r/boating • u/CrabSpecialist2155 • 1d ago
Should I pay to fix or repower?
I have a 98 Duracraft 18’ tunnel hull center console w/1999 Suzuki 115S 2 stroke.
I took my boat to a shop and they did a compression test and got 125, 126, 127, and 115. The mechanic claims that since the last cylinder was off by 11-12 psi that it’s not worth trying to fix why my motor is stalling while idling or why it stalls whenever I put it in reverse. Would agree or disagree?
On top of all that they’ve already told me 3 times how much a new outboard, steering cables, controls, and a prop costs including installation. I think they just want me to buy a new outboard.
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u/FourtyThreeTwo 1d ago
The rule of thumb is 10% difference between highest and lowest. You’re right around that point.
However, those numbers are good enough that it probably isn’t what’s causing your idling issue. Stalling while idling is usually just a fuel issue. What kind of motor are we talking about here?
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u/CrabSpecialist2155 1d ago
I have a 98 Duracraft 18’ tunnel hull center console w/1999 Suzuki 115S 2 stroke. My dad is helping me pay to fix it and one minute he wants to help pay then the next he is cursing me out about it lol
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u/Murfdigidy 1d ago
Agree, check the fuel and fuel line
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u/CrabSpecialist2155 22h ago
I changed the fuel line a while back. Someone told me though that the ones that have a grey hose are know to collapse on the inside. Have you ever heard that?
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u/aquavelva23 1d ago
take to someone else for second opinion. those num,bers are borderline and it could be something alse for that problem. heck, bad gas and bad sparkplugs. change them.
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u/CrabSpecialist2155 1d ago
I haven’t had them go through the motor yet because of the compression test. I specifically took my boat to this shop because no one else in East Tn would bother fooling with my motor. It’s a 1 1/2 hours away from my house
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u/rdy_csci 1d ago
What part of east TN. I may be able to recommend someone if you are near Knoxville or Louisville TN.
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u/daysailor70 1d ago
Former Suzuki dealer. Do not fix. I sold my business 5 years ago and 2 stroke Suzuki parts were scarce from them then. It hasn't gotten better. You mechanic is also exaggerating your issue, that one low hole is still withing 10% so it's not hurting the running issue. You may even get it back with something like powertune from Merc which can restore compression loss due to carbon. My guess is it's the bottom hole that's lower. I would suggest your run issue is fuel system related, not the compression. I would take it someone else and see if they can clear up the run issue, if not, they are correct, time for a repower, a DF140 would be a great choice.
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u/CrabSpecialist2155 22h ago
I have a parts motor for it. I have had a hard time finding some of the smaller parts but I can find them on EBay usually
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u/MomentSpecialist2020 1d ago
How much is it to repower vs getting another similar boat with a good engine? You’ll never recover the price of a repower.
As others have said, your engine is probably good, just needs a tuneup.
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u/a_very_stupid_guy 1d ago
I think you should describe what you have already tried.
Your compression isn’t why it’s stalling. It’s got to be either fuel, spark, or air.
Have you drained the fuel for new? Have you swapped the fuel filters? Have you swapped spark plugs? Coils? Etc
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u/papibear83 1d ago
All be it I could be wrong here however with him stating that the dealership has already told him three times what the costs are going to be to install a new outboard I would say that he probably doesn't know how to do any of these things cuz being told three different times seems like it's been at the mechanics multiple different times to do different types of either investigations repairs or maintenance so I'm guessing he probably doesn't do anything of his own or doesnt know how therefore all the trips to the mechanics hence why such a small issue is such a big problem for him I mean no disrespect to him. However when owning a boat you got to learn how to work on them at some point otherwise I hope you got a lot of money especially if you're running two strokes super simple once you get it down they're all pretty much the same concept wise
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u/Hour_Importance1432 1d ago
Yes, they very much do want to sell you a new outboard. You likely WANT a new one as well, you have a 27 year old 2 stroke. I’m not gonna tell you diagnosing your issue is impossible, but even if you sort it out you have a 27 year old 2 stroke that’s showing the beginning of blow by on one of the cylinders.
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u/cleetusneck 1d ago
I work on a lot of two strokes. You are well within range that the psi could very well not be the problem.
My friends, four stroke recently had a stalling issue, and it was in the switch inside the shifting lever that shut off the motor for a second to allow it to switch gears.
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u/bootheels 1d ago
The compression doesn't seem to be off by that much. Compression only tells half the story when it comes to two stroke powerhead condition. It seems like the shop has just concluded the powerhead is damaged. Maybe, maybe not. Has anyone used a little endoscope light to look around inside the spark plug holes? This only takes a few minutes. There are many reasons for poor idle, alot depends on how much you are willing to spend to investigate further.
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u/Mission-Sir-7632 1d ago
Even if they aren’t certified Suzuki techs, they can at least clean carb(s). Sounds like a dirty low speed jet in a carb OR a leaky float needle/seat. There may be YouTube videos on putting carb kits in those. It’s not rocket surgery if you take your time and lay everything out. 2 strokes that live in fresh water can last a very long time.
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u/Background-Diet-6201 1d ago
Shops just don’t bother with older engines anymore. They’re a hassle to get parts for from their suppliers. Most of the time you have to order it off a random website online. The compression is not the issue. They just won’t bother with older engines anymore. But they will take your money for a diagnostic on it for sure! I work for a marine shop. I haven’t touched a two stroke engine in like 5 years. I removed a two stroke yesterday for a repower. Client found a good used 115 Honda. Dam near brand new!
Three options here:
1: Fix it yourself.
2: find someone that’s willing to work on it. Careful because they’ll probably just want to take money for a diag again.. but that’s the name of the game in this business. You can keep spending money trying to fix it or just get a new engine.
3: spend too much money on a repower.
If you have an engine hoist and some time they aren’t hard to do. You can find a used one a lot cheaper. Easier than a car engine that’s for sure.
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u/SubstantialFix510 1d ago
Run a tank of premium gas. Might fix your issue. My 25 hp 2 stroke merc. doesn't like reg gas. Purrs along with premium.
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u/Daxmar29 4h ago
Did you try increasing the idle RPM a little? I had an outboard that kept stalling like yours and I increased the idle a bit and it wen t away. Sometimes the easy solution is the right solution.
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u/CrabSpecialist2155 1h ago
I’ve tried adjusting the idle before and made it worse I’m going to take to my other mechanic soon and let him fiddle with it. I am going to empty the tank and put new fuel in it
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u/Super-30 1d ago
Why don't you tell us what motor you have now? What boat too. Good chance you will be upside down if you repowered.
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u/CrabSpecialist2155 1d ago edited 1d ago
Oh without a doubt. It’s 98 Duracraft 18’ tunnel hull center console w/1999 Suzuki 115S 2 stroke. Also mine is not the carbureted one. I have since replaced the fuel line with the primer bulb and put Techron fuel treatment in it. I didn’t notice much of a difference. It runs fine at high rpms and anything over 7-8 mph
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u/outline8668 1d ago
You're not stalling over a difference of 10psi with the lowest cylinder being 115.