Suzuki 2 stroke 225

[fishingjoey]

I have been running a 2stroke suzuki 225 for two seasons and have done very little maintenance on it. I changed the plugs once and thats about it. The engine I would estimate has about 500 hours on it and it looks like it's brand new. I hve no experience maintaining an engine like this and was wondering what some of you seasoned vets would do to prevent any mishaps with this engine? I run the boat at cruise most of the time offshore to stellwagen and back about ten to fifteen times a season. Then usually troll for a few hours at a time.

[Capt Chuck]

FishingJoey, Here are some tips for you

1.) Replace the Waterpump (every 3 years)
2.) Lower Unit Service (pressure test) & Fluid Change
3.) Use a Decarb / Tuner for the Carbs
4.) Replace Thermostats
5.) Grease Prop Shaft
6.) Clean the Oil Reservoir (some have filters)
7.) Replace all Engine Filters and Water Separator Filters every 50 hrs epecially if your using fuel with E10!
8.) Replace & Lube the "O Ring" on your Fuel Fill Cap (This is the best place for water intrusion into the fuel....

[Fr. Frank]

Capt. Chuck offers a good list here.

I suggest amending the list slightly.

• Change the water pump impeller annually or every 100 hours, whichever comes first. Put in a complete water pump kit including gaskets and impeller housing every 3 years. Also if the boat sits for 3 months without being started, change the impeller.
• Lower Unit Service (pressure test) & Fluid Change annually or every 100 hours
• Use a Decarb / Tuner for the Carbs annually
• Replace Thermostats triennially
• Grease Prop Shaft annually
• Clean the Oil Reservoir (some have filters) triennially
• Replace all Engine Filters and Water Separator Filters every 50 hrs especially if your using fuel with E10! every 50 hours or 3 months for the water separator, whichever comes first
• Replace & Lube the "O Ring" on your Fuel Fill Cap annually (This is the best place for water intrusion into the fuel....)

[fishingjoey]

Thanks alot guys for the advise. Since then I have changed both the water separator and fuel filter, greases the shafts and began to change the water pump. I hit a bump in the road when I broke one of the mounting bolts of the housing. So I have to finish monday since I had to get an extractor and drill out the bolt. Now I need to get another metric bolt. As you probably know you cant just get those at the drop of a hat. But I'll be up and running soon. I have a couple more questions, the first is, where are the thermostats located? Secondly how do I decarb the carborator? The advise is much appreciated, i'm really green when it comes to this stuff but I'm having alot of fun learning it.

[Fr. Frank]

For the bolt, after extracting the broken-off piece, take it and the head and go to any Japanese outboard dealer, and ask a mechanic to look in their "junk box" for a used bolt of the same size. Most of 'em will give it to you for free.

For the carburetors, I do a "poor man's carb cleaning". I remove and disassemble the major components, and then soak jets in Quicksilver PowerTune. I also spray out the fuel and air passages with the same product. I replace the float needle (and seat if appropriate), and the blow out the small air passages with starting fluid (ether).

I then reassemble the carbs, re-install them, and start the motor with the cover off and air horn off, with the boat in the water (or in a barrel/tank, but NOT on the hose, you need the backpressure)

While running the motor, and tied securely to the dock, I put the motor in gear and increase the rpms to about 1500 - 2000 rpms. While running in gear, I spray PowerTune down the throat of each carb until the motor bogs considerably, but not enough to stall the motor completely. I will use a complete can of PowerTune through this process. The motor will smoke - A LOT!!.

After this I will take the boat out and run it at WFO for 8-10 minutes. Voila, you're done. BTW, don't do this last if you're over-propped. My last carbed motor was a big-block 150 Merc, (XR6 block 2.5 liter instead of standard 150 2.0 liter) and had a listed max RPM of 5500 - 5950 rpms, and was propped so I could run it at 6100 WFO trimmed out, and I did, frequently

If you're not comfortable taking the carbs apart without a carb kit, then by all means get the kit before you start.

[joey]

I had one of those engines for a while and really loved it.Take care of it and it should last you awhile.

[BillPutney]

Fr. Frank I need some clarification.Does WFO stand for what I think it does . Wide F--king Open , if so you are too cool and I need to take the sacriments at your Church.On another note I have not serviced my 225 Suzi 2-stroke at anywhere near the schedule that you recommend. It has never failed to start and has never left me stranded. I know many commercial fishermen who have run their engines a lot longer than mine and in much harsher conditions than mine and have not serviced there engines as much as mine . I do not intend to discount your years of wisdom by any stretch of the imagination . From my point of view these engines seem to be bulletproof.

[Fr. Frank]

I agree they're great engines. Yes, WFO means Wide Freaking Open

My service reccomendations are from years in Marina Management, and managing marina service departments. I also believe that the worst abuse you can give an outboard motor is not running it.

I have run a '75 25' Mako' commercial lobster boat with twin '76 Chrysler 105's over 60 hours a week for 7 months with never a hiccup.

I have run twin '82 Johnson 70's on a '79 19' Robalo towboat
which consistantly began to lose water pressure on both motors after just 50-60 hours of use on a new impeller, even with aftermarket impellers.

I have owned a large number of Mercury outboards over the past 40 years, and their service life seemed to be 10-12 months until the past decade or so. Nonetheless, I change my impellers and oil faithfully.

I have never had a waterpump failure but once, and that was a spun hub on a an impeller on a week-old '83 235 Evinrude.

Moral of the story: It's like doing regular maintenance on your car.

[BillPutney]

I think sacriments should have been sacrements , my apologies . I do know one thing , my Tarheels are winning right now and I wish I was in the Keys with the guys and girls , I am super jealous .

[McGillicuddy]

I have owned a large number of Mercury outboards over the past 40 years, and their service life seemed to be 10-12 months until the past decade or so. Nonetheless, I change my impellers and oil faithfully.

You mean service annually?