DT 65 won't run in forward gear

[dogscoop]

I'm looking a buying an 1987 DT65, which has some defects. The motor is way up in the north of the country so there is no way I can eyeball it before making a decision. It's priced real low and could be a good buy if easily fixable.

Description from the seller. "The motor starts fine on land, however on the water it will only run in neutral or reverse. It dies/stalls when put into forward gear. Also the power tilt does not hold the motor up. I have just bought a new 2006 model and don't have the time or patience to spend fixing the old motor"


Any ideas on what the problem might be guys?

Cheers

DogScoop

 

[JB]

Re: DT 65 won't run in forward gear

Needs fixing, scooper. Probably not making power on all cylinders.

That could be a simple carb cleaning, an expensive powerpak or a very expensive rebuild.

Some seals would probably fix up the PT&T.

Unless it is priced around $100, I would pass.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: DT 65 won't run in forward gear

I agree with JB ..... 65hp suzuki's are really nice engines and the biggest problem with these 65 is the what you have described right now .... a simple fuel pump diaphram would fix it, but there might be other big things that can cause it too .....

 

[dogscoop]

Re: DT 65 won't run in forward gear

Thanks for the comments gys... I'm not sure understand what the pump has to do with it, if it runs under load in reverse but dies in forward.

Are there any leading questions I could ask about the engine? Like if it appears to be a seized gear or if there is low compression?.. stuff like that to try to suss out what might be wrong.

It's a nice looking motor and being way up above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway it's probably only had minimum use.. during the short summer months.

This could be a cool restoration project for the coming winter season. Photos here:



http://sekkepipenorge.com/s651.jpg

http://sekkepipenorge.com/s652.jpg

http://sekkepipenorge.com/s653.jpg

http://sekkepipenorge.com/s654.jpg

 

[JB]

Re: DT 65 won't run in forward gear

Sounds like the lower end is okay, scoop. The FWD gear cannot freeze up without freezing other parts of the gearcase.

The engine would require more fuel to run under load in FWD than REV. A failing fuel pump could provide enough fuel for REV, but not FWD.

If you want to pursue it, ask for:

A compression check. differences in cylinders of over 15% are a sign of at least a blown head gasket or at worst a ruined block.

A report on what the engine does if each plug wire is disabled at idle. All should cause a drop in idle speed. If one does not change the idle there is no power from that one.

A report on what the engine does at idle if fuel is squirted into each carb. A jump in rpm from any indicates a gummed carb.

There are other possibilities related to linkages and throttle blocks but they would be an easy fix.