suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

[kennymcmack]

So I was out cruising by myself at full throttle yesterday and then suddenly something broke and I lost all thrust. The boat slowed down, but the engine kept up the high rpm's. It was almost as if it just switched into nuetral, but it didn't. Luckily, I soon found out that it still provides thrust up until 5 mph and any higher than that, it will "slip into nuetral" and loss all thrust. I say "slip into nuetral" because that's what it fells like, but it can't be because the gear shifter is still in the forward position. After it passes this critical point where I lose thrust, I have to come back to idle then gradually ramp back up to 4-5 mph.

I'm very new at boating so I'm not sure whats happening. The powerhead still works great. It will start up smooth and run fine, so I think the problem is somewhere in the lower unit.

My hypothesis: Is there some kind of torque limiting device in the lower unit? I am think that if there is, then this device is failing and not providing enough toque to the prop when it gets to 6 mph and greater.

Any ideas? Thanks, Kenny.

 

[James R]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

Sounds like your prop hub has failed.Try putting a scratch mark on a nut flat and a corresponding one on the prop hub outside. Rev the motor in the water in gear, pull the boat out and see if the prop has moved relative to the prop nut. If it has the hub is shot. Props can be re-hubbed or you can find a replacement. You may have a slip in type hub. If that is the case you can get a replacement hub from your dealer.

 

[kennymcmack]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

great info! thanks. I'll try it.

 

[waffles1]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

Also try unhooking the cable at the motor from the shifter and manually push the lever forward to make sure you are going all the way into gear. I am not sure which control box you have but I had a similiar problem and found out there's a black knob for cable tension on the front of my control box that worked it's way loose. I turned this clockwise and tightened the cable and my problem went away. It's not visible unless you are looking for it and I didn't even know it was there. Did the gears have a noticable grind when you put it into forward? If it seems to be a cable issue check the inside of your control box. Good luck

 

[kennymcmack]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

I took the prop off and saw that there was rubber shavings all over. I think that the hub is worn away. I took it to a boat place and they said it's the old style with the pressed in hub and I can't really do it my garage. So I will look around for a repair place to do it. Thanks James R.

The gears sound great. They engage smootly and I don't feel there's a problem there. The gear shifter linkage in the control box broke, so I took out the cable and connected it to a homemade shifter, so I know for sure that the cable is definetely getting locked in gear. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

replace the prop, make sure you match up the numbers, and have the old one repaired, for a back up. and you should always carry a spare prop, it can be close to same pitch but doesn't have to and doesn't have to be in great shape. it a spare. they are easy to change.

 

[James R]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

Cost is always a factor. You may find a good used prop on Ebay. Try Iboats for a competitive price. Browns point.com will provide the OEM prop and the price.

 

[99yam40]

Re: suzuki dt60 suddenly lost thrust

I have always taken my props to the local boat and parts store and had them send it off to have it repaired. They usually know the best and most dependable shops to have it done. They can even repitch props if needed.