200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

[tonynorie]

After running about 5 miles to the middle of Tampa Bay, stopping to fish and restarting the motor, it started putting out LOTS of bluish smoke....way too much - creating a smoke cloud behind the motor, with the smoke coming out of the hub and exhaust port. No alarms were sounding and the motor was running a little rough, probably because of extra oil (a guess). I shut it down and trolled in to the dock.

Once home I pulled the cowling and immediately saw that the on board oil tank - the one on the motor - was full to the top (normally it's between the low and high marks) and that there was some oil running down the outside of that oil tank.

Does anyone know what is going on, and why? Could it be that the float switch in the engine oil tank is malfunctioning, causing oil to keep pumping from the big tank located in the boat? And if that IS the case, could there be enough pressure to actually force excess oil into the cylinders when running?

I realize I may have to take it to a Yamaha mechanic but if it's a simple remedy - like replacing a float switch - I'd rather do it myself. Maybe this has happened to others that would share their experience.

Thanks for reading this -

Tony in Tampa

 

[cousinabe]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

sounds like the engine oil tank switch is faulty. overflow drains into the plastic intake cover... that explains all the smoke. oil entering the intake.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

if, after testing the float switch, you decide to replace it, and they do fail occasionally.
drian the engine oil tank BEFORE pulling the switch assy out.
retrive and REPLACE the screen to tank seal when reinstalling the assy.

 

[tonynorie]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

It sure sounds like you guys have hit the nail on the head! So tomorrow I'm going to test the switch and order and replace it if defective. But Rodbolt - please excuse my ignorance - I don't understand what you mean when you said "retrive and REPLACE the screen to tank seal when reinstalling the assy."

What and where is the screen to tank seal? Will I have to order it when I order the oil tank switch?

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Tony

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

little rubber gasket thing that CANNOT be reused that seals debris from entering the oil pump intake.
cost about 80 cents.
MUST be retrived or its possible when you reinstall the screen if its was stuck to the tank it can be pushed down the oil intake tube shutting off the oil to the engine oil pump.
bad things happen just after that.
the reason for draining the tank FIRST is you dont want any accumulated tank bottom debris to go down the pump intake line when the screen assy is withdrawn from the tank.
withe the engine tank full check for continuity between engine ground and the blue/white wire.
if its open switch is bad.

 

[tonynorie]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

Got it! And once again - thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to educate me on the way to fix it.

Tony

 

[tonynorie]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

This morning I disconnected the wiring coupling for the float switch, so as to test it as Rodbolt suggested. Of course the ignition key was on. What happened was that oil started being pumped into the tank with the coupling apart - that surprised me because I assumed it had to be together for the pump to run.

I did test the blue/white circuit and it wasn't open.

Could the problem be elsewhere, maybe the remote tank?

Thanks again -

Tony

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

do some forum searches on precision blend and how to test it. any v6 since 96 uses the same system.
at the remote tank, unplug the 4 wire connector and test continuity between the blue wire and ground, should be open with the remote tank full.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

This may help

http://www.bwbmag.com/output.cfm?id=942859

 

[tonynorie]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

This morning I found more info in the Seloc manual that pertains to overflowing main oil tanks. Similar information was contained in the article that Seahorse5 sent, following:

"Leaving the key on by mistake can also cause overflow problems. As the battery run drops below 9.5 volts, the oil-controller electronics go off line, and a ground path is formed which starts the electric pump turning very slowly. Eventually, the main oil tank overfills and spews excess oil out a vent tube into the air silencer box. "

In light of the fact that after charging my batteries yesterday, I ran the motor this morning and the oil tank wasn't over filling, I think the mystery is solved. Man did that motor smoke! Even after removing and draining about a cup of oil from the air silencer box, it still poured smoke for about 15 minutes and for the first few minutes raw oil was coming from the prop exhaust.

Thanks to all who lent their valuable advice.

 

[tonynorie]

Re: 200 HPDI burning way too much oil suddenly

OK, some of my friends and I have been having a discussion today about why the heck Yamaha decided to run the overflow tube from the onboard oil tank to the air silencer box. None of us could make any sense of it so I'd like to get opinions from some of you more savvy and experienced engine guys as to your ideas on the matter. Any opinions?????