Suzuki corroded water jacket

[Corroded]

I have a Suzuki DF115 which developed an exterior crack in the water jacket. The engine has less than 120hrs. I've taken it 4 out of the last 6 years for maintenance to the dealer where I bought the boat so I was pretty upset and dumbfounded as to how this could happen. I took it to the dealer and they said a freeze was the cause of the crack. I showed photos of the crack to another mechanic and he suspected corrosion. He inspected the engine and found the internal anodes were never cleaned or replaced and that there is much corrosion in the water jacket, and suspected that to be the cause of the crack. I thoroughly flush the engine for 5 to 10 minutes after every trip. My boat is kept on a trailer under my carport. Could there be another reason as to how this corrosion could have occurred, other than not replacing the internal anodes? As a boat owner, is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
Thanks!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Suzuki corroded water jacket

Yip I would agree with the internal anodes .... if those aren't maintained, the next softest metal gets attacked and that is exactly what happened here ....

 

[Toddboat]

Re: Suzuki corroded water jacket

Outboard motors are self-draining, but only when in their down position. The upright position is only for trailering. For storage, whether it's just overnight, or for the winter, the outboard should be down. After flushing the motor, leave it down. Only put it up when you're ready to trailer it somewhere. My friend left his motor in the upright position over the winter and the block cracked... cost him $13,500 to replace, all from something so easily preventable. Ouch! :facepalm:

 

[Corroded]

Re: Suzuki corroded water jacket

Outboard motors are self-draining, but only when in their down position. The upright position is only for trailering. For storage, whether it's just overnight, or for the winter, the outboard should be down. After flushing the motor, leave it down. Only put it up when you're ready to trailer it somewhere. My friend left his motor in the upright position over the winter and the block cracked... cost him $13,500 to replace, all from something so easily preventable. Ouch! :facepalm:

That's good to know. I live in a suburb of New Orleans and the temperature never got below freezing last year. I think my service guy at the dealer knew it was a corrosion issue but wanted to stick me with the problem, since he knows I have limited knowledge of outboard motors. I am hoping they will ultimately take the responsibility of the repair. All the service records show they were checking anodes. It doesn't look like they ever checked the internal anodes, only glanced at the external ones. I wanted to see if anyone thought the anodes looked bad enough to cause this kind of damage.
Thanks

 

[robert graham]

Re: Suzuki corroded water jacket

New Orleans would mean the motor is run in saltwater mostly?....That does look like a lot of corrosion/calcium deposits/etc., but this type of accelerated corrosion is not unheard of in certain motors under certain conditions. I recently put a new water pump, thermostat and pressure control valve in my 1999 Yamaha 90C and there was a surprising amount of corrosion/calcium deposits in various places inside there. Regarding internal anodes, I don't believe that their inspection and/or replacement is anywhere near routine maintenance, mainly because it requires labor for removal of cylinder heads....and the internal anodes very rarely get used up. I doubt Suzuki will give you much help on this but it's worth a try if you raise enough Cain with them over it....call them, write letters, be persistent...who knows what they may give to make you more happy?...good luck!

 

[dclivewire]

Re: Suzuki corroded water jacket

I was looking up info on suzuki motors and stumbled upon this post..Ive learned this is a common problem with these motors. They get alot of corrosion in interior of their motors.There is a poor desighn. Iwas looking into buying an 09 and supposedly thats the year they have corrected the problem.You didnt mention the year motor you have..However supposedly it is not something they cover with warranty...After all I read tonight I guess I wont be getting that 09 to be safe..Here a link to another forum with some info 2002 Suzuki DF140 four strokes Corrosion Problems? - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum..