Issues with 2018 Suzuki DF6A outboard

Welp, my outboard crapped out on me this past weekend at HMB. I'm the original owner of this POS outboard, still on warranty, so nothing out of my wallet, but 3 services for the past 2 years?!? First service was an issue with the compression in July of 2019, they had to replace with new cyclinder and head. 2nd issue was impeller, less than a month after I got the outboard back. This last issue, looks like oil was leaking from the oil compressor before it is injected into the top gearing.

Did I get a lemon?!? To add insult to injury, this outboard always seems to dislike salmon season, as it finds ways to crap out during peak salmon season. I mean, seriously, WTF? To top it all off, the local authorized Suzuki repair shop has a backlog of 1.5 months! That means I'm out of an outboard until October!!

I shoulda followed the recommendation from the dudes at the Capitola boat rentals and saved some $/headaches/heartaches with a Tohatsu.....

Sorry for the rant. I purposely bought this thing for salmon....and now I don't trust it anymore! 2+ miles offshore is no place to not have faith in your outboard.

Yes, I know. I'm speaking about my outboard the way I would talk about marriage commitment....

I need therapy. Or a good mechanic.

I could tell you a really long story about my experience with an errant outboard but I'll try and shorten it up. A long time ago we had a boat, several times the motor went erratic and we were just barely able to get home, the last time was from under the golden gate. This motor had been worked on several times and each time the mechanic (respected) thought he had it. Then it would do it again. Finally he said he felt bad and would we let him keep it till he was able to definitively fix it. He ran it for countless hours till he actually did find a chance in a million issue in the ignition. He told us he basically started changing out ignition components till BOOM, the problem disappeared, gave us the boat back free of charge and it ran perfectly every time we used it.

Short answer, we never trusted it again eventho it ran perfectly everytime we used it. And if that's true for you, get rid of it.

Oops, almost forgot the PS. we sold it cheap to a distant relative who knew the whole story, he ran the shit out of it for several years and never had, not even one, issue with the motor.

Short answer, we never trusted it again eventho it ran perfectly everytime we used it. And if that's true for you, get rid of it.

Oops, almost forgot the PS. we sold it cheap to a distant relative who knew the whole story, he ran the shit out of it for several years and never had, not even one, issue with the motor.

I am laughing and crying inside at the same time. Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one cursed with the outboard from hell. Seriously thinking about getting a trolling motor for backup.

Your story and mine are a good example of how trust is a fragile thing. 

Suzuki Outboards are notoriously expensive to repair as well.  3 services in a 2 years for a new outboard is pretty normal. Normally a 10 hours, 20/40 hours, and 100 hour service are all in the first year (shouldnt need more than oil, lube, filters, and plugs though).  I would look at honda's BF5 as they are small motor experts. I also run a honda BF5 as my kicker on my arima and have had their BF9.9 as well as a BF90. I love my Honda outboards. More so than my Mercury

Really wish Yamaha 2-strokes could somehow meet US/EU emissions standards....that would be awesome. Engineering-wise, I know that's an impossibility. I've traveled all over Asia and Mexico, and I see them EVERYWHERE. Talk about reliable! They're the Toyota Hilux/Tacoma of outboards...

I'd sell it for whatever you can get for it. Being unreliable on the water just cuts down on the limited fishing opportunities.

I have a Honda 2.3 that hasn't been started for a year, but I know that if I pull on it, wait for 5-10 minutes, it will start even if stabil hasn't been used. I also have a Nissan 6HP (same as tohatsu) that wouldn't start on the first pull even if it was used regularly, but give it a minute or two, it would fire up and keep going. The yamaha 8HP is a little more reliable and might start on the 3-5 pull.

suzuki 2.5 hp is a workhorse...I know someone who dunk it into the salt and its still running awesome...well after doing some maintenance to it lol

If you go off shore, just make sure you know how to diagnose the motor on the water. The suzuki is easy to maintenance. I carry all necessary tools just in case I need to replace spark plugs or pull cord work.

Not sure on the DF6A...but if its been giving you that much issue then you probably got a lemon.

With the oil issue...was it leaking when the motor is running? when you say it crapped out...were you going and then suddenly stopped or it didn't fire up again. Need fuel and spark to run the motor. Have you checked your spark plugs or replaced them recently? For me I usually replace my spark plugs every 4th trip. Its a cheap insurance since its only 4 bucks.

Hi Crazyfisher,

Crapped out meaning it wouldn't even start. The spark plugs were new this season, but it was probably my 8th trip out. I did check the spark plug, didn't see any corrosion on it, and seemed to work fine. I think replacing spark plugs every 4 trips is overkill, but if it works for you, maybe I'll try it to.

The oil was leaking every time I pulled on the starter cord, out of the oil compressor. The nuts all seemed to be tight, but I didn't open it up and check the gasket, since it was under warranty.

If you are sure the spark is fine then it could be a fuel related issue. Check to see if fuel is getting to your carburetor bowl. Did the motor stopped on you on the water? or it didn't start when you first got there?

If I were you, I would learn how to work on the motor and diagnose it. I had to do it just for peace of mind since I typically go 20-40 miles each time I go out. Just like maintaining a car...perform the maintenance on it. I have over 600 hrs on the motor since I got it last year lol Yesterday I took the carburetor out and cleaned it. I didn't have too since its been running great but just for peace of mind. Just like the spark plugs, its overkill but its a safe insurance since I'm on the water the whole day and put a lot of miles on it. I also changed the oil after 4-5 trips. 

Putting the carburetor back in, I tried to start it but it didn't fire after a few minutes so I checked the spark and it was good. Then I checked fuel by opening the screw on the bottom of the carburetor and no fuel was coming out so that made me think that fuel isn't getting to the carb. Re-check the fuel line and valve from the fuel tank and sure enough it was kinked a bit. Readjust the hose and double check that fuel was going to the carb. It was since it was dripping out of the bottom of the carb. Close it back up and pull the cord and fired up immediately.

I'm sure the 6 hp is different but this concept is fundamental in all engine. However if you have a lemon then you have a lemon and can't make lemonade lol so try and get them to replace the motor

At any rate, good luck and hope you get it resolve. Another tip is if you aren't using the motor for an extended period of time, empty the fuel out of the carb. That way it doesn't gum up the carburetor. 

by the way...do you have a peddle or paddle? My backup if the motor quits on me off-shore is my mirage drive, it get me back to shore. Also if you venture out far, make sure you have all the safety equipment. I carry a plb (personal locator beacon) as well as two handheld.

Thanks Crazyfisher, for the suggestions. I'm not very mechanically inclined (electrical engineer by trade), but I do know the basics of combustion engines. Changing the oil and gear lubricant is not a problem, but when the motor is failing less than 2 years old, I have a problem.

I have an ocean kayak, but nowadays I primarily use my portabote with my kids. I always have the safety gear, VHF, and vessel assist.

ahem may I suggest

ahem may I suggest

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