1991 Suzuki DT85

[czoerb]

Hello,
New to the forum. Very bittersweet that there are so many posts regarding this motor. I read through a bunch of them and I guess I still feel the need to express my particular issues and ask for help in diagnosis.

Issue:
Motor does not like to run in the water. If I raise the prop out of the water it runs. Lower the prop and it becomes sluggish and will not idle, put it in gear and it immediately dies. After about a half hour of trying to get it going it usually ends up chugging along (barely) and then all of the sudden something kicks in and it goes to full throttle. Very confusing. Once it shuts off it does not like to start again.
Most of the guages do not work this year. Also, most annoying while I try to start the boat is this very loud BEEP (lasts about 5 seconds) when I turn the key

History:
I bought the boat at the end of last year. It ran fine on multiple test runs. Had it winterized.

Yesterday:
Boat almost sank in the middle of the lake. Lucky for us that someone was close by and nice enough to tow us back to the launch. New problem: back half of boat completely flooded, motor wont turn over at all.

Any ideas or advice?

-Chris

 

[waffles1]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

Pull your plugs immediately, get the water out of the cylinders and fog the hell out of it. It sounds like they are full of water. Hopefully no damage has occurred.

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

Any ideas on the issues prior to the sinking?

I looked at it last night (out of the water). It started and runs when it is tilted all the way up. Lower the motor and it won't start but will turn. Upon further inspection the tube going into the motor that is connected to the "bulb" seems to have a small leak and there is about two tablespoons of gas on the bottom.

 

[waffles1]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

It sounds like a fuel problem and maybe your line is sucking air. Replace the bad spot or the whole thing if need be. Once that is fix try pumping the bulb, look for leaks and run the motor while doing so. If it runs better while pumping the bulb your fuel pump maybe bad. If no changes then your carbs may need to have a complete break down and good cleaning. You may have a needle sticking. Make sure your tank is venting well also. Good luck.

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

Is it bad to run the motor out of the water? I had a neighbor come by and tell me about it.... but he might have just wanted me to shut it off. (its the only time my motor likes to run anyway)

Thank you, I'll check those things after work.

 

[waffles1]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

As long as the muffs are on and it is peeing you are fine. Don't hold the revs up too long though. There's no load on the engine out of the water and the only true test is running it in the water. It's like trying to see how your car runs ok sitting on blocks with the wheels off the ground.

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

What are muffs? Its not "peeing" anymore, I have started it "dry" too many times now but no longer than 5 - 10 seconds.

I took the spark plugs out yesterday. They were nasty, especially the bottom one. I used about half a can of fogging spray between the three cylinders. Replaced with new spark plugs and it started much easier and the prop was turning with new life... Lots of smoke though; I assume this if from the fogging spray burning out???????

What is the best way to get at the carbs? They sit behind the oil resivoir? Do I need to drain the fuel and oil? What would be the best way?

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

What are muffs? Its not "peeing" anymore, I have started it "dry" too many times now but no longer than 5 - 10 seconds.

I took the spark plugs out yesterday. They were nasty, especially the bottom one. I used about half a can of fogging spray between the three cylinders. Replaced with new spark plugs and it started much easier and the prop was turning with new life... Lots of smoke though; I assume this if from the fogging spray burning out???????

What is the best way to get at the carbs? They sit behind the oil resivoir? Do I need to drain the fuel and oil? What would be the best way to do that?

 

[waffles1]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

You shouldn't run your motor out of the water without muffs. The 10 - 20 secs probably didn't hurt anything but I wouldn't push it. Muffs go around the water intake of the motor and a garden hose can be hooked up to supply water to the engine to keep it cool. A very cheap investment. Your motor won't pee without the muffs. Does it pee when you are on the water? When you say the plugs were nasty especailly the bottom one, describe what you mean by "nasty"? Dark and oily? They should be tan and dry. The smoke is from the fogging spray. You do not have to remove the fuel and reservoir. The reservior should have two or three screws in it and it can be left hooked up and moved to the side to get to the carbs. Make sure you do not make any adjustments to the carb linkages and that you put the carbs back on the same way they came off. Good Luck.

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

I'll have to pick up a set of muffs today. Yes, it does pee when it is on the water.

The top plug was somewhat greasy looking. The middle plug was tan and dry. The bottom plug was dark and greasy.

Didn't get a chance to get at the carbs last night.

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

Biting the bullet. Had to bring it in to a shop today. Waiting for my estimate.

 

[waffles1]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

Let us know what they find.

 

[czoerb]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

They called yesterday. The Carbs need to be cleaned out and there is water in the gas. They are going to clean the carbs out and run it off of their fuel to make sure it is problem solved.

They won't take the 12 gallons of bad gas. I will have to get creative with disposal... At least the 4th of July is approaching.

 

[waffles1]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

I have been guilty of this myself. It really pays to fog the motor and treat the gas when winterizing. It is relatively inexpensive and saves a "lot" of trouble the next spring. There are a lot of threads in here involving troubled carbs that could have been prevented by doing the simple things when parking the boat for the winter.

 

[tracyray]

Re: 1991 Suzuki DT85

What does it mean to fog the motor?