Suzuki outboard motors 1988 2003 repair manual., Page 28Get this manual
3-12 MAINTENANCE manual battery charger must be physically disconnected when the battery has come to full chargeIf not, the battery can be overcharged, and possibly failExcess charging current at the end of the charging cycle will heat the electrolyte, resulting in loss of water and active material, substantially reducing battery life As rule, on manual chargers, when the ammeter on the charger registers half the rated amperage of the charger, the battery is fully chargedThis can vary, and it is recommended to use hydrometer to accurately measure state of chargeREPLACING BATTERY CABLES
Battery cables don't go bad very often, but like anything else, they can wear outIf the cables on your boat are cracked, frayed or broken, they should be replacedWhen working on any electrical component, it is always good idea to disconnect the negative (-) battery cableThis will prevent potential damage to many sensitive electrical components Always replace the battery cables with one of the same length, or you will increase resistance and possibly cause hard startingCoat the battery posts with light film of dielectric grease, or battery terminal protectant spray once you've installed the new cablesIf you replace the cables one at time, you won't mix them up Any time you disconnect the battery cables, it is recommended that you disconnect the negative (-) battery cable firstThis will prevent you from accidentally grounding the positive (+) terminal when disconnecting it, thereby preventing damage to the electrical systemAutomatic battery chargers have an important advantage-they can be left connected (for instance, overnight) without the possibility of overcharging the batteryAutomatic chargers are equipped with sensing device to allow the battery charge to taper off to near zero as the battery becomes fully chargedWhen charging low or completely discharged battery, the meter will read close to full rated outputIf only partially discharged, the initial reading may be less than full rated output, as the charger responds to the condition of the batteryAs the battery continues to charge, the sensing device monitors the state of charge and reduces the charging rateAs the rate of charge tapers to zero amps, the charger will continue to supply-a few milliamps of current-just enough to maintain charged conditionBefore you disconnect the tablets), first turn the ignition to the OFF positionThis will prevent draw on the battery which could cause arcingWhen the battery cable(s) are reconnected (negative cable last), be sure to check all electrical accessories are all working correctlyproper tune-up is the key to long and trouble-free engine life, and the work can yield its own rewardsStudies have shown that properly tuned and maintained engine can achieve better fuel mileage than an out-of-tune engineAs conscientious boater, set aside Saturday morning, say once month, to check or replace items which could cause major problems laterKeep your own personal log to jot down which services you performed, how much the parts cost you, the date, and the number of hours on the engine at the timeKeep all receipts for such items as engine oil and filters, so that they may be referred to in case of related problems or to determine operating expensesAs do-it-yourselfer, these receipts are the only proof you have that the required maintenance was performedIn the event of warranty problem, these receipts will be invaluableThe efficiency, reliability, fuel economy and enjoyment available from engine performance are all directly dependent on having your outboard tuned properlyThe importance of performing service work in the proper sequence cannot be over emphasizedBefore making any adjustments, check the specifications, Never rely on memory when making critical adjustmentsBefore beginning to tune any engine, ensure the engine has satisfactory compressionAn engine with worn or broken piston rings, burned pistons, or scored cylinder walls, will not perform properly no matter how much time and expense is spent on the tune-upPoor compression must be corrected or the tune-up will not give the desired resultsA practical maintenance program that is followed throughout the year, is one of the best methods of ensuring the engine will give satisfactory performanceAs they say, you can spend little time now or lot of time laterThe extent of the engine tune-up is usually dependent on the time lapse since the last serviceA complete tune-up of the entire engine would entail almost all of the work outlined in this manualHowever, this is usually not necessary in most casesIn this section, logical sequence of tune-up steps will be presented in general termsIf additional information or detailed service work is required, refer to the section containing the appropriate instructionsEach year higher compression ratios are built into modern outboard engines and the electrical systems become more complexTherefore, the need for reliable, authoritative, and detailed instructions becomes more criticalThe information in this section will fulfill that requirementThe following list is suggested sequence of tasks to perform during tuneUPPerform compression check of each cylinderInspect the spark plugs to determine their conditionTest for adequate spark at the plugStart the engine in body of water and check the water flow through the engineCheck the gear oil in the lower unitCheck the carburetor adjustments and the need for an overhaul Check the fuel pump for adequate performance and deliveryMake general inspection of the ignition systemTest the starter motor and the solenoid, if so equippedCheck the internal wiringCheck the timing and synchronizationCylinder compression test results are extremely valuable indicators of internal engine conditionThe best marine mechanics automatically check an engine's compression as the first step in comprehensive tune-upObviously, it is useless to try to tune an engine with extremely low or erratic compression readings, since simple tune-up will not cure the problemThe pressure created in the combustion chamber may be measured with gauge that remains at the highest reading it measures during the action of one-way valveThis gauge is inserted into the spark plug holeA compression test will uncover many mechanical problems that can cause rough running or poor performanceIf the powerhead shows any indication of overheating, such as discolored or scorched paint, inspect the cylinders visually through the transfer ports for possible scoringIt is possible for cylinder with satisfactory compression to be scored slightlyAlso, check the water pumpA faulty water pump may cause the overheating conditionCHECKING COMPRESSION