Suzuki DT140 Water Level Alarm

[BiteTime]

I bought a 17' Sea Nymph just before Xmas with a 1986 Suzuki DT140. We have used the boat alot over the holidays; fishing, trolling and towing the kids around on various pieces of equipment (it's summer here in New Zealand). I see on this forum that Suzuki gets alot of bad press, but so far I can't fault the motor, starts first time hot or cold and runs smooth and quiet.<br /><br />However, it has a water level sensor (a float switch mounted near the top cylinder) that is not mentioned in the manual (which refers to an over temp and low oil alarm. I checked it was a float switch by removing it.<br /><br />When the motor is started, hot or cold, the alarm sounds for 5-10 seconds if left at idle (It is happy to start and run from cold with choke but no throttle). The prevoius owner, who had the boat since new, says it always did this. Can anyone confirm this is normal behaviour please? He says he replaced the impellor about 5 years ago.<br /><br />Thanks for your help.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Suzuki DT140 Water Level Alarm

Welcome to the forum.<br />It should alarm until it picks up water and oil, when the engine is first started. HOWEVER, I don't know your engine well.<br />I can tell you it should alarm to let you know the alarm werks (as in autos).<br />But the impeller is overdue for replacement. They should be changed out every 2 years,whether they need it or not. As one of my distinguished colleges here put it, "ALL impellers look perfectly fine...Until they fail". <br />And he is right,they do.

 

[suzuki115]

Re: Suzuki DT140 Water Level Alarm

BiteTime, I own a '89 DT115 with this same float switch (DT115 and DT140 are very similar motors). My motor does the exact same thing as yours and according to the previous owner it has always done so. I have tried to get this verified by a "qualified suzuki professional" and have had no luck getting a comfortable answer. Nor does the manual describe this. But so far the motor has run good.

 

[rmack]

Re: Suzuki DT140 Water Level Alarm

Gentlemen, The "float switch" you are referring to is actually called a "flow sensor". Your overheat alarm system does not have a temerature sensor to dedect an overheating condition, but rather has a water flow sensor to detect when water is not flowing through the engine. This will alert you to a possible overheating condition before it actually occurrs. When you start you motor it is normal for you to get the alarm to sound until there is good water flow through the engine. If you don't get the alarm when you first start up, it's time to clean the flow switch. Hope this helps.

 

[BiteTime]

Re: Suzuki DT140 Water Level Alarm

Thanks for the welcome and advice, I feel much more comfortable now that the outboard is running as it should.