CONTINUOUSWAVE

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].

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.