6 Suzuki 200 Outboard Problems You Should Know (Explained)

Suzuki Marine builds the Suzuki 200 Outboard. This outboard has low-end torque with great acceleration. It is a reliable outboard, and Suzuki provides great customer service.

The Suzuki 200 Outboard is affordable but high-powered to perform exactly the way you want it to.

This article delivers the most common problems you may find with the Suzuki 200 Outboard.

We will discuss the problems in depth and give you some solutions in case you run into them.

1) Idle Air Control Valve Failure

The Idle Air Control (IAC) controls the rotational speed of the engine while it idles. The Suzuki 200 Outboard is a 4-stroke model, and there are repeated reports of one or more of the IAC valves failing.

Many customers state they are replacing valves a minimum of once a year. These valves are fairly expensive.

Some common signs that the AIC valve is failing are you have a rough idea, your engine does not start, or the engine fails while you are idling. You may also stall while idling, or your engine needs throttling while warming up, so it does not stall.

When there is build-up around the valve, it gets clogged. In addition, since these valves control the rotational speed during idling rotational speed, it is impacted when they are not fully functional.

In addition to carbon build-up, there may be oily residue or fuel residue around the valves. This causes problems with the electromagnetic functions of your Suzuki 200 Outboard.

You can clean the AIC valves, and all you need is throttle body cleaner, clean rages, a screwdriver, and plastic wire brushes.

  • You want to remove the connector wire and screws that hold the cap on the valve. You will find the connector wire under this cap, along with the screws. Disconnect the wire, then remove the screws.
  • Using the throttle body spray clean inside the valve.
  • Using the clean rag, clean off the insert valve. You want to use a plastic wire brush to clean the exhaust side of the valve.

If this does not work, you should check the spark plugs and the carburetor. If they seem to be in good working order, then you should replace the AIC valve.

2) Acceleration Reduction in High Pitch Propeller

The Suzuki 200 Outboard has a propeller attached to the outboard engine. It has many blades which push or propel the water. The distance the propeller can move in one revolution is called the propeller pitch.

The Suzuki outboard has an additional reduction gear to enable a larger propeller to spin. However, sometimes this causes a problem because when the propeller is rotating, it converts the torque of the engine to grip the water effectively.

When you have a larger diameter propeller with no pitch change, it causes lower RPMs. It also creates a mismatch between the engine and the propeller. There could be too much pitch; the propeller may be too big or too small. This causes it to slip.

You can change the propeller to prevent slipping. You should consult a Suzuki 200 Outboard professional to change the propeller properly. Although, it is possible for you to do it yourself.

3) Corrosion of Suzuki Outboard

According to customer reports, this is one of the most common problems with the Suzuki 200 Outboard.

If you find that your engine is consistently stalling in neutral and then fails to idle, you may have corrosion. Most often, corrosion results from the engine mount deteriorating, and the engine is rusting.

A rusting engine can become a significant problem if it begins to damage your boat trimming. It can also cause problems with the position of your engine mounting.

Some cases of corrosion are caused by bad design resulting in the exhaust being hampered, causing leaks in the exhaust. This can corrode the engine.

You may also find corrosion around the hose clamp. Every other trip you make on your boat, you should take off the outboard hood. Please ensure the engine has cooled before doing this.

Once you remove the hood, apply a thin film of silicone spray on the powerhead. Be intentional in your silicone spray selection, as you do not want to damage the plastic.

Another step is to ensure that your Suzuki 200 Outboard engine is not directly exposed to UV rays as this degrades rubber and plastic. If you cannot store it out of the sun, then you should cover the engine with a UV resistant fabric.

4) Engine Vibration

Boat owners have discussed significant vibration in the Suzuki 200 Outboard 4 stroke engine. This is caused most commonly by a bad propeller. It could be loose, damaged, or obstructed.

A good indicator that the vibration is being caused by the engine is if you feel stronger vibration when the RPM of your propeller increases.

You should first take a look at the propeller to see if it is bent or damaged in any way. If it is, it can cause unbalanced propulsion, which results in vibration.

If the proper is restricted and cannot rotate properly, you will have a vibration. Sometimes a fishing line or seaweed gets tangled in your propeller. This is common when you are in an area with a lot of boats, or you travel in water that is not very deep.

If you find yourself in either of these conditions, you should inspect your propeller regularly. If it is not damaged or tangled in something, it could be loose.

You can tighten the mounting bolt or steering pivot.

However, if there is severe damage, such as a misalignment of the shaft, you need a professional to repair it.

5) Engine Has a Rough Idle

Some boat owners have stated their Suzuki 200 Outboard is not running smoothly when they are at lower RPMs. This seems to happen around 1550 to 1900 RPMs.

Additionally, some owners have stated it is so rough that they cannot steer the boat when it idles.

Many times this is caused by a bad thermostat. Another cause could be when the cylinder is not connecting properly to the plugs.

If you run into this problem, it is not simple to fix on your own. Instead, a professional should diagnose a dysfunctional cylinder or injector problem. Although, if the cylinder has darkened, it could be a sign that it has gone or is going bad.

Typically, the injector or cylinder will need replacement.

6) Starter Motor Is Not Working

There have been some mentions of the Suzuki 200 Outboard starter going bad. When this happens, you cannot restart or even start your engine. Typically, it would be best if you replaced the starter when this occurs.

There are some steps you can take if you find yourself in a desperate situation.

First, you can try to turn the key while tapping the starter with a hammer. This can sometimes engage the starter, which allows the engine to start.

If that does not work, you can send power directly to the solenoid. This can engage the starter. When you do this, it often causes a large spark or cranking of the engine. However, this can be dangerous and should be your absolute last option.

If this is done incorrectly, you could be shocked significantly.

General Pros and Cons For Suzuki 200 Outboard

Pros:

The engine core is the best technology that Suzuki has to offer.

The engine contains a lean burn system that constantly corrects the oxygen to gas ratio for optimal combustion.

As a result, the Suzuki engine still saves owners up to 16% of fuel consumption even at the highest speeds because it burns fuel efficiently.

While the engine is often described as a mid-range engine, it provides top performance.

Cons:

  • The engine is known to have significant vibrations.
  • The outboard commonly corrodes.
  • The Idle Air Control valves are expensive and typically must be replaced annually.

Sources

uphomely.com

 

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