problems in my DF 175

[steve bart]

My df175 had the same noise it was the balance shaft bearing and suzy replaced it under warranty.Have had it out a few times now and it is quiet as a mouse.
Cheers Steve

[Madmick]

Not sure if the balance shaft bearing is the same as the item they have already replaced once before...
However I was pretty sure that they told me that they replaced a ceramic bush on the shaft.

As stated before this lasted approx 50 hrs before the noise returned.

Engine is being looked at again as I write this. Unfortunately based on previous experience. If the bush is replaced again the outcome will probably not be known for some time.

The question has to be asked why is this bush drying out or destroying itself ???

If it wasnt for this issue it would be a brilliant engine. Economical heaps of punch. Crossing bars has so much grip and power. Very quiet when the squeel is not present.

[Madmick]

Its back....

The engine has now done just over 150 hours. The sqeal has returned.
They replaced the bush again and did some modifications so it would hold lube. However this introduced a harmic similiar to differential noise on an old car at various rev ranges and under certain load conditions. The sqeal was gone for approx 40 -50 hrs and now its back again.

Have contacted the service agent who said he will have to get intouch with Suzuki to get the ball rolling again.

This is getting very frustrating. Especially as I have spent a lot of money to repower for reliability.

Cannot keep going back every 3 months for a new bush.

Depending on what Suzuki do my next step may be to seek legal advice.

[tyee chaser]

*** !... do all the big block inline 4's develope this squeal ? ... i'm currently in negotiations to repower with a 175, plan to pull the trigger after Xmas holidays... i'm somewhat concerned now .

- Mike

[Madmick]

DF175 Noise

Suzuki have just replaced the bearing, the bush as well as the shaft to try to rectify the noise. ( squeal after 20 -50 hrs ).
Unfortunately it wont be for another 50 or so hours until I know if the problem has been resolved.
Very frustrating as the engine is fine in every other aspect.
Perhaps a bit unlucky as I know others with the same engine who have no issues. Although they do not do the hours I do in the same time frame.

We will wait and see.

[USAF1975]

Squeal on DF-175

I would like to find out if others have the actual part numbers that were replaced.

I have an appointment on monday to replace some bushing with a snapring they ordered. The Suzuki dealer seemed like they knew exactly what was going on.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. My warranty is up in 6 months and I have 700 hours on this engine. 90 percent is trolling speed of 2.5 mph at an rpm of 1000. Squeal sounds like a "fish on" with the reel screaming line out. I think I will call and see exactly what parts are being replaced.

[dusky25]

Did anyone ever find a solution to the squeal or squeaking problem?

[briscoe]

Fix it and...

Not clear the issues Suzuki finally figured out, but my dealer said every 175 they have seen has the same squeal issue and they only fix it temporarily. Repair and trade it in.

[Ocean Obsession]

Not clear the issues Suzuki finally figured out, but my dealer said every 175 they have seen has the same squeal issue and they only fix it temporarily. Repair and trade it in.

I also have this issue with one of my model year 2011 DF175 Suzuki outboards (120 hours) (port engine). It's REALLY bad and occurs every time I troll or pull it down off plane. I think I can even hear it while on plane too. It's really severe...

I just left a message with my Suzuki tech over here in St. Petersburg. (FL) describing the issue in detail. I told him about it last time the engines were in for service (100 hours).

I'm confident they'll figure out the issue....

[USAF1975]

Squeal

Did anyone ever find a solution to the squeal or squeaking problem?

Guys,

The dealer in Key Largo replaced the bushing and it ran like a champ for about 10 hours. Then the squeal started coming back.

The dealer sanded the shaft to take the salt and corrosion off and put a new bushing on. Well it just rides in sanded area that does not have a perfect finish on it so it just squeals again when the salt builds up on it. It is the salt water that does it. I took the boat back to Wisconsin after and troll up here with it and it no longer squeals. This has happened two seasons now. This year it was only back in the salt for 3 weeks after they replaced the bushing and it squealed, then back in Wisconsin after the salt is washed off no squeal. If it were down in Florida for more than the two months the salt would not wear off and the squeal would be continuous like it was last year.

The dealer said Suzuki will not replace it again as it is considered a wear item and should be changed every time you change the water impeller.

For what it is worth that is hog wash. If the design is a water cooled/lubricated bushing that will not tolerate salt water then change your design. If the shaft surface finish is damaged then Suzuki should replace the shaft and bushing until they figure out a better design. Nobody gives a rip anymore about quality.

Retired Mechanical engineer.

[tyee chaser]

Guys,

The dealer in Key Largo replaced the bushing and it ran like a champ for about 10 hours. Then the squeal started coming back.

The dealer sanded the shaft to take the salt and corrosion off and put a new bushing on. Well it just rides in sanded area that does not have a perfect finish on it so it just squeals again when the salt builds up on it. It is the salt water that does it. I took the boat back to Wisconsin after and troll up here with it and it no longer squeals. This has happened two seasons now. This year it was only back in the salt for 3 weeks after they replaced the bushing and it squealed, then back in Wisconsin after the salt is washed off no squeal. If it were down in Florida for more than the two months the salt would not wear off and the squeal would be continuous like it was last year.

The dealer said Suzuki will not replace it again as it is considered a wear item and should be changed every time you change the water impeller.

For what it is worth that is hog wash. If the design is a water cooled/lubricated bushing that will not tolerate salt water then change your design. If the shaft surface finish is damaged then Suzuki should replace the shaft and bushing until they figure out a better design. Nobody gives a rip anymore about quality.

Retired Mechanical engineer.

Interesting,... sounds to me like it's the salt that causes the squeal... just an FYI to everyone, I repowered my boat with a 2012 zuke 175 this past spring, I have 185hrs on it now, i mostly troll with it on lake Ontario for salmon, no squeaks of any kind, been a rock solid motor for me.

- mike

[Madmick]

Suzuki squeal DF175

Suzuki have just replaced the bearing, the bush as well as the shaft to try to rectify the noise. ( squeal after 20 -50 hrs ).
Unfortunately it wont be for another 50 or so hours until I know if the problem has been resolved.
Very frustrating as the engine is fine in every other aspect.
Perhaps a bit unlucky as I know others with the same engine who have no issues. Although they do not do the hours I do in the same time frame.

We will wait and see.

Touch wood ( thats for luck ) The engine now has over 250 hours ( 2yrs ) and no squeal.
It took a bit of stuffing around with the dealer. Eventually went to another dealer and got the suzuki rep involved. It appears that by replacing all of the above parts it seems to have fixed it for now. However the number of attempts to fix what I believe is a well known issue was extremely annoying and time wasting. Confidence in the engine shattered.The average person who does 25 hrs a year and only short hops will probably never have an issue. I believe this is what they were hoping for and replacing the bush or just lubing it was fine for 20hrs or so but not if you use your boat a lot.

[Madmick]

Suzuki squeal DF175

Hi All,

The engine is now almost at 300 hrs and guess what... The squeal is back again.
After a long run out and back again ( approx 1.5hours each way ) on a very hot day.
The symptoms are exactly the same as previous posts. Pulling up at the ramp after backing off to complete idle and it sounds llike a couple of mice battling it out. When I flushed the engine the noise was gone. However this is exactly how it starts and then only gets worse after that.
This to me sounds like a design flaw.
Engine is used mainly 95% of the time in salt water.

With all the work done on the engine so far where do you go from here ?

[steve74]

HI mick just started having the same symptoms in my 175 (2011 model) as you have been with the squeal. Have had a new bush put in and also the dealer tried some different grease one from Yamaha as some Yamaha"s have this problem and they have developed a grease that will fix the issue. But still the same ????

[Madmick]

HI mick just started having the same symptoms in my 175 (2011 model) as you have been with the squeal. Have had a new bush put in and also the dealer tried some different grease one from Yamaha as some Yamaha"s have this problem and they have developed a grease that will fix the issue. But still the same ????

I had the Suzuki rep out as the same symptoms have returned. This time they had one of the engineers involved. ( After a threat of legal action ).
They again replaced the bush. Used the special lube and also dropped the engine down another notch. Their theory being that the shaft is not being sufficiently immersed in water to keep it cool and wash off salt. Another thing I have been doing is putting a hose down the hole under the engine to flush any salt off the shaft. So far so good but I havent done as many trips this year as i have another boat that I have been using as well.

What seems to be a common pattern is engine used in salt water, especially on a hot day and after a long run on the plane and there is your stuffed bush.