Suzuki Outboard Trim & Tilt Components FAQ
How do I troubleshoot a Suzuki Outboard Motor?
It’s best to first address the simplest potential problems before getting into more complicated matters. The following quick fixes may address the reason your Suzuki outboard motor stopped working.
- It may sound obvious, but check if there is gas in the tank. If so, is the tank vent open? A closed vent prevents air from replacing fuel as the motor pulls it out, which is necessary for firing up the engine.
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If the kill switch isn’t properly attached it could very well be the source of your motor problems. Undo the electrical connection and put it right back into place. The kill switch may need to be replaced altogether.
- The next point to check is your gear shift. It’s easy to knock out of place, which prevents the engine from starting. Make sure that you’re in neutral and try starting your engine once more.
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Sometimes, the issue may simply be that your Suzuki engine propeller has something tangled around it. This may be a fishing line, excessive seaweed, or some other material that’s worked its way around the blades. Carefully remove anything that may be wrapped around the propeller, and give it a once-over for any damage that may be present. If the propeller is damaged, it needs to be replaced. Debris around the propeller is the most likely culprit if your boat motor starts, but quickly dies.
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Try to start the engine both with and without using the choke. If this doesn’t work, try altering the throttle position. Applying more or less gas can sometimes do the trick. Finally, squeeze the primer bulb a few times to make sure the engine is primed up.
- Some batteries have an on/off switch. If this is true for your battery, make sure the switch is on. Then, if your engine is under 25HP, you may be able to use the emergency cord to pull-start. It’s possible to do this with up to a 50HP engine, but be aware that the higher the HP, the more difficult this will be. If this works, the battery is likely the issue. You may need to replace it.
How do I perform a 100-hour service on my Suzuki outboard engine?
To ensure proper engine function, it’s always best to service your Suzuki outboard engine every 100 hours after the initial break-in period (first 10 hours) and after the first maintenance interval (at 20 hours).
The following is a Suzuki outboard 100-hour service checklist to help you service your engine properly:
| Service Item | Action Needed |
| Grease Fittings | Lubricate |
| Engine Oil | Replace |
| Engine Oil Filter | Replace |
| Anodes | Inspect, replace as needed |
| Battery | Inspect |
| Power Trim and Tilt Fluid | Inspect |
| Connectors and Spray with Silicone Spray | Inspect & spray |
| Shift and Throttle Cable Linkages | Inspect |
| Retorque Bolts, Nuts, and Fasteners | Inspect |
| Engine Mounts and Steering Brackets | Inspect |
| Spark Plugs | Inspect, change as needed |
| Gearcase Oil | Replace |
| Inspect Fuel Lines | Inspect, replace as needed |
| Fuel-Water Separator | Replace |
| Fuel Stabilizer | Add before storing or when filling tank |
| Mounting Bolts | Inspect |
| Propeller and Skeg | Inspect |
| Cowling | Inspect |
| Telltale Hole for Water Flow | Inspect |
If you want a more in-depth explanation of how to perform a 100-hour service on a Suzuki outboard engine, read our blog “Suzuki Outboard 100-Hour Service Checklist”. Also, be sure to refer to your Suzuki Outboard Service Manual for which parts you’ll need, how to perform basic repairs, and other engine specific tasks
To make engine maintenance even easier, PartsVu has a wide selection of Suzuki outboard engine 100-hour service kits available. They’re pre-assembled with everything you need to keep your boat happy and healthy every 100 hours.
What are the signs of faulty Suzuki trim and tilt problems?
Are you having problems with the trim and tilt switch of your Suzuk outboard motor?
Contrasting with the internal engine problems we’ve covered so far, trim and tilt problems are external. Trim and tilt involves how well your boat is propelled through the water by the angle of the propeller shaft relative to the boat. A faulty trim and tilt switch can prevent you from the fine-tuning (trim) and dramatic changes (tilt) needed for optimal performance of your Suzuki outboard engine, including:
- Poor gas efficiency due to friction/drag of the water
- Lower RPMs, acceleration, and overall top speed
- Less accurate control during operation
- Inability to raise the motor for storage, servicing, and/or removal
Luckily, you can avoid these problems by swapping out the trim and tilt switch as needed. However, keep in mind that a faulty trim/tilt switch can be a sign of some other issues, such as low battery, electrical shorts, malfunctioning hydraulic motors, and more.
How do I install a trim tab anode on my Suzuki outboard motor?
Also referred to as trim tab “zincs,” replacing Suzuki trim tab anodes is a relatively simple repair that can be performed in a manner of minutes.
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First, identify where the trim tab anode on your Suzuki outboard is. It is typically located above the propeller on the anti-cavitation plate.
- Next, locate and remove the trim tab plug located directly above the trim tab.
- In the cavity, you will insert a socket wrench with an extension to access the bolt securing the trim tab.
- Make a note of the hash marks by the trim tab, which indicates how many degrees they will be offset. Use a piece of masking tape if you have to remember the location so you won’t have to adjust it after installation.
- Slowly turn the bolt counterclockwise to loosen the trim tab until it loosens.
- Insert the new trim tab anode. Replacement is the opposite of installation.
That’s the entire process for replacing a trim tab on a Suzuki outboard motor. Simple!
How do I service my Suzuki outboard lower unit?
Suzuki lower unit gear lube is drained by removing the lower drain screw first and then the upper plug vent to allow air in. On most models, both plugs are clearly visible on the lower unit, but on models with low water pickups, the forward pickup will need to be removed to access the drain plug.
Have a drain pan and extra rags handy as the gear lube will begin running down the skeg as soon as you remove the upper vent plug. Be sure to collect the fiber gaskets from both plugs after removal, as these are not reusable and should be discarded.
Use a properly sized screwdriver assisted by a wrench if necessary to loosen these screws which should be pretty tight. An impact driver and hammer may be needed depending on who serviced your engine last. The drain screw has a magnetic tip, so inspect the plug after removal to see if heavy deposits exist. Some fine shavings are normal, but chunks or a large quantity of metal are cause for further inspection.
How do I choose the right propeller for my Suzuki outboard motor?
Your Suzuki propeller decision-making process will include the following factors: pitch, diameter, aluminum or steel, blade number, rake, cupping, and rotation.
Pitch is a critically important factor when selecting a new propeller. Pitch is the distance the prop would travel forward after one complete rotation, assuming no resistance or slip.
If you need more speed, a higher pitch is generally the way to go. However, If you use a propeller with a too high pitch, the motor won’t have enough horsepower to turn it adequately, so the revolutions per minute will drop. Referred to as over-propping, it overloads the engine and causes excessive wear. Under-propping—fitting a propeller with too low a diameter or pitch—can damage your engine through over-revving. Under-propping will also adversely affect fuel consumption.
A larger diameter propeller reduces the RPM and top-end speed. On the other hand, smaller diameter propellers increase RPM and top-end speed. However, smaller diameter props slip more frequently and are not good choices if hole-shot or acceleration improvement is your goal.
Aluminum propellers are the most common and the least expensive. Stainless steel propellers are more durable and generally perform better due to both thinner and stiffer blades.
Most commonly, Suzuki marine propellers have either three or four blades. Three-blade propellers are most common on general use recreational boats. With only three blades in the water, they encounter less resistance increasing fuel efficiency, and they generally have minimal impact on your outboard engine’s RPM.
Four-blade propellers improve hole-shot acceleration; therefore, commonly used on ski boats. These props improve handling and are generally better in rough water.
Propeller rake is the angle that the blades slant backward. The higher the rake angle, the more the boat’s bow lifts out of the water. A high rake angle reduces time to plane and increases top-end speed. However, if a rake is too high, the outboard motor will operate under strain and experience premature wear.
A cupped propeller includes a curved lip to the trailing edge of propeller blades. It will get better traction in the water, reducing prop slip and ventilation, and improves hole-shot and acceleration. Cupped props allow the engine to be trimmed so the propeller is closer to the water’s surface and can dramatically reduce RPM.
Rotation is not an issue for most boaters as most outboards rotate the propeller shaft and propeller clockwise. However, a few run counter-clockwise, especially in dual outboard setups in which one motor runs clockwise, and the other runs counter-clockwise for better balance. Make sure your selected prop is designed for the correct rotation.
