Suzuki 2.5 hp problem - Resolved :-)

[Scott_S]

Nope, that did not fix it. This motor has required 10-44 pulls for each cold dry start since it came out of the box. A cold dry start is when you try to start it after draining the carb (per the owner's manual) and waiting 3 weeks before you use it again.

The second reply above by Fred, to replace the fuel pump was correct! After 5 trips to the Suzuki shop and multiple correspondences with Suzuki, they failed to fix it. I finally gave up on the shop and ordered a fuel pump for $90 and fixed it myself. Now it starts with 3-5 pulls.

If you have a Suzuki 2.5 and cold dry starts are impossible, yet it starts easily for the second and third start, you may need a new fuel pump. My theory was the pump was strong enough to pump liquid, but not strong enough to suck air, which is required for the pump to prime itself as it sucks air, then liquid, up hill from the tank to the pump. The weak pump's inability to suck air made the cold dry start  difficult after three weeks because the pump would lose its prime in three weeks and have to suck air again. But replacing the fuel pump fixed it.

If you are considering buying a Suzuki, you might want to know mine was under warranty my first 4 trips to the shop and Suzuki failed to replace the fuel pump and failed to fix the problem. I asked for a refund after I spent $90 to fix it myself and no response from Suzuki. Seems they don't want to stand behind their product or their warranty.

I'm happy with the motor now that it starts and is now reliable.

Suzuki needs to work on their quality management and their customer service. If they had started the motor before shipping it to me, they would have realized the problem before it became my problem. If you buy one and need help...Good Luck with that.

Happy Sailing  :-)

[rogerschwake]

That brings up my question, if you run a 2 cycle engine dry are you running it out of oil also.

[kickingbug1]

 i would think that before you start it in the spring you could spray some oil in the spark plug hole and pull it though a few times then put the plug back in and start it

[Scott_S]

After 5 years with the new fuel pump, it appears it has failed again. It took me 20 pulls to start it this year. My theory is that I stored it on its side with the handle down. That's correct for transporting but not for winter storage. It was on its side for the winter. At the end of last season, I ran the gas out of the engine; Drained the carburetor bowl and emptied the gas tank.  While stored on its side, I think the last little bit of gas in the bottom of the tank flowed up to the fuel pump and gummed it up so it does not vacuum efficiently anymore. I ordered another fuel pump. This could explain why it took 40 pulls to start when it was new (I ordered it online and it was shipped to me) and why the original fuel pump would not vacuum sufficiently. My advise: You can transport it on its side, but store it up-right to protect the fuel pump.
I hope my mistake can save someone else a headache.
Happy Sailing,
Scott