Suzuki DF8 - Brand New - Valve Cover Cracked

[maillme]

Hi All,

So, a few weeks ago I took delivery of my nice new sloep with Suzuki DF8 remote steered engine, drove it home (to the canal near my house) - and oil was everywhere.

On investigation, the cover that covers the valves (forgive my lack of tech here) was cracked - uniformly all round.

My boat shop took it back the following day, and are currently rebuilding this part of the engine with a new cover.

They say there was no cause of this, but simply it was delivered like this from the factory.

Has anyone had any similar problems or known this to happen? The mechanic from the shop seemed to be as surprised as I was!

thanks,
Neil

 

[VicS]

Hi All,

So, a few weeks ago I took delivery of my nice new sloep with Suzuki DF8 remote steered engine, drove it home (to the canal near my house) - and oil was everywhere.

On investigation, the cover that covers the valves (forgive my lack of tech here) was cracked - uniformly all round.

My boat shop took it back the following day, and are currently rebuilding this part of the engine with a new cover.

They say there was no cause of this, but simply it was delivered like this from the factory.

Has anyone had any similar problems or known this to happen? The mechanic from the shop seemed to be as surprised as I was!

thanks,
Neil

Not cheap part! I hope that does not happen again.

 

[Jim@sea]

On a new engine. I would have rejected it and asked for another new one.

 

[vas]

Hi All,

So, a few weeks ago I took delivery of my nice new sloep with Suzuki DF8 remote steered engine, drove it home (to the canal near my house) - and oil was everywhere.

On investigation, the cover that covers the valves (forgive my lack of tech here) was cracked - uniformly all round.

My boat shop took it back the following day, and are currently rebuilding this part of the engine with a new cover.

They say there was no cause of this, but simply it was delivered like this from the factory.

Has anyone had any similar problems or known this to happen? The mechanic from the shop seemed to be as surprised as I was!

thanks,
Neil

a Friday engine/engine cover cast maybe?
I thought this is a european thing, didn't realise that Japanese are following us in this respect

Since that's really DOA, I'd ask for a new engine!
if you fail on that, I'd definitely start driving around clocking up the hours very quickly making sure nothing else fails

good luck and as is always the case in this forum you need to post pics!

V.

 

[maillme]

I did suggest new engine, and thought this was what they were going to do.....then they said they would just replace the cover.

Not only that, I've been waiting 2 weeks for the replacement part and delivery of my boat back......

Not exactly over the moon, but to be honest, I've not had great service from them, and since I am a) new to boating b) foreign, they rip the piss right out of me - and its difficult for me to challenge.........

 

[Solitaire]

I did suggest new engine, and thought this was what they were going to do.....then they said they would just replace the cover.

Not only that, I've been waiting 2 weeks for the replacement part and delivery of my boat back......

Not exactly over the moon, but to be honest, I've not had great service from them, and since I am a) new to boating b) foreign, they rip the piss right out of me - and its difficult for me to challenge.........

I suggest you contact Suzuki direct. My experience of Suzuki in such matters is one of outstanding service. If the engine is brand new, then Suzuki would want to know why it failed. I would not except a repair.

 

[VicS]

I suggest you contact Suzuki direct. My experience of Suzuki in such matters is one of outstanding service. If the engine is brand new, then Suzuki would want to know why it failed. I would not except a repair.

Except ??

You'd not expect a repair , or you'd not accept a repair ?

I'd expect the dealer to offer to replace the broken cover.

Personally I would also accept that however I think under consumer law you may not have to. I believe you are entitled to ask for a refund .. no more no less.

 

[maillme]

Yea, I am pretty sure I could ask for a refund - but I'd still like the boat. He did offer the best price, and was quote open/honest about it.

The dealer came and took the boat out the canal within 12 hours of me reporting it broken, and were very helpful.

However they said they are rebuilding the engine when the new part arrives, rather than replacing - which I was a bit surprised about. When the mechanic came, his attitude was "Not our problem, Suzuki's problem - you will get new Engine" - however, the boss obviously decided different.

I'll maybe give a call to suzuki. The dealer seemed to think it was broken when it was manufactured.


thanks again,
Neil

 

[Bru]

I'd be very surprised if it was broken when the engine was manufactured since the engine would have had to be run when it was commissioned which is a job done by the dealer who sells the engine

Our brand new DF6 was commissioned and tested by the dealer (Seamark Nunn) before we arrived to collect it and then put back in the test tank and run up while we were there to demonstrate everything was in working order

Cracked cover sounds like either the engine was dropped or something was dropped on the engine whilst it was off the boat (in the dealers workshop perhaps?)

 

[yabba]

cracked

A cracked cover is nothing more than that, a cracked cover. If they replace it with a new one , there is no need to replace the entire engine. The cover is only there to keep the oil that's being splashed on the camshaft(s) from getting out and dust and dirt and moisture from getting in. one important thing to know is, was there enough oil left in the engine when you discovered this? Did you check the oil level when you discovered the oil loss? If the engine has been running with no oil, that would be something different.
If it was just the cracked cover and the remaining oil was sufficient, a new cover , a top up on the oil and a thorough clean of the engine-chamber will do the trick.
I also think something was dropped onto the head, or even a mechanic stepped a bit too carelessley onto the head after install, its all possible. It's just a shell.

 

[maillme]

Brigantia, that was what I thought.

The dealer blaming "Japan" seemed a bit too unrealistic for me - but it's one of these things we will never know.

With regards to the oil level, the oil level was within limits right up until the point I parked boat over night. The following day the dealer asked me to drive the boat back to where he delivered (about an hour), but when i checked the oil level and it was below the minimum and the throttle control was beeping - he advised me not to move it or use it - and that's when they came and picked it up out the canal.

If im being honest, I don't get the impression they commissioned the engine as such, because when they delivered it to me they started the engine there and then and let it run for a good 10 minutes to make sure it was all running ok. (maybe if we checked under the cover at this point we would have noticed it).

Certain aspects i'm happy about with the dealer. E.g. quick service, emails, telephone, picking boat up etc - the mechanic is great, a very can-do attitude. E.g. boat was in the canal, just drove trailer down the grass and winched it out - had never did it before but didn't hesitate to help.

But then they know I am a bit of a newbie and rip the piss somewhat (E.g. I've asked him to fit a course-keeper whilst they have the boat, and on top of the cost they are charging me for fitting) - this seems a bit cheeky to me, given the situation.....and I know I could fit myself no problem, IF i had a dry dock / trailer. In Amsterdam it is very usual to have a boat and not a car/trailer.

Anyway, for amusement I thought I'd attach picture of my boat being taken away from me - I was a boat owner, for all of about 24 hours

On the plus side, when I took delivery of the boat the canopy wasn't in stock yet - so this should now be fitted when i receive t back again.

thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate your help and support, this forum has been fantastic.

Neil

 

[burgundyben]

There's no such thing in current engineering as a 'Friday afternoon engine', process control, from the mining of ore or the recycling plant, the tool maker, the foundry, the machine shop, the assembly plant, the quality assurance and the testing that would allow that to happen. There is no such thing as general shodyness throught out that process.

That casting is broken and there is a very specific root cause.

 

[maillme]

I thought i'd provide a quick update.

I called the distributor for Suzuki Engines in the Netherlands (maybe Europe?) to ask their advice, as I have not had much communication from my dealer.

It turns out they were fully aware of my engine and actually have the old part at their premises - they were just as shocked as the boat shop was. They think that it has indeed left the factory like this.

The delay is relating to the availability of the new part.

Neil

p.s. gutted i still don't have my first boat