Brand New 2017 Yamaha F150XB Not Peeing From Water Tank

[2LittleFish]

Hello All, I have a question and just couldn't wait for the dealer to open tomorrow. I just recently repowered to a brand new 2017 Yamaha F150XB. I picked it up from the dealer yesterday. I went in, walked the boat, inspect the engine rigging and mounting, went over break-in procedure with sales guy and that's it. We did not do a start up test at the dealer. Today I finally got around to starting it up home to make sure all is well before heading off to the water this weekend for some crabbing and begin the break-in process.

First I hook-up dual sided earmuff, turn the water on, pump the primer bulb till stiff and start the motor. It started just fine and within maybe 15-20 second, i can see the water coming out the pee hole, but it was very weak. Thinking back to the mercury i replaced, that outboard pee hard and almost at a straight line. The F150XB on the other hand had a very weak pee. I let the motor idle for about 12 minutes and it did not change. I even engaged the throttle in neutral to give it a rev up to about 1700 RPM and still the pee is very weak. So then I proceed to fill my water tank made from one of those blue 50 gallon water barrel. I brought the water level up way pass the motor's water intake till it was spilling over the side, then started the motor. Again it started just fine, but no pee what so ever. I let it ran for about 40 seconds, then shut off the motor fearing i might cause damage. Puzzled, i sat there for a few minutes watching the water continue to spill over the blue water tank. I then gave it another try and still no water coming out of the pee hole. I can see water right where the water intake is but seems like no water was being sucked up. At that point i turned off the motor again and called it quit.

This is my first Yamaha outboard, so not sure how they work. Does anyone have any idea? Is it normal for the pee water to be this weak on earmuff? No pee water at all in the water tank?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

2LittleFish

 

[ClassicAQ]

Yamaha 4 strokes are known to not have a strong water stream from the tell tale. Certainly not nearly as strong as a Yam 2 stroke. So what you saw when engine was on muffs is normal. No water from tell tale when LU was submerged in bucket is probably because you cut the engine off (40secs) before water made its way through the block, rectifier/regulator, fuel cooler, etc, before exiting the TT. If you kept engine running you'd eventually see water exiting TT. So long as the LU is submerged and no high temp alarm has activated your safe to continue running engine.

Water pressure from your spigot will also effect the engines TT. If low pressure, expect very little water to exit TT. So long as the water pump is receiving a healthy amount of water to pump through the engine you should not be concerned of over heating the engine.

Side note about dealership personnel....most of whom you speak with are not marine mechanics, rather salespeople. So take what they say with a grain of salt. I recommend registering on the www.yamahaoutboardparts.com website. There are a number of yamaha marine mechanics who are members and will answer questions. You can also search through threads pertaining to your question and find more info than I've given. Good luck.

 

[2LittleFish]

ClassicAQ, thanks for the info. What I don't understand is why it would take a lot longer when the lower unit is submerged in the bucket vs using an earmuff? Is it the pressure from the water hose that makes the water go up faster through the water passage? Whereas in the bucket, the impeller has to work harder to suck up the water and create enough pressure to get water through the system?

I cut engine off after about 40 seconds with no water from the tell tale because all my reading prior to owning this outboard states that no water from the tell tale even for a short time can cause damage. I found on Yamaha's website stating the same thing. Please see http://yamahaoutboards.com/yamaha-advantage/news/boating-tips/boaters-log-vol-2-no-3
That page also explains the weak tell tale like you mentioned, but also it should get stronger as you rev up the rpm to fast idle, the tell tale stream should get stronger...not mine. I've only rev the motor up to around 1700 RPM so far as it hasn't gone through it's first hour of break-in. So I may need to go up higher to see that.

Just thinking back to my 2 stroke Mercury 125 HP, that motor spits water out with string stream winthing seconds of starting the motor whether on muffs or in the bucket. That's why when seeing what's going with the F150 concerns me.

Again, thanks for your reply and info.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

It's brand new...take it back to the Dealer.

 

[boscoe99]

As noted, Yam four strokes pee weakly compared to a Yam or Merc two stroke. In a four stroke pee water has to go through a fuel cooler and/or a rectifier/regulator cooler before exiting the motor. Pee water has nothing whatsoever to do with the motor being properly cooled however. Except for the fuel cooler or R/R cooler.

If the motor is being run in a bucket of water, the water level has to be well above the point where the lower unit attaches to the mid-section. Just covering the water inlets won't do it. The water pump needs to be submerged to do its job. The water pump is well above the level of the water intakes. Water pumps like to push water. A dry pump may not pull any water at all. In which case the impeller vanes can be damaged. They don't like to be running dry.

 

[2LittleFish]

Mohawkmtrs, I will take it back, but just wanted to get some feedback from others with knowledge of this motor. Just in case I did something wrong on my part. I will call them first to get their opinion...just waiting for them to open shop.

Biscoe99, take a look at the picture is the water level not high enough?

I called Yamaha his morning and discuss the issue and the tech states there should be tell tale with the bucket setup. He did not state how deep the mid section needs to be.

Thank you both for your input.

 

[2LittleFish]

Sorry can't seem to upload video...basically the water is up to the cavitation plate.

 

[ClassicAQ]

The water pump is mounted just above the level of the AV plate. So if you had the water level "up to the cavitation plate" then the water level is too low. It's safe to submerge the lower unit to just below the mid section exhaust. I can understand as a new Yam owner that you'd be concerned when not seeing water exiting the TT when the LU is submerged in a bucket.

You cited reading "no water from the tell tale even for a short time can cause damage". Yes, this is true. But this is primarily referring to the cessation of water exiting the TT after water had been observed exiting. It's not referring to seeing water exit upon initial startup. Because as previously mentioned, you won't immediately see water exit upon startup. Depending on engine temp, the method of flushing, and water pressure, will effect how long it takes to see water exit the TT upon startup. So you can rest assured that so long as the water pump is submerged or it's being fed a sufficient water supply via muff hose, the engine will not overheat as you wait to see water exit TT.

Comparing the strength and quickness of a 2 stroke TT and 4 stroke is apples and oranges. Completely different cooling setup. So don't compare what you've experienced with your 2 stroke to what you see with your new 4 stroke.

 

[2LittleFish]

Okay I now have TT in the bucket. First I called the shop after they opened and was told what you have mention...that it takes awhile see the TT and these motor. He told me to rev the motor up to around 1500-1700 RPM in neutral and see if that helps. Well I did not have to do that. His time around I raised the bucket 1.5". That was I able to raise it before the skeg bottom out. Filled the bucket with water and started the motor and within 10 seconds or so TT appeared and I am releaved. I guess Thanks that extra 1.5" in depth did the trick.

Thanks everyone for all your input and assurance that there was nothing wrong.

2LittleFish

 

[2LittleFish]

Here's a short video of the TT
https://youtu.be/A49sfavrwNE

 

[ClassicAQ]

Good to hear. After watching your video, I can see the water level in the bucket is just above the AV plate. Look at the LU schematic I previously posted to become familiar with the location of the water pump, as it relates to the level of water in the bucket. I'd suggest more water, or a deeper bucket to allow the water level to be well above the AV plate.