Small portable four-stroke outboards such as the Suzuki DF2.5 are extremely convenient, but there is one important difference compared with small two-stroke motors: you need to be careful which side you lay the motor on when transporting or storing it horizontally.
Getting this wrong can result in engine oil migrating from the crankcase into areas where it shouldn't be, potentially causing oil leakage, excessive smoking and, in more severe cases, oil entering the cylinder.
An Important Note Before We Start
Wild Coast Kayaks is not an authorised Suzuki Marine dealer, nor are we Suzuki-trained or authorised outboard mechanics.
The information in this article is therefore not intended to replace Suzuki's owner's manual or advice from an authorised Suzuki Marine technician. These are simply practical notes based on our own experience with small outboards and questions we receive from customers.
If you are uncertain about your motor, particularly after a significant oil leak, we recommend consulting an authorised Suzuki Marine dealer or qualified outboard technician.
Which Side Should the Suzuki DF2.5 Lie On?
According to Suzuki's transport instructions, when the DF2.5 needs to be transported horizontally, the motor should be positioned on the correct designated side, using its case protector.
This is important because the DF2.5 is a four-stroke engine containing engine oil in its crankcase.
Unlike a two-stroke outboard where lubricating oil is normally mixed with the fuel, a four-stroke has a separate oil supply. When the motor is laid incorrectly, gravity can allow this oil to move through the engine's internal passages.
What Can Happen If You Lay It on the Wrong Side?
One of the most obvious signs is engine oil leaking from the motor.
Oil may also migrate towards the intake or combustion chamber. Depending on how long the motor was lying incorrectly and how much oil moved, you could subsequently experience:
- Oil leaking externally
- An oil-fouled spark plug
- Oil entering the air intake or carburettor area
- Oil entering the cylinder
- Difficulty pulling the starter cord
- Difficulty starting
- Heavy blue or white smoke when the motor eventually starts
- A reduced crankcase oil level
The important point is not to panic and immediately start pulling the starter repeatedly.
What Should You Do If Oil Has Leaked?
First, return the outboard to its normal upright operating position and allow sufficient time for the oil to drain back into the crankcase.
Before starting the motor, check the engine oil level correctly.
If there has been a noticeable amount of oil leakage, we would also suggest removing and inspecting the spark plug before attempting to start the motor. If oil has entered the cylinder, the starter may become unusually difficult to pull.
With the spark plug removed, the engine can be turned over carefully to establish whether oil has entered the cylinder.
If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, this is the point where we would recommend taking the motor to a qualified outboard technician.
Don't Force the Starter
This is probably the most important practical point.
If the starter cord suddenly feels far more difficult to pull than normal, don't simply pull harder.
If enough liquid oil has accumulated above the piston, the piston may be unable to complete its compression stroke because liquid cannot be compressed in the same way as the normal air/fuel mixture.
Stop and investigate the cause rather than forcing the engine to turn over.
Some Smoke Afterwards Can Be Normal
If a small amount of engine oil has entered the intake, cylinder or exhaust system, the motor may smoke considerably when it is first restarted.
Provided the cause has been identified, the cylinder is clear and the engine has the correct oil level, some temporary smoke can simply be residual oil being burnt away.
Persistent smoking, unusual noises, continued oil leakage or poor running should, however, be investigated by a qualified technician.
A Simple Habit That Can Prevent the Problem
Before transporting any portable four-stroke outboard horizontally, check the manufacturer's instructions for the correct transport position.
Don't assume that because a motor physically fits comfortably on a particular side that it is safe to transport that way.
This applies not only to the Suzuki DF2.5 but to portable four-stroke outboards generally — different manufacturers and models may specify different transport positions.
For us, the lesson is simple:
Know which side your four-stroke is designed to lie on before putting it in the vehicle.
A few seconds spent checking can potentially save you from an oil-covered vehicle, a fouled spark plug and an outboard that refuses to start at the water.
Disclaimer
This article is provided by Wild Coast Kayaks as general information based on our experience and is not official Suzuki technical advice. Wild Coast Kayaks is not an authorised Suzuki Marine dealer or authorised Suzuki outboard service centre. Always refer to the owner's manual supplied with your particular outboard and consult an authorised Suzuki Marine dealer or suitably qualified outboard technician if you are uncertain.
For more information on the above or other questions, contact Brett HERE.
