2016 DF90A - Gun shy, convince me to buy

[Salish]

Long story short, I've just become another victim of the dreaded "Suzuki Corrosion Issue". I just found out this week that my well maintained 2006 DF90 had a big hole in the oil pan and corrosion in the engine holder after 10 years, exactly 1000 hours and 11 seasons in use. I even replaced the steel plug out for an aluminum plug 2 1/2 years ago to no avail. Bottom line, i would have to replace both the engine holder and oil pan and the cost to repair would be more than half as much as it would be to purchase a brand new 2016 DF90A. I've been convinced by many that it would not be wise to put that much money into a 10 year old motor with old technology.

I've done extensive research on the net and everything I hear about the motor is all good. The lightest in its class, newer technology,more speed, better fuel efficiency, rave reviews. Yet I'm asking myself why should I invest in an outboard motor company who would produce a motor with a well documented defect and then not stand by its product as numerous customers are suffering engine failures? Plus how do I know that some other issue won't pop up and bite me in the butt again? Obviously I'm a little gun shy.

I've been considering looking at and/or buying other brands, primarily the Yama F90 but would have to pay an additional $1-1.5k for control box and gauges. So can someone provide me a convincing argument that this new motor is that much better to put my mind at ease?

Peter

[Moonlighter]

Well, all i can say is that is have been on this forum since 2010, around the same time as the DF90A series came out.

We very, very rarely hear from anyone having issues with these 70/90A series motors on this forum. I fact I cant recall the last time anyone raised an issue.

I suppose you could look at it like this - your old 2006 was basically a first generation Suzuki 4 stroke. And even though those corrosion issues happened on some motors, there are still plenty going around without problems too.

The problematic engine holder on the DF90-140 engines was redesigned in the 2008/9 update. So that was gen 2. At the same time there was an elecronics upgrade too across o lot of the range.

And then the A series started to be progressively released in 2010 - effectively gen 3.

So basically the DF90A series is a third generation of their 4 strokes.

I know a few people here in Aus who have the 70 and 90A series which are the same blocks, and no-one has had any issues at all. So 5 years history to date on that model, without any systemic issues arising.

We would hear about it here on this forum if they were having issues! And, we are not. That is a fact.

And if there is one thing you can always say about the Japanese manufacturers, they are always striving to improve designs, materials and construction techniques. It is just part of their DNA.

I personally wouldnt hesitate.

As you said, their specifications stack up very positively against the competition, across the board.

[Salish]

Thank you Moonlighter. In the short time I've been monitoring this site, I've come to value your knowledge and expertise. What you state makes perfect sense to me. I'm just about to pull the trigger on a new DF90A but want to remove any doubts I may have. Your opinion helps to make my mind at ease about this choice.

If anyone else wants to chime in, feel free.

Peter

[Antares580]

Df90 - df100a

Hi. I had a DF90 from 2006 and aprox 150 hours on it. One problem with the engine was corrosion and hole in hydraulic tilt pump. There is one little zink in the lower part of the pump that must be changed once a year.
Now I have a DF100A from 2014 delivered with faulty ECM unit. This unit was changed by dealer for no cost. The engine have now 200 hours and is running smooth, silence and powerfull! However, it is the same hydraulic pump on tilt/trim and this little zink must be changed every season. Also important to check/change those internal zinks. One little thing; after use of engine let it run cold before stopping and let engine stand tilted down for 1 or 2 minutes after stopped to let the engine empty itself for seawater before tilting up. And finally; a Suzuki dealer and workshop near You is to prefer.

[Salish]

Thanks Antares for the advice. I'm going to be extra careful with this new motor in terms of sticking to the maintenance schedule and checking the internal anodes. Not to say that I didn't maintain the original motor because I did, religiously, but I'll pay special attention to the small details.

BTW, based on the comments in this site and well as thorough research on the net in other sites, I've decided to order and install a 2016 DF90A, with a little trepidation but confident that the improvements in technology in this 3rd generation of motors make it a reliable and good-performing engine. I'm impressed by the lightness of the motor and the reports of hole shot, power and performance. Time will tell but I feel good about my new purchase, albeit much earlier than anticipated.

Thanks again.