor is pretty similar, and if it has the other intakes, there wouldn't be all that much of a problem.

Now that I think about it, my friends' Nissan 25 was set up the same way. Both his and mine have run all day on occasion with the third screen taped off without any anomalies.

I can't think what could have caused your problem, though, unless you picked up a piece of kelp or a plastic bag that covered the other two screens.

Most new engines have all kinds of auto-shutdown electronics that do a pretty fair job of protecting the motor. Do a compression check, and listen for any telltale lower engine sounds; if comp is OK and it's not making noise, an oil change is probably all it needs.

Best of luck;

jky

[codprawn]

Can't find any other water pickups - if only I had the manual....

Hopefully the elctronics have done the job!!! As to the oil I have just checked it and it is still nice and clean - looks brand new - not a hint of colour with it yet - shows the bloke was telling the truth about only using it 3 times!!!

[simmons0]

If it is knackered, we have a nearly new Suzuki 15 4/s longshaft sitting in our garage...

[codprawn]

Well if you have one - could you please tell me if that grille under the cavitation plate is the only water pickup???

[Richard B]

Outboard motors are designed to take a lot of abuse. I'm sure it will be fine.

[codprawn]

Thanks Richard - I just wish SOMEBODY would go and have a look and tell me where and how many water pickups there are!!!

[roycruse]

I havnt got a 15hp engine but the suzuki website says single water pickup for engines 15hp and smaller.

http://www.suzuki-marine.co.uk/motors/features.php

[codprawn]

Thanks for that - have just managed to download the complete parts manual which shows great exploded diags for everything - perfectly clear on that - some nob HAD covered up the only water intake with black tape - tape was so neat and black couldn't even see it until I looked close with the engine on a stand. I think a bit had flapped back which is why water was ok for a while - still if it was coming out of the telltale it HAD to be coming through!!!

http://www.brownspoint.com/

EXCELLENT link for Suzuki owners!!!

Why can't suzuki put their manuals on line like Yamaha do???