Re: Suzuki 1989 55hp Please HELP!!!
Hi Jeff,<br />I had a Suzuki DT65 (1991) until recently and the DT55 is the same outboard except 55 hp (and slightly different carburators).<br />Anyway, it is probably worn out or broken impeller, that is made of rubber and is inside the waterpump. The purpose of the impeller is to pump water inside the cooling channels of the outboard so it is not overheated. The overheat alarm (lamp on the guage + buzzer sound) and rev limit jumping is normal in this case. So the engine will not be damaged by overheat.<br /><br />To replace the impeller with a new, and new gasket and also probably good to mount new rubber sealings in both end of the metal tube between the waterpump and up in the engine ("water tube"), is not that difficult. But You really need a "do it yourself" manual like Clymer or Selco or orginal "Workshop" manual that marine shops use for your Suzuki DT55 and year Your outboard was made.<br />It is wery important to get the waterpump house correctly sealed.<br /><br />If You are new to outboards I suggest you take the boat+outbaord to nearest Suzuki service center and have the impeller replaced, and also a tune up (service) - change gearcase oil, spark plugs etc).<br /><br />Another possible cause (or combination with bad impeller) can be the thermostat is stuck in closed position. To test the thermostat you take the thermostat cover off (3 bolts - be careful so you do not brake any of them if corroded, I did that once...) and then do the "hot water test" on it in a saucepan with water on the stove). The thermostat should open at about 50-55 Celsius degrees (convert to Farenheit...). It is marked on the thermostat the opening temp if you look carefully.<br />Make a sketch how the thermostat is mounted before You take it out so you can mount it back, after test, in the correct position.<br /><br />You probably do not get any water out of the telltale tube now (a small tube that small jet of water will squirt out of) at the back, to the right side (when viewed from behind). There is also the main water outlet in the middle back on the outboard. If there is no water coming out of the telltale tube this is an indication the water is not cirulation (bad impeller) or glogged telltale tube, in both cases it must be fixed.<br /><br />A last, but probably not so likely cause, is a defect water sensor (switch or temp sensor) and therefore the overheat alarm goes on (lamp + buzzer). But since You say the water coming out of the outboard was HOT the alarm was probably correct and not a defect sensor. The water is probably HOT since the most likely is a bad impeller.<br /><br />To spare you time and possibly also money (avoid replacing unnecessary, no defect, parts) it is probably wise to just let a Suzuki service center fix this outboard, and at the same time make a "service" on it also so it will be usable for a season or two before it is time for next service (if you prefer to still use this outboard in the future).<br /><br />On my Suzuki DT65 (1991) when I had it I replaced this over the years: impeller and water tube rubber seals, thermostat, lower unit bearing housing seals, sparkplugs and one propeller (the old got out of balance and I had it as "spare" later).<br />My Suzuki DT65 served me well and the new owner use it now without problem. I use Yamaha F115 4-stroke (2003) now in a new boat (2003 also).<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />/Bo
<br />Got it in the water family in the boat the boat started great again then the probelms started.