Suzuki 90

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
Boots
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:26 am

Suzuki 90

Postby Boots » Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:35 am

I have a 15-year-old Suzuki 90-HP engine that has not been started in [more than five] years.

Q1: Should I have this [c.2005 SUZUKI 90-HP outboard engine that has not been started for more than five years] brought back to life?

Q2: Or, should I replace [this c.2005 SUZUKI 90-HP outboard engine that has not been started for more than five years] ?

[The c.2005 SUZUKI 90-HP outboard engine that has not been started for more than five years] smoked a little when started back in the day.

ASIDE: I plan on preparing [what was later clarified to be a 1989 SSL 17] to teach my nine-year-old and 12-year-old grandkids to boat around the creeks off the Chesapeake Bay and for water sports. I redid the interior some years ago. [The 1989 SSL 17 has a] walk-through double console, lots of storage, a [ski tow pylon], and a [molded stern deck cover].

cesarcap
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:08 pm

Re: SUZUKI 90

Postby cesarcap » Sat Feb 08, 2020 2:39 pm

To spend a little for a tune up, have some[one] look at the impeller, change the gasoline, and replace the fuel lines [would be good]. Last year I had to re-power [some unidentified boat with an unidentified engine] at a cost of $30,000.

jimh
Posts: 11672
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: Suzuki 90

Postby jimh » Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:20 pm

If the cost is to be as much as $30,000, I would expect that any boat powered by a 90-HP engine could be replaced with a new boat along with a new engine.

User avatar
Phil T
Posts: 2602
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: Suzuki 90

Postby Phil T » Sat Feb 08, 2020 6:57 pm

I would have a qualified mechanic survey the motor for compression and leak down testing, and ascertain its condition.

Given a new 90-HP outboard engine runs $8,000 to $9,000 to install, and re-rigging is another $2,000 to $3,000, to spend $1,000 to $2,000 in maintenance on the existing engine is good--if the engine is in decent shape.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

jimh
Posts: 11672
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: Suzuki 90

Postby jimh » Sun Feb 09, 2020 8:50 am

If your future plans for the boat are for water skiing, you may want to increase the engine to more than 90-HP.

If the older SUZUKI engine is a two-stroke-power-cycle engine with carburetors, you certainly want the engine to be in excellent tune, with fresh spark plugs, with the carburetors clean and properly synchronized, and able to start on the first turn-over. If the engine is not in good condition, it will be hard to start and won't run well. A hard-to-start outboard engine will be a problem for young boat operators. An engine that stalls often is a nuisance for anyone operating a boat.

Reduce the smoke in the engine exhaust by using a modern two-stroke-power-cycle oil that is smokeless, has solvents to reduce carbon, and is mostly synthetic, such as Evinrude XD100 oil or other premium oils.

Boots
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:26 am

Re: Suzuki 90

Postby Boots » Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:55 am

[The SUZUKI 90] is a four-stroke-power-cycle engine.

jimh
Posts: 11672
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: Suzuki 90

Postby jimh » Sun Feb 09, 2020 4:32 pm

If the engine is a DF90 four-stroke-power-cycle, then its restoration to good running conditions is even more encouraged.

biggiefl
Posts: 897
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 1:31 pm
Location: south Tampa Bay area
Contact:

Re: Suzuki 90

Postby biggiefl » Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:01 am

As from recent experience, it may cost a few quid to get her up to snuff. You are probably looking at a new fuel and water pump. Various fuel and other filters as well as cleaning the injectors. I would assume if all is needed you are in the $1000-1500 range which is a lot cheaper than a new 90hp. However I would make sure it is worth doing anything by a quick compression test, etc. depending on its environment when stored anything is possible like stuck valve or ??

Jimh--a 17' SSL is rated for 100hp. I think it would be perfectly fine to waterski with a 90hp four-stroke-power-cycle engine.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).