Most Common Suzuki DF150 Outboard Problems

As a water sports enthusiast, when it comes to an outboard motor, brand matters. From sailing boards to speed boats, it can be used for both private and professional purpose.

Suzuki Marine is a company that manufactures and designs outboard motors, came up with a subsidiary of “Suzuki” – a Japanese multinational motor company. Suzuki Marine has been providing its tremendous services across America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. 

Back in 1965, Suzuki had built their first outboard motor. After that, exclusively targeting the US, Suzuki came up with the “Suzuki Marine” brand to catch up with the market trend. 

A brief introduction of Suzuki DF150 Outboard

The muti-stage evocation of Suzuki  DF150, provides more power with less fuel consumtion. It is compact and lightweight, in-line four-cylinder outboard including a powerhead with 2,867cm³ (174.9 cu.in.) displacement. Its smooth design, comfortable noise level, and overall quality is highly impressive. The selective rotation of the engine and precision control fitted as standard. Besides the powerhead displacement makes incredible torque and acceleration.

Higher torque at the takeoff and lower speed, by time as the airflow increases, the RPM gets boosted. You will experience a pretty much comfortable and agreeable boating life using this model. Since the introduction of DF150 some years ago, now it has been used widely and considered as the standard in all Suzuki outboards.

However, as a mechanical system, it also has some issues and problems encountered upon the feedback of the users. In this article, I’m going to walk through most common problems of Suzuki DF150 and do a complete teardown. Keep scrolling and stay tuned with us.

Most common problems of the Suzuki DF150:

1. Sudden shuts off the motor rev

After using it for a particular period of time, many user stated that the motors revs gets sudden shut off just after almost 2500 RPM(Revolutions Per Minute). And then the only way to keep the motor running is to use the throttle, keep the motor running and REV is back to the idle. Now, it will work fine but after a few more start up, you will face the same frequent shut off. The problem is assumed due to the white ECM wire. A good connection and a good battery connected to the wire may help to get rid of the problem.

The battery terminal can also be checked to make sure it wasn’t put a wing nuts to the battery and a knuckle head. Make sure your all wirings are placed properly, clean and tight. If it is not used for a while, tilt the motors up for some time and put them back in position. Priming the motor by squeezing the bulbs will stop the lack of fuel in the engine and turn the key quickly. But actually, it’s an engine issue which is a rigging problem.

2. Frequent Pumping 

Though the primer bulb doesn’t look too bad from the outside of the shape, yet it needs to pump after very minimal usage. Sometimes, it needs to pump every 5-8 minutes. Almost 450 yards later you may need to pump again. As air circulation is crucial for any fuel system, you’ve to make sure the air getting into the fuel system properly. Sometimes the pick-up tube gets clogged and we miss checking them regularly. But the bulb on the pump would not re-inflate if it is squeezed before. For this, you can troll it for a while and then retry. But this time, the bulb may not re-inflate again. There might be some trash on the tube. You can go through a proper suction and the trash will fall off. Now run it until it picked up again. 

3. Fuel Issues

In the beginning, the motor has 1000 hours approximately on it, mostly considered trolling. The water and fuel separator is comparatively smaller and needs to take care of regularly. If fuel/water is not changed regularly enough, it becomes full of trash and ultimately loses efficiency. To identify fuel issue, you will face no hassle to start the engine. Rather, even in lower mph 3 or 4, the engine works pretty well. As you would throttling up, the engine will become wet and start running horribly faster. If you leave it in the higher throttle, it will be stalled. Even if you go slower to the idle, it will eventually be stalled. Because it cannot produce enough gear to run on. However, changing the fuel filter can be  a solution to this issue. 

4. Unavailability of Parts

The parts availability of Suzuki DF150 is terrible. But there are number of people who would tell you not to think about parts because those are stong enough. I will say, never trust on those perception. As a mechanical system, it can be broken anytime, and when it does make sure there are available parts to repair. As Suzuki has discontinued two stroke motors and DF150 is a four stroke motor, it is seen that more and more people are coming to repair just after using for a certain period of time. And then, you would have nothing to do except throwing it away. 

5. Poor Engineering and Leakage of Oil

The internal mechanism of Suzuki DF150 is totally useless compared to other brands. The bad wire management leads to sudden shut offs. It is also accused of leakage of oil in the transcom area. One of the users shared in a forum that she had faced the issue right after using it for a few months.

General Pros and Cons of the Suzuki DF150:

Pros

Cons

Final Verdict

Suzuki is known as one of the most reputed brands in the world. But it doesn’t mean that you would get top-notch internal and external quality to every product you purchase. Sometimes, brands manufacture products aiming to sell using its reputation not maintaining overall quality and design. You should check the dealer first and know everything regarding ideal usage, proper take care of parts. Also, make sure the parts availability, so when it occurs any damage, you can make necessary changes and follow recommendations from the dealer.

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