BigBendFishing.Net

Hi, folks ... long time, no posts. I'm looking for advice on my Suzuki DF115, a 4-stroke that's now 8 years old. Water has gotten into the oil from somewhere for a second time, and the dealer's mechanic can't quite figure out where.

The first time, a cracked bolt and broken wall in the mid-housing (below the powerhead) was the problem. This time, the mechanic says it could be the head gasket or a crack somewhere in the cylinder head. But even if I pay to have the head rebuilt, there are no guarantees it won't happen again.

Pretty soon, I will have put enough money into this motor to pay most of the cost of a new one. I'm wondering if that's the way I should go.

Any experiences or advice? Thanks in advance.

Either way you go, you're gonna eventually have to Break Out Another Thousand. I like the idea of a new motor. You'll spend more money, but when it's over, you'll have a brand new motor (that you should be able to rely on for years to come), and it'll come with a warranty, so at least you can feel safe knowing that it shouldn't cost you any more money for a while, even if you do have more mechanical problems.

Also, it's getting close to Christmas, and everyone deserves a new toy for the holidays don't they?

SilverKing has a great deal on a used motor.
I would not trust a motor has has blown twice and I certainly wouldn't put any more $ into it.

Thanks, y'all. I'm coming around to the idea of a new motor, too. The Suzuki was a great motor for 8 years, and they have a 6-year warranty right now. So that's probably the way I'll go.

The dealer has a DF115, but it has a long shaft (for a 25-inch transom). My transom is 20 inches. The dealer can build up the transom to 25 as part of the deal. But I wonder how well that works. Would that new fiberglass be stable/dependable? Any problems/experiences with a conversion, out there on the forum?

What kind of boat?

If the boat has an open transom it wouldn't be too difficult to add 5" and make it strong as well as look right. If the boat has a cap and splash well it will be more of a job to make it look right.

It's a Palm Beach 181 Whitecap. I'll attach a photo of one just like it with a transom view.

Take the lower unit from the old motor and put it on the new motor.