Make it Last
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
Re: Make it Last
Ron: Since you're in Florida, you can boat essentially 12 months out of the year. Just keep on running the motor all year--since winterizing it is a waste of time in your area.
My Yamaha 115 hp two stroke is a 1985 model. My only problem has been dirty carbs (jets and needle valves)--probably due to using old gas or having trash in the fuel tank. I did change the water pump impeller and the fuel filter about 10 years ago. (I do always watch for the stream of water shooting out of the engine, however.) I only use Walmart brand outboard motor oil--and have not had any oiling issues. It still runs like new, and accelerates like a banshee on my 24' Starcraft.
I seriously suggest:
1. Keeping a watch on the gas tanks used in transporting fuel. Only use good, clean tanks.
2. Flush your engine after using it in salt water.
3. Change your fuel filter and water pump impeller every other year.
4. Top off the lower end gear oil yearly, and change it every other year.
5. Always carry a spare fuel line in your boat.
6. Always carry a backup fuel tank with good, clean fuel.
7. If you're not going to use the boat for 2 mos. or longer--fog the engine and/or run the gas out of the carbs.
8. Oh, don't forget to keep your oil tank completely full.
Maybe your engine will last longer than the 25 years mine has been running.
____________________
85 Starcraft 24' with Yamaha 115 hp two stroke
90 SeaDoo
2010 Yamaha VX Cruiser
My Yamaha 115 hp two stroke is a 1985 model. My only problem has been dirty carbs (jets and needle valves)--probably due to using old gas or having trash in the fuel tank. I did change the water pump impeller and the fuel filter about 10 years ago. (I do always watch for the stream of water shooting out of the engine, however.) I only use Walmart brand outboard motor oil--and have not had any oiling issues. It still runs like new, and accelerates like a banshee on my 24' Starcraft.
I seriously suggest:
1. Keeping a watch on the gas tanks used in transporting fuel. Only use good, clean tanks.
2. Flush your engine after using it in salt water.
3. Change your fuel filter and water pump impeller every other year.
4. Top off the lower end gear oil yearly, and change it every other year.
5. Always carry a spare fuel line in your boat.
6. Always carry a backup fuel tank with good, clean fuel.
7. If you're not going to use the boat for 2 mos. or longer--fog the engine and/or run the gas out of the carbs.
8. Oh, don't forget to keep your oil tank completely full.
Maybe your engine will last longer than the 25 years mine has been running.
____________________
85 Starcraft 24' with Yamaha 115 hp two stroke
90 SeaDoo
2010 Yamaha VX Cruiser
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Make it Last
Thanks for the tips. Good to hear your motor has lasted so long.
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
Re: Make it Last
The best thing you can do is to use it regularly. So use that as an excuse to go out more often. 

- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Make it Last
Yeah, I always tell my wife this if it has been a couple weeks since we have gone out. "Just trying to save us some money, honey."jrolin1 wrote:The best thing you can do is to use it regularly. So use that as an excuse to go out more often.
I'm pretty inexperienced in outboard maintenance. By inexperienced I mean that I have never done any maintenance on them. One problem I have is that my boat is in a wetslip, and I don't have a trailer to pull it out. So anything I do would have to be done while the boat is in the water. This pretty much eliminates me doing any lower unit work...ie...oil change. I can access the main engine block though. Is anything accessible this way?margaritaman wrote:Not sure if you like to turn a wrench but most of the maintenance items on an outboard are pretty easy
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
Re: Make it Last
The first time I did a lower unit job my boat was in the water. I have a jon boat tho. I was able to tilt the motor all the way up, slide the jon boat under it, take out the bolts and drop it into the jon boat. I took it inside, did the water pump, oil etc and put it back on.
The only trick was getting everything lined back up, bouncing around in a jon boat. I also had to get my wife to stand in the bow so I could clear the drive shaft. Two people would have worked better.
One good thing about the jon boat, when you drop something, it lands in the jon boat, not in the drink.
You can still do things like plugs carbs and such from the boat, just don't drop anything.
It is not a bad idea to tie a string around your wrenches with a wrist loop.
A big magnet on a rope can also be handy for the stuff you drop
The only trick was getting everything lined back up, bouncing around in a jon boat. I also had to get my wife to stand in the bow so I could clear the drive shaft. Two people would have worked better.
One good thing about the jon boat, when you drop something, it lands in the jon boat, not in the drink.
You can still do things like plugs carbs and such from the boat, just don't drop anything.
It is not a bad idea to tie a string around your wrenches with a wrist loop.
A big magnet on a rope can also be handy for the stuff you drop
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Make it Last
I recently performed my 1st outboard repair/maintenance. I changed out my fuel filter and leaky o-ring. I noticed fuel dripping out into the water and thanks to you guys I was able to diagnose and fix the problem for under $12.
I'm getting a little more confidence working with the motor.
Next on my list is to change the fuel/water seperator filter and maybe put on new fuel lines. New spark plugs can't hurt either. Changing out the water pump (impeller) might me tricky for me to do since my boat is in the water. I might need to head over to the marina to have them do this.
Is there a way to check the lower unit oil with the boat at the dock?

I'm getting a little more confidence working with the motor.
Next on my list is to change the fuel/water seperator filter and maybe put on new fuel lines. New spark plugs can't hurt either. Changing out the water pump (impeller) might me tricky for me to do since my boat is in the water. I might need to head over to the marina to have them do this.
Is there a way to check the lower unit oil with the boat at the dock?

-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
Re: Make it Last
Not really. The plugs are below the water level when it is in the water tilted down and they are submerged in oil when it is tilted up, even if the level is low. You could get a little sample out to look for water but don't know of a way to add oil in the water.
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
Re: Make it Last
2 stroke motors are awesome as long as you use them regularly. The 2 stroke oil lubes everything including fuel lines, carbs, crank, pistons, rings and exhaust in addition to keeping the rust away. Let em sit and your screwed because that same oil that lubes will clog, coagulate and cause problems if allowed to sit. Just change your lower unit oil, fuel filter, plugs and keep running it and you'll continue to have many more years of good use. Plus, IT'S A YAMAHA.
2007, 2570 Crest LE II
Yamaha F150
Yamaha F150
Re: Make it Last
Greg,GregF wrote:There is really no big trick to the timing belt but you need (clipped) following the directions in the book ..... (after I had it turned it to match the book pictures of the mark alignment)
What book?
Kenneth & Joy
Lake Conroe, Texas
2007 Bennington 2577RFSi
2006 Yamaha F225
Solas 14.25x17SS prop
Best ever top speed 69.2KPH
Lake Conroe, Texas
2007 Bennington 2577RFSi
2006 Yamaha F225
Solas 14.25x17SS prop
Best ever top speed 69.2KPH
Re: Make it Last
Drago wrote:Greg,GregF wrote:There is really no big trick to the timing belt but you need (clipped) following the directions in the book ..... (after I had it turned it to match the book pictures of the mark alignment)
What book?
shop manual
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha