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DF50 water in oil update and I need a measurement!
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:46 pm
by Rich Walton
As I posted a while ago my Suzuki DF 50 has water in the oil, after much checking and looking into this issue, I ordered the manual. Well the exhaust manifold is cast into the head and the block on this motor so I have to pull it all apart so I can check it all out. (The tech at Browns point said that he hopes it is JUST a head gasket) After talking to the tech and describing my problems he told me to try the head gasket and when I have it apart to check for cracks in the head and block. So $300 dollars later (parts and manual) I am ready to pull the boat and start. But I have to back it up my very very steep driveway (never tried to do this before). So I tried to back up the trailer (without boat) and the trailer makes it with out scraping but I am worried about the boat hitting when it is on the trailer. Here is my question how far from the rear bunk does the boat hang? I will try it first with a piece of wood clamped to the trailer and see if that clears if that works then I will try it with the boat.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:18 pm
by Rob M
Hi Rich, dont know if you remember me, we met briefley in Curacao, anyway I just ran out and measured from the bunk to the stern of the boat and I get 46". Hope this helps Good luck Rob
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:28 pm
by Frank C
Sorry to hear about the motor problems, Rich. Good luck on it ...
If it's too much to get the boat up that hill to your workshop, maybe it would be worth dismounting the motor & fabricate a motor mount in the workshop.
From the thread you started in October, seems this problem just came on spontaneously ... without any overheating incident? Reading thru your post again, it seems there should be a pretty clear, convincing issue that's easy to locate. I have zero cognition on ourboard designs (cooling system & passages, wet exhaust systems - they're vastly different from car engines. It's unfortunate that you've now had saltwater in the crankcase, but maybe the oil will have somewhat protected things.
Rich Walton wrote:I have had my boat from 2002 I got it new from H&S in New Port Ca. I have used it a lot from 2002- 2004 until I had it shipped here, once here it took me 1 month to get it in the water and then I would go down and start it once a month or more to help keep the batts charged.
In March I took the boat out and had issues with the pee hole, (I also got caught by the local coast guard and they wanted to impound my boat) the week stream and spitting. I assumed it was the pump. So I ordered the parts and changed them. (I didn’t check the oil then I should have). then I finally got to the point where I could take the boat out (New hull # and #on my sail, and all kinds of other stuff I had to buy to get this thing registered).
I take the boat out so I can practice parking it as part of my test to get licensed and the boat starts to run real bad. So I am thinking bad gas. I got all new gas and new plugs. Tested it out and it still was running poor. And I was getting an Alarm that would beep once and then the oil light would flash 3 times then 2 more times. I then checked the oil and found it milky. I then thought head gasket? So I called Browns point to order a compression gauge and find out what the alarm was. The tech George, said he has never seen a blown head gasket on that model and told me I could be getting water in through the Exhaust sensor. He also told me that the alarm was from the MAP sensor.
So I went to the boat on sat. Took out the sensor (I don’t see how water can get in the oil from it) and it was corroded and when I started the motor with the sensor out of the motor water came out of the sensor hole (ALOT). So I changed the oil and tested the motor it still ran real bad but the MAP alarm stopped
So after I ran it for 15 min I checked the oil and it was milky and the level was a lot higher that before (1/2 a qt more) so a little later I will call George and see what he says.
Me Mine said some thing that might be happening if I am getting water all the way up my exhaust manifold and then in? I don’t know. All I know is that I moved to this place to sail. I have been here 15 months and had my boat in the water almost a year (Having it in the water is not cheap) and I have been out 2 times.
This is heart breaking, my wife says to me “Lets just go home pack it all and go home” She misses the states bad. And so I may leave this place and never gotten the sails up. This sucks!
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:54 am
by Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
Rich - Why do you have to back up your driveway?
Is it possible to drive up and turn your trailer around?
You could possibly use the winch on the trailer to move it around, or a come-a-long.
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:08 am
by craiglaforce
Be careful if the driveway has a sharp "dip" . My motor hit the pavement at a road that started up a steep hill and broke part of the skeg off. Luckily, this protected the propeller on mine and it still works fine. Get someone to spot for you and go slow, so you don't hit the motor.
Also of course, if you are backing up the hill, the trailer surge brakes (if so equipped) will fight you unless you disable them.
By the way, how is life in Curacao? Paradise? Do you live on the beach with green coconuts and have gorgeous women everywhere? Inquiring minds want to know. Are you a US expat that works there? I am always looking for a good place to end up eventually down that way somewhere.
Any downsides, other than it is harder to find an outboard repair shop?
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:52 am
by Rich Walton
Rob,
Yes I remember you, it is strange that even here we Mac folk can find each other! Since I saw you here I finally got the boat all legal here (a hard job) and took it out once! Then the motor started this stuff so I hope to get it fixed soon. Thanks for the help!
Frank,
Yes it started suddenly, but I am hoping that with the manual and some good luck I can get it fixed! (If not maybe I could talk my wife into the 90?) The tech at browns point told me to pull the power head off and set it on its side and it is a car motor. I dont believe it but we will see. Thanks for the moral support!
Bill,
My drive way is very narrow and steep, with no room to turn around at the top. So if I pull straight up I am (my truck) stuck. I think I will go with pulling the motor off the boat. Even that sound tuff!
Craig,
How do I like it here? I love it warm all year, I went diving yesterday and at 90 feet down the water was 82F I love the beaches, but with the Mac I could get to the dozens of beaches that have no road access.
As for the beautiful women I have a 20 year old son that is so happy here he wants to stay even if I leave.
Down sides? Manny high gas ($4 a gal) high water and elect, a poor economy and the Island is small real small. I am an expat here so I do well. I live in a house that would be millions any where else. But could buy it for 320k but with the island the way it is and my company is very unstable I will rent for now.
So with all that said any one want to come fix my motor? Free room and board while you are here? You buy the plane ticket!
Any one pulled the motor off? Any words of wisdom?
Rich