4 Stroke Maintenance?

[Tacklebuster]

I have owned inboards most of my boating life. This is my first outboard that I have owned for my main power plant. I have an 05 Yamaha 150. Looks like an oil/filter change every 50 hours and lower unit oil change every year. This motor is fuel injected as well. Anything else that I need to keep an eye on or watch for? I got less than 30 hours on her now and other than the motor dying at an idle about every trip, she runs really smooth. How often do you need to swap out the plugs and how often would you want to change the after market fuel filter/water sep outside of the cowling?<br /><br />I also have a 04 8 hp High Thrust Yami. Man I love that trolling motor I see there is no oil filter so I imagine that a guy would want to change out the oil a couple three times a year hugh?

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

dieing at an idle?<br />every 100 hours is a good interval for the water separator. 4s plugs do seem to still look good at 100 hours but no one wants to row home over a $10 part.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

if its dying at idle its broke. get it fixed.<br />it needs corrective maint now. 50 hopurs is a bit drastic on the iol change but wont hurt anything. 4 stroke plugs normally last a lot longer than the inspection intravels. but I am like BenC. 4 plugs are not that expensive. follow the service guide closely.

 

[JB]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

The obvious solution is a Service Manual, Tacklebuster. It will tell you what to do, when, and how to do it.<br /><br />Far too early for an aftermarket manual to be available so you will need to go through your Yammy dealer.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[jmoser]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

Are you sure there is no oil filter on your kicker? Some of the smaller motors have a 'built in' screen filter that you can remove, clean with solvent, and replace. If you are looking for a spin-on canister filter you won't find it on the smaller 4 strokes. <br /><br />My '94 Yamaha 9.9 had this style internal screen filter.<br /><br />Read the owners manual closely, but the best maintanance you can do on ANY 4 stroke engine is to change the oil frequently. Many outboards are run at rated speed/load as opposed to cars that rarely reach maximum speed/load conditions.<br /><br />If you drove your car 50 hrs at full throttle that would be something close to 5000 miles; that is a long interval for full speed operation.<br /><br />If you run wide open a lot you may want to consider 30 hr intervals vs 50. Regardless of what the manual says you cannot hurt anything by changing the oil more frequently. You can even leave the filter for the scheduled change intervals, nothing wrong with mixing in fresh oil with the old stuff in the filter. [I use Fumoto drain valves on my vehicles - frequently just drop 1-2 quarts and top off with fresh.]<br /><br />I am assuming you do your own oil changes - if you are paying a marina or dealer then its your money and do what you want.

 

[JRJ]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

I second getting a Yamaha manual. Nice rig you have there I like the North Rivers and hear good things about the Yamaha 150's. Let us know how you like it as you get some time on it.

 

[Tacklebuster]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

Here is the problem I have with the idle. It won't die when it's at the shop. It does it about once in a 6 to 8 hour trip. It's never when it's cold or anything of that nature. I have had it in twice and both times they can not fix it because it won't die on them. I plan on doing quite a bit of offshore fishing this summer for Tuna and Halibut and the idea of something wrong with my main motor doesn't sit well. Any of you guys have any suggestions?<br /><br />It idles at the correct RPM's and seems to do it most when I am putting it into gear.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 4 Stroke Maintenance?

if it just does it going into gear check the shift switch and cable for misadjustments or correct switch. there is a position switch and a cut out switch. one or both may be suspect.<br />but like I say, its broke, fix it now before ya have a problem.