Suzuki outboard using oil advice

Hey guys, got a 4hp Suzuki four stroke this spring (brand new). Did the break in procedure Exactly as the manual stated. Did the break in service at 20 hours like it called for also. Now the last 8-10 hours I’ve been noticing it’s using oil. Talking to some people they said maybe just isn’t fully broke in yet? I have 39 hours on it now and ran it hard today to make sure the rings were set. Got home checked the oil and it’s between the full and add mark ( was at full before I used it). I have the 5 year warranty on it so debating bringing it in but not sure what really to do. I should mention it’s used as a kicker but I try to open it up at the end of the trip each time I use it. And only used genuine Suzuki oil filters and there 10w40 oil.

Are you checking it right after shutting down or waiting 10 to 15 minutes??
If you are checking right away most likely all of oil suspended in the motor hasn’t migrated back to the reservoir yet.
You will be fine if it stays between add and full regularly.
If it continues to use oil below the add mark certainly take it back to your dealer.

Yes I wait a bit of time (half hour) before checking it. It’s never been below the add mark. Just maybe from full to 1/4 on the safe zone. Heard that when the rings aren’t fully seated using oil like this is normal.

Just keep an eye on it for now.
For some reason I have never been able to explain many motors I have seen over the years,gas, diesel, propane, autos, heavy equipment, even outboards will use oil to a certain level and never use another drop.
Yours may be one of them,the difference between add and full is what? A couple ounces??

Iowaboy1 wrote:

For some reason I have never been able to explain many motors I have seen over the years,gas, diesel, propane, autos, heavy equipment, even outboards will use oil to a certain level and never use another drop.

I have noticed this as well. Some machines just prefer not to be full for some reason, but they will only “consume” down to a certain level.

I have also seen some small engines that will not break in during the normal break-in period and well beyond that when using synthetic oil. This is not uncommon and in fact, new or overhauled light aircraft engines are usually broken in using straight mineral oil because, essentially, modern oils are just too good, they prevent the “wear” that is required to seat parts together.

To the OP, I would say do nothing and keep using the outboard. I’m fairly certain that you just haven’t worked it hard enough, long enough, to seat the rings and valves and a little oil is still being lost between the un-mated surfaces.

Check the oil at regular intervals or at the end of every use. If there really is something wrong, the outboard will continue to use oil below the mark you noted on the dipstick. If this happens, yes, then take it in.

The other thing you can do is give it the old Italian Tuneup. Take that baby out on a lake or river and run it HARD. WOT, turns, lots of hard acceleration from a standing start, really work that baby under a wide variety of throttle settings. 1-2 hours of this and I’d bet your problem would go away.