I'm looking for a new outboard for our dingy. Found some good prices on Suzuki 4HP 15". Wondering if anyone has any input, good, or bad, on the make/ size
Suzuki outboards
- Thread starter Rick Templeton
- Start date
I have heard a couple of good comments about the Lehr propane powered engines, and the thought of getting away from gasoline and its inherent issues with stability and ethanol seems attractive. Propane is supposedly also less costly, and I'd think you can refill all over the place, given the use of propane for stoves.
I had a 2006 6 hp Suzuki
I had one. A 2006 6hp. Worked great except that ethanol played hell on the carb. Used an external tank and discovered that ethanol dissolves the rubber in the fuel line and sends the gunk into the carb and clogs it. Also, ethanol attracts water so if you do not run the carb dry you will get rust on the few steel components in the carb. Solution: put a filter on the fuel line just before in enters the tank and replace all of the fuel line on the engine with ethanol resistance fuel line and always run the carb dry at the end of the day. I would assume that engine makers are already accounting for this issue by now but I do not know.
I had one. A 2006 6hp. Worked great except that ethanol played hell on the carb. Used an external tank and discovered that ethanol dissolves the rubber in the fuel line and sends the gunk into the carb and clogs it. Also, ethanol attracts water so if you do not run the carb dry you will get rust on the few steel components in the carb. Solution: put a filter on the fuel line just before in enters the tank and replace all of the fuel line on the engine with ethanol resistance fuel line and always run the carb dry at the end of the day. I would assume that engine makers are already accounting for this issue by now but I do not know.
www.pure-gas.org is a nice little spot to find ethanol-free stations to help combat that sort of thing 
Problem with natural gas and propane, when you pull up to refuel, not many places that sell that.
Suzuki
I picked up a 4HP 2 stroke Suzuki really cheap and it's been running OK
after taking the carb off but than after a week or 2 it started not running
so good and so off came the carb and cleaned again and now running good again.
I buy ethanol free gas but still need to clean carb on my 8hp yamaha 2 stroke also.
I am wondering if any one with the 4hp 2 stroke suzuki with a flush kit and garden hose,flushing or running in a bucket is a pain.
nick
I picked up a 4HP 2 stroke Suzuki really cheap and it's been running OK
after taking the carb off but than after a week or 2 it started not running
so good and so off came the carb and cleaned again and now running good again.
I buy ethanol free gas but still need to clean carb on my 8hp yamaha 2 stroke also.
I am wondering if any one with the 4hp 2 stroke suzuki with a flush kit and garden hose,flushing or running in a bucket is a pain.
nick
Assuming no responsibility for this. I raced off road motorcycles for many years and was also a well respected tuner/mechanic. One of the tricks we used for increasing performance was to add Acetone to our gas. Acetone also cleans as it goes through the carb. We used 1 ounce per gallon and put it in just before rolling on the track as it evaporates quickly. We made it to the Flat Track Nationals using it!
It should work for outboards as well. Chief
It should work for outboards as well. Chief
Last edited:
Using AvGas (100LL) in anything other than an aircraft is a federal offense. AvGas has lead in it, and is breaking the law to run the fuel in anything that doesn't fly.
Filling anything other than an aircraft at an airport, can raise a big red flag to the FBO that you're breaking the law, and you will be asked to leave and not come back (probably not taking the fuel with you).
Unleaded aviation fuel does exist, but is very rare.
Just friendly advise, from a fellow boater and aviator.
James L.
Thanks for the input. I decided to go with a 6 hp Tohatsu. It has a five year warranty . From the discussions I've decided it's not necessarily the Make/model that's as important as how you care for the thing mechanically. Run them dry, and use fresh fuel! By the way, be careful, to much acetone can raise burn temperature to a level wich could damage your motor.
Thanks again for your input.
Thanks again for your input.
Rick: notice I said only one ounce of Acetone. Did you get the Tohatsu online from the outfit I suggested to check on? They have great prices! I have the Tohatsu 9.8, electric start, 25" shaft on my boat. Quiet and powerful motor! Chief
Yes I did, thanks Chief. Wound up with the 6 hp 15inch with internal tank. Came with 3 year uc warranty and additional 2 year pro rated. Thanks for your help,
Rick
Rick
You are most welcome! It is pleasing to get to help a little. Have fun as that will be a great motor! Chief
Rick: just went online and checked out your new motor. 58lbs, integral tank,123cc, and 1300 bucks! That sounds like a perfect size to be a safe, strong motor for a Dingy. A sailor needs decent power reserve in case of an emergency situation he must overcome.
I want a new one but can't justify it as I have one of those great running 15hp Evinrude 2 strokes. 75lbs, electric start, 2 cyl, and ungodly powerful. It planes us at 22 mph! I don't take it up that speed much though.
Your on my coast; might see you one day. Chief
I want a new one but can't justify it as I have one of those great running 15hp Evinrude 2 strokes. 75lbs, electric start, 2 cyl, and ungodly powerful. It planes us at 22 mph! I don't take it up that speed much though.
Your on my coast; might see you one day. Chief
There are places that will still sell gas without ethanol but expect to pay more for it but would suggest that you ask around. I know they are few but better if you are concerned.
If you have to purchase ethanol, make sure you purchase stabilizer to be designed to combat the ethanol but the best prevention is to let the engine run out of gas everytime no matter what and every two months or less, empty that gas tank. they now make hoses that are not affected by ethanol and if you have an older motor I would suggest replacing those hoses. I remember the first new engine using ethanol I had difficulty running for the customer whom both of us learned very quickly about ethanol.
Chief, you are probably correct using acetone in gas at a low amount but then there are the nuckleheads who would overuse it by adding too much and on a regular basis and that alone would hurt the engines as I have seen it in my maintenance shops for a couple engines being repaired when questions were asked. I do not suggest that for that reason alone.
As for AVGAS, you can forget about that because if you are caught using it, not only the fines are enourmous but anticipate spending time in the federal motel with a felony charge which will adversely affect your life as it is on record. I knew of one fellow doing that and was caught
If you have to purchase ethanol, make sure you purchase stabilizer to be designed to combat the ethanol but the best prevention is to let the engine run out of gas everytime no matter what and every two months or less, empty that gas tank. they now make hoses that are not affected by ethanol and if you have an older motor I would suggest replacing those hoses. I remember the first new engine using ethanol I had difficulty running for the customer whom both of us learned very quickly about ethanol.
Chief, you are probably correct using acetone in gas at a low amount but then there are the nuckleheads who would overuse it by adding too much and on a regular basis and that alone would hurt the engines as I have seen it in my maintenance shops for a couple engines being repaired when questions were asked. I do not suggest that for that reason alone.
As for AVGAS, you can forget about that because if you are caught using it, not only the fines are enourmous but anticipate spending time in the federal motel with a felony charge which will adversely affect your life as it is on record. I knew of one fellow doing that and was caught
Yes Dave, I agree that it should be used with reserve. Thats why I was hesitant as to whether I wanted to post it. I think no carb cleaners on the market cleans like it does though.
Chief
Chief
