My Motor is Trying to Tell me Something...

[MarshMarlowe196]

I have a 2008 Suzuki DF140 that I've had for well.. a little over 2 years now.  I got it in November of 08'.  It came bone dry- I had to fill it up with oil before I started it for the first time.  That covered me for the first year.  I then changed the oil in early 2010.  It's about time for another oil change now.  It came with the basic gauges.

When I turn the key on, the tach needle goes to "1200", holds there for about 2 seconds, then drops to zero.  I know its doing this to either tell me how many hours are on the engine, or to remind me of an oil change, or both.  I have the owners manual somewhere, but I was hoping someone here could fill me in (I'd really rather avoid posting on THT if I can).

Also, once an oil change is performed, is there a switch I need to flip, like on newer cars?  

Thanks Guys  

[MarshMarlowe196]

Ok... I figured out how to turn off the oil change reminder system by reading the service manual provided to me by SeaBob, but I can't figure out why the tach is going to 1200, because according to the manual, 1200 means nothing.  

[seabob4]

Jesse,
I'm guessing that the tach is what we call "initializing", then resetting itself back to 0 RPM.  Are your system check lights at the bottom of the tach operating as they should?  Is the motor running fine, the proper RPMs per the tach, no warning lights, etc., when under way?  If all is well in this respect, it sounds like something of a curiosity, but not something of concern.


I'll cut and paste your issue to my Suzuki buddy, see what he has to say...

[MarshMarlowe196]

Thanks SeaBob- no indicator lights at all while underway, they all turn on with the key momentarily, then turn off, motor runs perfect.  What's strange is that I've never gotten one oil change reminder alarm, and the manual states to change the oil after the first 20 hours (I'm sure I have at least 20hrs on the motor, but maybe less than 100).  Thanks for your help.

[fitz73222]

Most newer engines like yours can have the ECU scanned by a dealer and have the elapsed run time, average RPM's, max RPM's, basically the whole history of the engine. Once you get the engine hours from the scan, install an hour meter. Just take the new hour meter and hook it up to a 12V battery for the same amount of time that the engine has on it then install it and start documenting maintenance.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Most newer engines like yours can have the ECU scanned by a dealer and have the elapsed run time, average RPM's, max RPM's, basically the whole history of the engine. Once you get the engine hours from the scan, install an hour meter. Just take the new hour meter and hook it up to a 12V battery for the same amount of time that the engine has on it then install it and start documenting maintenance.

Good idea.  I do have the maintenance documented, but only dates.  I'm still wondering why my oil change reminder system isn't doing its thing.  I remember now that last time I changed the oil, I reset the system so if I did get a reminder, it would be accurate.  I'm guessing that I haven't put 100hrs on the engine between changes.  You're right- the best way to know for sure is to take it to the dealer, then hook up the hour meter.  Thanks Fitz

[myaqua225]

Some times 4 strokes have an autochoke system that revs the engine for a minute or so to help build oil pressure and warm it up. Then returns to normal idle speed. If this is what is happening it may just be normal startup. Definately worth getting a readout from the ecu though. I didn't once with a mysterious overheat and it cost me $2K for a new ecu that had a cooling hose blocked. Would have only cost $150 to replace the hose. :colors:

[MarshMarlowe196]

Some times 4 strokes have an autochoke system that revs the engine for a minute or so to help build oil pressure and warm it up. Then returns to normal idle speed. If this is what is happening it may just be normal startup. Definately worth getting a readout from the ecu though. I didn't once with a mysterious overheat and it cost me $2K for a new ecu that had a cooling hose blocked. Would have only cost $150 to replace the hose. :colors:

This RPM reading I'm getting is before I actually  start the motor.  This happens when I simply turn the key to "on".  I'd like to get a readout anyway- I've never owned a modern engine that could tell me it's history - it would be neat to know if anything else.

[snookhooker1460]

When you turn the key to [On] the needle on the tach will jump up to the hour reading. It does this in 50hr increment's

ex;

0h-49h = 0
50h = 500rpm
60h = 600rpm
etc,etc
540h = 5400rpm

550h = 500rpm + rev-limit lamp flash 1 time
etc,etc

1050h = 500rpm + " " " " 2 time's

your reading 1200 thats 120 hrs