Suzuki outboards.

[saltfly]

Ok I’ve got to ask. I see a lot of Suzuki’s being mounted. How are they holding up? I’ve never been one to go with anything that wasn’t built here. But how are they?

[GoneFission]

Folks I know that have them seem to like them a lot.  Quiet and dependable.  The only downside seems to be parts availability if something does go wrong...

[gran398]

The Suzuki 115's and 140's run strong, seem bulletproof.

[John Jones]

good motors.  Ten years ago parts and a knowledgeable Zuke mechanic were issues.  No big deal now.

[Group W Bench]

Warranty claims have been, and continue to be and perennial issue.

[Capt Matt]

My fellow guide buddies love them until they go wrong, getting parts and finding someone to do the warranty work can be tough to say the least. Friend on Captiva that guides was down for more than 2 months waiting on a part, luckily he borrowed a boat to stay in business
Some of them never seem to break though.
If you want lots of options on who will work on your motor buy a merc or yamaha, they have more service centers than anyone.
Capt Matt

[MarshMarlowe196]

Coming from experience of having owned my DF140 since 2008, it's been a great engine. I've never had to use the warranty (knock on wood) that came with my Suzuki, but I've still got about a year and a half of warranty, so maybe I'll get the chance to, though I doubt it. I recently lost a little plastic insert that controls the direction of the water pump indicator stream. This was my fault because I loosened it too much. I ordered the new piece for less than $10, and it will be here before Thursday. So far, this is the only part I've needed. It gets great fuel economy, seems to be quieter than all the other new outboards on the market (I've ran them all), and has been very reliable for me.

Now, I don't use the outboard like a guide would, I probably put less than 100hrs a year on it. I did follow the break in period, and have kept up with maintenance intervals. I have heard some horror stories out there about warranty issues and parts availability, but this problem is not typical.

[saltfly]

That’s the problem. We don’t have a dealer, that I trust in my area. All the good dealerships, that have good reps. Are either Marc, Evin or Yama. I can get parts on line and since I do all my own work. The warranty isn't that important to me. I would use it while it is in effect but not after it expired. Thanks for the imput.

[seagate]

I have a Johnson 2002 4 stroke 140(suzuki motor made for johnson)Its the best thing I have done with this boat runs great gas mileage great no problems(thank god).If I need parts I go on line order part.I don't have a warranty so I can't say anything about that.We do have shops that I can get parts or help here if I need it.

[saltfly]

I knew the Johnson 4 strokes were Suzuki’s and looked around for a used one. I wanted to take it apart to learn more about them. I was wondering if Suzuki parts were interchangeable with the Johnson. Have you ever tried to use Suzuki parts? The one dealer I trust that is really close to me, sold Johnsons. I’ll have to ask the one owner I know if he carries parts. I get all my other Johnson parts from him and he is a really good mechanic in his own right.

[seagate]

The place I get most of my parts used to sell johnson/rud parts but changed to yamaha but still gets johnson parts for us.When you buy from Johnson it is repackaged johnson but it is a Suzuki part.

[Capt Matt]

Seems all the motors that are cross breeds  ie: Mercury 4 strokes made by yamaha and Johnson/evenrude 4 strokes made by suzuki can be even tougher to find parts for as they only made them for a few years. Its not impossible to find the parts but harder than on a regular motor.
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

Keep in mind guys, Brown's Point Marine up in Jersey is an EXCELLENT source for parts.  Here in Tampa Bay, Richey Boat and Motor up in Port Richey (just N of SR 52) knows Zukes REAL well.  And, on top of that, Jon Ponedel, Zuke's Eastern field engineer, lives in Hudson Beach...and helps me out on occasion...  

[CATmech945]

The only thing that I've heard about Suzuki's warranty is that they actually require documented proof that the scheduled maintenance has been done, and others don't require anything. I know Merc seems to be a "don't ask, don't tell and lets just get it fixed" mentality which works for them, but Suzuki is completely the opposite. They want to know everything which can be a bit of a pain. If you do your own maintenance, then Suzuki requires receipts for proof of purchase for the parts, oil, etc. Suzuki is an excellent engine.......they're all good engines, just pick a color. I can tell you though, if you want to continue buying from a company within the U.S., Mercury Marine is your only option left. I think even Evinrude belongs to the canadians now.

[saltfly]

Evinrude is owned by bombardier, which is Canadian. But their still built in the same American plant, they’ve always been built in. Merc is the only US motor now. The Johnson plant is still building parts for their motors except the 4 stroke.

Bob thanks for the info. Browns point marine isn’t that far from me. I forgot about them. I’ve dealt with them in the past. I want to replace the 175 I have on my 19-6.

 I was going to get a used optmax 135, but the guy decide not to sell it. So i'm still up in the air, about a motor. I may go new, but would like to learn as much about a 4 stroke as I can and their's no better way then to rebuild one. Knowing how they work and having hands on experince in taking one apart and putting it back together. makes a difference.