Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

[Pedronicus]

Hi, I have a 2003 model Suzuki DF115 4-stroke outboard on my RIB which I bought in Jan this year. A couple of weeks ago I thought it best to check the engine oil level (been bought up on 2-strokes so this bit was new to me ). The level on the dipstick was way above the Max. mark so I bought a vacuum oil remover and took out 2 litres to get the level down to this mark. We were out on the boat last weekend and when we got back I checked the oil level again only to find that it was above the Max mark on the stick. There is no water in the oil or mush under the filler cap and the oil does not smell of gas. The engine capacity is 5.5 litres. The boat was on it's trailer in the same position in the yard and the engine was down both times of checking the level. Any ideas as to what may be causing this or should I just drain out the existing oil and put in 5.5 litres thereby knowing I've got the right amount of oil in the engine.

 

[clanton]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

Its important to have the engine in the same position each time, a level on the engine some place, and use this same spot each time for the level. I have not seen this problem yet, We had 2 engines that were suppose to be using oil, but 3 different people checking the oil, while boat in water, each time the engine was in a different position. When the same person checks the oil with the engine in the same position, the level is ok. If it realy is over full and it is fuel, the crank bearings will not last long.

 

[JB]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

Hmmm. <br /><br />Sounds like the problem that a lot of Yammy and Merc 4 strokes have had during and just after break in. Haven't heard of it in a Suzi, though.<br /><br />Unless it is a leveling problem as Clanton suggests, you are getting gas into the oil sump. <br /><br />In the Yammys this was diagnosed as incompletely seated rings and not getting up to operating temp and continuing to run rich (cold enrichment). Yammy's solution: replace the thermostat, run the engine hard to get the rings well seated.<br /><br />Whatever you do, change that diluted oil right away.<br /><br />I assume that your engine is in warranty, so take it to your dealer with this info. Messing with it yourself might interfere with warranty coverage.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Semloh]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

Was it way over full the second time or just a bit?<br /><br />You may be ok if it was just a bit and it does not continue to rise during use.

 

[Pedronicus]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

The distance between the Hi & Lo marks on the dipstick is about 1.1/4". The first time the level was about 2" above the Hi mark and the second time the level was about 1" above the Hi mark. This was after a run of 45 nm. The first time was, I'm afraid to admit it, the first time that I had checked the oil since buying the rig (see comment about 2-strokes). There was no smell of fuel in the 2 litres of oil that I took out of the engine - I would have thought that 2L of fuel in 5.5L of oil would have been noticed.<br /><br />As I said, during both times of checking, the boat was in the same position, the engine was down and I did the checking.<br /><br />I think that my best bet is to drain the oil and put in 5.5L of new oil then monitor the situation.<br /><br />I have been told that the fuel pump diaphagm may be faulty but am not sure if the pump is intergral or bolted onto the o/s of the lump. If integral, then I can understand this but if external, how come?

 

[fridays]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

Listen to JB. Hotter thermostat and run it hard after you change the oil! ! Rings probably aren't seated..I've seen it a few times on the Suzuki's.

 

[clanton]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

The low pressure pump is located on the valve cover, if the diaphram leaks, it leaks fuel inside the engine. The vapor seperator on some of these engines is vented into the valve cover, if the float sticks it will dump fuel inside the valve cover. If engine is in warranty, have dealer do cylinder leakdown test. The ring seating, cylinder glazing problem will show up on the leakdown. These problems go back to the 70s with Suz and Kawasaki 4 cylinder 4 stroke engines. Sometimes you had to remove the cylinders and hone them clean, rering and restart the breakin

 

[TUCKER1]

Re: Oil Level in Suzuki DF115

I have a 2002 115 4 stroke EFI Mecury (It has alot of Yamaha parts i.e. power head) I have also have a problem with water in my engine oil. Mercury has put a high temp thermostat and a new set of plugs along with a new ECU. It came up to about $1500 it is still under warrenty. I have been told by Mercury that up to a cup full of water in the crankcase is within acceptable parameters. I am currently seeking legal representation. I belive there is a design flaw in the power head on all Merc's and Yama's Power heads 115 4 stroke models. They refuse to replace my motor. I will have my day in court and then see what they will do !!!!! P.S. I first noticed the dipstick oil was rising just like yours then when I cracked the drain plug about 6 oz of milky oil came out ...