problems in my DF 175

[Pioneer]

Hi everybody,

I have a new DF 175 with less then 20 hours, and last time I went fishing, I
listened a strange noise when I put it in forward, its not a big noise but looks like a metallic sound, anything that seems to rub against another while it seems a slight whistle or a squeak, when I go up the rotation from 1000 rpm and when decelerating to low rotation or neutral sound ends slowly, the same happens when I go up to high rotation.
Can you please help me on this matter.

Thanks a lot

Ricardo

On the squeal that everyone is talking about, is this the water pump shaft that is getting salt on it and being cleaned, replaced or whatever to stop it for some period of time?

[dusky25]

DF 175 Squealing sound

Did anyone ever find a permanent resolution to the squealing problem. Mine has been taken apart and "fixed", but almost 5 years later it still exactly the same.

[Madmick]

Sorry for the long delay but I haven't been on for a while. Steve you can get me on 0419577000....

[steve74]

HI Madmick any chance of you sms your phone number to me as it is a bit easier than asking question on the computer. thanks steven 0418364490

[Harper]

The DF175 and DF150 are exactly the same, except for the power head....which makes me wonder a bit about my DF150, even though no DF150 owners have come forward with this problem. Mine is run 100% salt water, warm salt water, at that.

I am curious, though, that the parts diagrams show the bushing is only used in the X models, and not the L models, which have the shorter driveshaft. I'm just wondering what would happen if the bushing were removed entirely, if that extra 5 inches would cause some "whipping" or flexing of the shaft, or would it still turn straight and true? Just a thought of mine.

In any case, I sure do intend to have a look at my drive shaft and consider replacing the bushing (or maybe leaving it out) with my next water pump service.

[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.

[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]

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 ?

[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.

[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

[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.

[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....

[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.

[dusky25]

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

[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.