Suzuki Outboard Drive System

Suzuki Drive System - Resources & Information

Over time and heavy usage, your Suzuki Outboard Drive System may experience wear and tear. A poorly performing drive system, including the lower unit and other moving parts, means that you’ll gradually experience loss of RPMs, erratic steering, uneven wear, and - in extreme cases - a completely unusable boat. 

That’s why it's so crucial to regularly maintain your MerCruiser during every 100 & 300 hour service interval, as well as replace malfunctioning drive system components, including your Suzuki oil pump housing, gears, U-joints, Suzuki water pump housings, and more.

In addition to Suzuki Outboard Drive System Parts, PartsVu is also proud to help boaters by providing helpful resources for Suzuki outboard motors:

• Suzuki Outboard Engine Oil Capacities & Oil Filter Chart
• Suzuki Outboard Engine Gear Lube Capacity Chart
• Suzuki Outboard 100-Hour Service Checklist
• Suzuki Outboard Season Breakout Guide

Suzuki Outboard Drive System 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. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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:

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.

How often should I grease my Suzuki outboard grease points?

You must grease all points at regular service intervals—minimally, annually. Saltwater boaters need to lubricate much more frequently as saltwater breaks down grease, and saltwater on non lubricated surfaces causes a great deal of damage.

Refer to your owner’s manual to locate all the grease fittings on your specific engine. Most will be easy to find, but a couple are likely tucked away and are not quite as visible. While you must familiarize yourself with the grease fittings on your specific engine, common grease fitting points include:

• Steering friction adjustment shaft (tiller handle models) 
• Swivel bracket
• Tilt tube
• Steering cable grease fitting

To add grease, first wipe off the grease fitting before attaching the grease gun nozzle to avoid pumping dirt and debris into the grease point. Also, you may have to remove rust and other debris clogging/blocking grease fittings. 

Pump grease into the fitting until grease begins oozing out of the exit points of the area being greased. The old grease will be pushed out as it is being dislocated by the new grease. Wipe off the old grease with your rag.

When a given grease point is full, leave a bit of grease on top of the grease fitting to keep rust and other debris from accumulating. Wipe off any excess grease with your rag, then move to the next grease fitting.

While not needed for all scenarios, it is worth noting that Suzuki Water-Resistant Grease is formulated for high temperature and high load applications.

Which oils and lubricants should I choose for my Suzuki outboard engine?

The best oils and lubricants to use on your Suzuki outboard engine are genuine Suzuki ECSTAR products. Why? Because they’re specifically formulated to meet the needs of your Suzuki engine!

Marine engines take their fair share of abuse. Between harsh saltwater, serious vibrations, heavy use (up to 6,400 RPMs on some models), and intense UV sunlight, they need to stay well-lubricated if they’re going to function at maximum efficiency.

While you should absolutely use genuine Suzuki lubricants and oils, it’s important to choose the right type of lubricant for your engine model. For example, two-stroke engines require different oils than four-stroke engines.

Check your Suzuki owner’s manual to determine the specific Suzuki oils and lubricants to use for your engine. And be sure to consult PartsVu’s Suzuki Outboard Engine Oil Capacities & Oil Filter Chart to match your filter and how much oil you should add for each oil change. 

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 Mercury 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.