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Old 24 August 2008, 15:29   #1
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Country: Ireland
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Suzuki DT55 - Poor TellTail Flow

Hi,
Just recently joined the forum - What a wealth of information! Have spent all day in work reading through the site - my brain is now bleeding!

Anyway, I have a Suzi DT55 (she's a 1995 model but been very well looked after). I bought my rib back in April, but noticed the tell-tail water flow was very poor. The former owner has owned the engine and boat from new and used to poke a bit of wire in the spout to unclog it, but it still wasn't too strong a flow coming through.
The engine runs extremely well and doesn't feel that she's overheating in any-way.

Any ideas what could be causing this poor flow? Is this an indication that the impellor is on its way out?
I'm relatively new to the boating scene, so am a bit green when it comes to marine mechanics.

Any and all advice would be welcomed.

Thanks
Steve.
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Old 24 August 2008, 17:00   #2
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Welcome to the forum.

My Suzi 55 used to need the nozzle unblocking with a bit of wire sometimes.

However, I'd always suggest changing the impellor on any engine new to you, its not an expensive part, and is quite easy to do, so well worth doing for peace of mind.

Do you know when the impellor was last changed?
Or how many hours its done since?

Nasher.
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Old 24 August 2008, 20:37   #3
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Don't know exactly when it was changed, just know he said it had been done recently (when I bought her in April) and he'd used a genuine Suzuki part.
Is this the 1st sign of the impellor wearing?

How often do you change it?


Cheers
Steve
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Old 24 August 2008, 21:40   #4
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I change the impeller annually, but it's your call. Depends on useage (hours) and working environment. It's also worth looking at the water pump assembly. If there is scoring on the stainless-steel housing, then replace this too. There should be a kit for your particular model.

You can get salt crystals forming in the water cooling passages, so it's important to flush the engine regularly after use. I'd also check the thermostat housing. Again this is an area that can 'salt up'.

To avoid damaging the tell-tale with metal wire, use a length of strimmer cord. It's rigid and flexible - perfect for the job.
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Old 25 August 2008, 14:56   #5
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Thanks for the advice - Much Appreciated!!
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Old 25 August 2008, 23:01   #6
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Those DT Soozooks are notorious for salt crystals blocking the tell tale.
You can normally use a piece of fishing line to clear the crystals, but you may need to go past the flexible hose of the tell tale to the outlet spiggot on the powerhead.
Our local Soozook dealer used to recommend drilling out the tell tale to avoid these blockages.
If the impeller isn't doing its job and no water gets up to the powerhead, your monitor gauge should show a warning light and the alarm beeper will sound.
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Old 26 August 2008, 10:43   #7
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Check thermostat and housing for salt build up. We ran twin 55s a while back one was always weaker than the other until a better mechanic cleared out all the build up. Back came a nice strong tele tale and it cooled better!
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Old 26 August 2008, 16:58   #8
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That all sounds spot on, as the previous owner only used the boat in salt water, whereas I'm now using in both salt & fresh.
He gave me the workshop manual with the boat - I've next weekend off work - so that's me sorted - Will get her stripped down.

Is there anything I should be aware of when stripping the impellor and thermostat? Any wee tricks or tips?


Steve
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Old 26 August 2008, 22:08   #9
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On fitting the impeller lightly grease it and the housing with a suitable marine grease. Refer to Suzuki manual - but impeller blades should slide into the housing without creasing. Turn drive-shaft clockwise to assist. Drive shaft spline should also be greased before reassembly.

Regards the thermostat - use a spray release or penetrating oil such as duck-oil or WD40 on the bolts prior to disassembly. Bolts have been known to sheer, so save yourself the job of having to drill them out. Once the thermostat cover is off inspect the thermostat. If it looks worse for wear - then replace. It's only a £20+ part. You may need to lightly scrape any salt deposits from the housing before reassembly. Check the condition of the gasket - ideally you should replace it as a matter of course. Don't over-torque the bolts.
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Old 03 December 2008, 06:36   #10
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Suzuki DT55 - Poor TellTail Flow ... Number 2!!!

Thankyou all for the valuable information on this common Suzuki problem... My DT55 ..same vintage as you describe has just had an impeller change to rectify this problem ..... In addition the leg was difficult to get off ...bolts were seized....

I got the boat back and after an hour down the channel..... the flow stopped again... AFter a flow like a fire hose for an hour... she stopped flowing at the tell tail.....

My mechanic claims he checked the thermostat..... I wish he changed it....

Anyway ... I would appreciate if any of you gents have a workshop manual page which describes the flow of an outboard cooling system .... Similar to a Suzuki is Suppose ....
Could you perhaps scan it and send it to me...

I would like to understand the flow so I can trouble shoot it myself...

Rgds

Pete
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Old 03 December 2008, 11:52   #11
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Pete

Hi.

I think I have a full Suzuki workshop manual for a DT40 at home which may have a flow diagram.

When I get home tonight I'll have a look.

If so I can scan it at work tomorrow and email it to you.

Nasher
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