Suzuki outboard engines are quite a popular choice these days, and we are curious to know why this is the case. We think this is quite an interesting question, and we felt that looking into it with a little research will help clear out opinions from hard facts.
Just to lay it out plainly, are Suzuki marine engines any good? It is a definite yes, and this is according to hardcore marine enthusiasts, fishers, and casual users alike. Suzuki gives an average of five years on their warranty coverage for their engines. More than anything, it says a lot about the confidence in their product.
With that said, engines are mainly dependent on how they are used and how attentive their owners are to their maintenance. On the other hand, those long-lasting Suzuki engines have a lot going for it besides having a sensible owner who maintains it. Starting with competitive pricing that is very hard to match and on to a host of innovative technology, Suzuki is outselling almost every brand in the outboard motor industry. (source: www.pressmare.it )
What Makes A ‘Good’ Marine Engine?
An engine is a complicated piece of machinery, and marine engines are no exception. Marine engines are made to be simpler than car engines for easier maintenance and portability, among other reasons. Almost all brands on the market today are reputable and sturdy machines. Still, exceptional engines will have the help of excellent and sensible tech to help it stand out.
A good engine needs to have that balance between power, features, and ease of maintenance. Suzuki is proving to be great at all of these with their slew of tech and common sense features on their engines. Let us take a look at these as you continue reading below.
Suzuki Marine Engines In Terms Of Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a hotbed of arguments among boating enthusiasts, and there’s no sign of abating. While the competition is very close among engines of similar classes, Suzuki takes it up a notch by pioneering the use of the offset driveshaft. Because the crankshaft is positioned in front of the driveshaft, it moved the engine’s center of gravity forward. This, in turn, led to a more efficient weight distribution as well as a smaller engine overall.
Suzuki also has its proprietary ‘Lean Burn” technology, which supplies the right amount of fuel and air mixture depending on how the engine is run. They also have a battery-less electronic fuel injection system, especially on newer models. This tech allows for quick and easy starts as well as cleaner and economical fuel consumption.
A smaller engine with excellent weight distribution translates to better and improved combustion efficiency. Aside from reducing the overall engine size, Suzuki engineers also introduced multi-stage induction across their engines, starting with 150 HP. This means that manifold pipes are switched between shorter and longer ones depending on the speed. Engines are always given the correct volume of air on low and high-speed operations. Not only does this make the output stronger, but these add up to the engine’s fuel efficiency rating.
Suzuki’s Outboard Engine Power Delivery
Being more compact because of their driveshaft design allows Suzuki engines to be more potent than standard models of the same class. They are generally designed with higher gear ratios more substantial than conventional motors. A 2-stage gear reduction system is inherent in Suzuki’s offset driveshaft design gives even its smaller engines higher energy rotation to equip larger propellers.
Their outboard motors are also equipped with direct air intakes, with an airflow design that follows an uninterrupted flow from the input to the cylinder. A direct path means less obstruction. Therefore, cooler air reaches the engine, resulting in higher power output, even in Suzuki’s smaller displacement engines. Aside from this, the torque is also increased dramatically with its use of VVT or Variable Valve Timing technology, which opens and closes the intake valve depending on the engine’s operation.
How Long Do Suzuki Marine Engines Last?
We went out and asked 10 long time Suzuki user fishermen to get a real-life experience answer. The consensus is that a properly maintained Suzuki Marine engine will last 2,500 to 3,000 hours before needing major repairs. This means that if you decide to get one of these engines you are going to get your money’s worth.
Suzuki Marine Engine’s Reliability
Engines almost always include timing belts, and they need constant tensioning and maintenance. Not only that, but failing to maintain a timing belt can cause irreparable damage and kill your engine. Suzuki engines have wholly removed the timing belt and instead equipped their engines with a timing chain. This technology made it possible for Suzuki engines to be maintenance-free in terms of tensioning or lubrication.
The timing chain system runs in an integrated oil bath as well as a hydraulic tensioner that is automatic, meaning you never need lubrication and periodic adjustments on your timing chain. In terms of reliability, this is leaping forward compared to timing belt equipped engines. The good news is that these features are available on almost all their engine lineups.
Suzuki also started adapting a 2-way water inlet for the engine cooling system, which increased the water flow into the cooling chambers. The usual manufacturing practice is to put only one inlet, and putting two of them provides way better cooling performance. Capping its maintenance-friendly features is the water detection system that tells the operator if some water is present in the fuel. These details add up to make their engines one of the most reliable outboard engines manufactured.
(source for Suzuki tech specs: www.globalsuzuki.com )
Related Questions
Are Suzuki marine engines prone to corrosion? All Suzuki marine engines have a special protection coating system applied to their aluminum surface. This includes a high-strength bonding process to coat the outside parts and make them extremely resistant to saltwater corrosion. Even their intakes are designed to keep in only air and prevent water from coming into the cowl. Their unique two-way water inlets for the cooling system are placed strategically to prevent algae build-up. These marine engines are not completely corrosion-proof, but they do a pretty good job of preventing it.
Can they provide enough power? Between the offset driveshaft, the VVT technology, and Suzuki’s higher energy rotation, their marine engine packs some serious power for forward thrust and propulsion. Some of their engines even feature dual props (two props on one shaft rotating in the opposite direction) for more powerful braking and backing up force. Some have regular and counter-rotation functions on a single outboard. They also feature larger than standard propeller sizes, with the driveshaft configuration having more power to turn bigger diameter propellers.
Is Suzuki better than other brands? There is no simple yes or no answer to this as this is dependent on a lot of factors, most of which are user preference. Depending on what horsepower is needed or where a certain part is located contributes to how a certain user would rate the engine as the best. Suzuki has a lot going for it in terms of having easier maintenance and those smaller details that add up to an all-around package. Others will always have a preferred brand, but a Suzuki engine can deliver on all the things that matter to an engine.
The Takeaway
It really does not matter if the engine you chose has all the bells and whistles or just the basic package. If you want your engine to work the way it is intended, proper maintenance should be done. Proper maintenance will take care of most problems associated with a marine engine. Suzuki engines are not just good, but great engines and can compete head to head with any engine in the market today.
