Bone Head Mistake

[DaddyO-1]

I have a 2006 15hp Suzuki four stroke and I laid it down on it's side and all of the oil ran out. What a mess! After I did it I noticed the sticker that says "this side up when storing or transporting." Maybe there should be one on the other side that says "this side down when storing or transporting." Now that I have it cleaned up and upright again where should I start? I bought it used and I don't have a manual so I have no clue as to how much oil it holds or what type to use. Could the oil have gotten into some components that will need cleaning or replacing? What are the long term effects, if any. Hopefully it's not ruined.
It's also starting in gear on occasion. Sometimes it shifts very crisply from fwd to neutral to reverse but other times it's hard to tell where you are. This is usually when it starts in gear. We use this boat to pull the little kids water skiing, tubing and knee boarding so I really need to get this fixed asap before someone gets hurt. Thanks for any suggestions that you might have.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Bone Head Mistake

I doubt you hurt anything other than making a big oily mess. Set the motor up in the normal running position, check oil level with the dipstick, add a good 30 wt. detergent motor oil until it shows at least half way up on the dipstick. May be better to store motor in the upright position. You can build a motor rack out of some 2x4's and nails pretty easily, also makes motor a lot easier to work on, run it in a bucket, change the oil, etc. Good Luck!