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New Suzuki owner question

E

egclassic

New member
Hello,
Just bought a used 2017 Avalon Pontoon with a DF60AV on the back. This is the 1st 4-stroke outboard I have owned.
I am currently making a list of things I want to do before hitting the water since I really don't know the history of the motor.
Water pump is first and foremost and already on the way. Oil looks "recently" changed, however I may go ahead and change it and the lower unit oil anyway.
My question is, do I really need to use the Suzuki oil for the motor? I do not have a Suzuki dealer near me so I would have to order it and the shipping costs are almost as much as the oil. Not trying to start an "oil thread" here, but what is the general consensus?
Thanks!
 
No you don’t need to use Suzuki engine oil. If your engine is under warranty then I would suggest you use Suzuki oil only because if your engine seizes up one less excuse why it seized up. I have been told that its best to use an oil that is formulated for outboards since they run colder than a car. I have no idea if thats true or not. For the lower unit I use Mercury lower unit oil, way cheaper than Suzuki’s lower unit oil. Check your owners manual for the recommended viscosity. Suzuki sells a maintenance kit that has everything you need for routine maintenance for around $115(Canadian $).

 
There for an outboard runs cooler.----In automotive applications the pressure cap at say 15 PSI raises the boiling point of the coolant.----Therefor an automotive engine can run hotter without local boiling in the system !
 
racerone said:
There for an outboard runs cooler.----In automotive applications the pressure cap at say 15 PSI raises the boiling point of the coolant.----Therefor an automotive engine can run hotter without local boiling in the system !
Click to expand...
Gotcha! Thanks
So as long as I use a marine rated oil, I should be fine?
 
These motors are EXPENSIVE.----Shop labor to repair / diagnose them is EXPENSIVE.----There really is no point in saving a few $$ on oil !
 
racerone said:
These motors are EXPENSIVE.----Shop labor to repair / diagnose them is EXPENSIVE.----There really is no point in saving a few $$ on oil !
Click to expand...
Well, it is more than a few $$, the shipping is costing about the same as the oil itself. I have no problem buying quality oils, I buy the good stuff for all my vehicles, however, I can source that locally. When shipping costs as much as what you're buying, you have to look elsewhere! No manufacturer can MAKE you buy their oil, so as long as another meets their specs, it should be fine. I've read where some guys are using auto oil, and I'm not wanting to do that.
 
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