My Carolina Skiff has a Suzuki 200hp outboard. It is the first 4 stroke I’ve ever owned. I loved the motor from the begining. It’s super quite, starts easily like a car. It doesn’t smoke much at all.
As far as the gas mileage, when I first got the engine it seemed to burn about the same as my previous 150hp power 2 stroke. I thought that was OK considering all the other benefits of the motor.
The engine now has about 250 hours. I can’t help but noticing it now burns about 25-30% less fuel then when I first got it. I know that sounds crazy. I don’t have actual gallons per hour numbers but it is a obvious difference since new. It’s a very nice suprise.
that motor should burn about 1/2 of a carbed 2 stroke, so 40% of your 150 should be about righht
if it wasnt getting that same fuel burn when new, you had an issue somewhere.
I’ve had the boat up to like 48mph. Of course thats only in a short burst with the throttle on the dash. I usally cruise at about 25mph at 3000rpm. The boat drafts 1.8ft of water.
Thanks Chris V. I’ll keep my eye on the fuel consumption.
Your getting better fuel economy now, because the motor is broken in. When a motor is brand new, the tolerances are very tight, which causes more friction between parts. Now that has been broken in, the oil flows between the parts better so it turns a lot easier. Hence, it doesn’t take as much power or fuel burn to make it turn! Have you ever heard about needing to wear-in a set of main bearings or piston rings! Basiclly, the parts have worn off all the high points and conform to the other parts, lots better.
easy
the new 4 stroke motors do need to me broken in, but its a 10 hour run time breakin
not 250hrs
durring the 10 hour, you are running at varying rpms, so you cant get an accurate fuel consumption rate.
even durring the breakin, it wouldnt be a 30% difference
Chris V is correct. Modern engines require little or no break in. This is do changes in design (such as machining the part profile to replicate a post “broken in” profile) and coatings/microfinishing of the moving surfaces. Manufacturers still like to have owners go through a break in period just in case a tolerance is a little off. Running at various speeds and not at full power will allow any areas to wear in.
The difference in internal friction is also very little. This can be measured by looking at freshly built or “green” horsepower compared to mature HP after the engine has some time on it. I have seen about a 1% increase when matured. This obviously would never add up to a noticiable increase in economy.
Chris V; What would explain it? The motor didn’t fix it’s self? Chris V , not trying to be a wiseazz, just trying to understand the increase!It’s great that it happened, but why?
Thanks for the input guys. I didn’t start with any hard data on the fuel burn so this is more of an observation. I am very pleased with the economy and I am sure of that.
