Suzuki Outboard Drain Plugs & Gaskets

Suzuki Outboard Drain Plugs & Gaskets FAQ

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 you perform a Suzuki outboard motor oil change?

Performing needed maintenance in a timely manner on your Suzuki outboard is the key to its overall longevity and reliability. The procedure isn’t complicated but can get messy if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

1. Loosen your oil filter to help vent the system.
2. Remove your dipstick, insert your oil pump, and once your oil pump is inserted into the dipstick tube, pull the oil out into your oil capture container.
3. Remove the old oil filter the rest of the way.
4. Prep the new filter for installation by applying a light film of oil onto the face seal of the Suzuki oil filter.
5. Thread the oil filter onto the oil filter mount and hand tighten.
6. Remove your Suzuki’s fill cap and insert your funnel to prepare to add the new oil.
7. Fill the engine with the recommended oil with the proper quantity of oil.
8. It’s a good idea to run the engine with the proper water supply to check for any leaks and make sure that the proper oil level is maintained.
9. For more detailed information regarding these maintenance steps and to verify any details that may pertain to your specific engine model, please refer to your Suzuki Suzuki owner’s manual.

To avoid a big mess, use one of our Suzuki outboard oil change kits to perform a quick and easy Suzuki outboard oil change.

Is winterizing my Suzuki outboard engine important?

Properly winterizing your Suzuki outboard engine is the best way to prevent damage during the offseason from both lack of use and cold winter temperatures — depending on where you live. It also helps you with a smooth start to the beginning of next season.

There are six basic steps to a proper winterization of your Suzuki outboard engine:

1. Thoroughly flush your engine with fresh water
2. Stabilize the entire fuel system
3. Fog your engine
4. Change the spark plugs
5. Change the lower unit oil
6. Disconnect your lead acid batteries
7. Cover your engine with a fitted Suzuki outboard cover

With your engine properly winterized, there shouldn’t be any harmful debris or materials in the engine components that can cause damage over the off-season months. Plus, with new spark plugs, oil, and fluids, your Suzuki outboard should start up right away when boating season starts in the spring or Summer.

For a more in-depth look at how to winterize your Suzuki outboard engine, take a look at “How To Winterize a 4-Stroke Suzuki Outboard Motor” from the PartsVu Xchange. And of course, you can find all the winterization products you need at PartsVu.com to simplify the process.

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:

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”. 

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.

Will doing maintenance void my Suzuki outboard engine warranty?

Any warranty work done on your engine needs to be done by an authorized Suzuki dealer. Your dealer will perform the work on your engine and file the claim with Suzuki for you.

Your warranty does not apply to damage or failures caused by use of an accessory or part not manufactured or sold by Suzuki. See the appropriate Suzuki warranty policy for your product in your Suzuki Owners manual. In other words, if you modify your engine with non-Suzuki parts and those parts cause damage, you will likely have a problem.

Fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol are considered acceptable for use in Suzuki engines. Fuels containing higher levels of ethanol are not considered acceptable for use, and can void the warranty.

Using the serial number of your engine, your local authorized Suzuki dealer can quickly check your warranty coverage. They can verify that your engine is registered with Suzuki, whether it is covered by Suzuki’s standard factory warranty, if there is any additional promotional coverage, or if it is covered by a Suzuki Product Protection plan.

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