small cover above both sides of lower unit on Yamaha 150 OX66

[deronw]

I have a 2000 yamaha 150 OX66 Saltwater Series. On the upper casing, on both the port and starboard side, there is a small (4" x 5") cover that is bolted on each side of the main assembly.

Wanting to know what part this actually was, I unscrewed and popped off one of the covers. The spring loading of the assembly almost made me drop the cover into the water. Anyway, the problem is that now, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get the darn thing back on. It appears I have to first push the bottom, "half moon" piece onto the fitting, and then push the top portion of the cover into place so that I can re-insert the screw. However, the plastic that the screw goes into is about 10 mm too tight for me to jam the cover back on.

Is there a secret to getting this cover back on? Also, what part is this covering? Some type of sensor?

Thanks so much.

 

[deronw]

Re: small cover above both sides of lower unit on Yamaha 150 OX66

Here's a photo to explain what I'm referring to...the cover I can't get back on is circled in yellow.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: small cover above both sides of lower unit on Yamaha 150 OX66

its the lower motor mount trim covers.
insert the fwd esge then push the aft edge inboard and install the screw.
you can leave them off until you pull the boat out of the water.

 

[deronw]

Re: small cover above both sides of lower unit on Yamaha 150 OX66

its the lower motor mount trim covers.
insert the fwd esge then push the aft edge inboard and install the screw.
you can leave them off until you pull the boat out of the water.

Thanks, Rodbolt. I figured that was the way I was supposed to install it, but it turns out the problem was simply I could not get enough leverage to do it while the boat was in the water. Since I keep my boat in the water full-time, I was getting a bit frustrated, but eventually moved the boat to a low-hanging edge of the dock and was able to get it. Appreciate the response.

Deron

 

[robert graham]

Re: small cover above both sides of lower unit on Yamaha 150 OX66

They're just covers for the motor mounts, probably mostly for looks, spring-loaded, so better wait until boat's out of water before you remove them to prevent losing those little springs and screws.

 

[deronw]

Re: small cover above both sides of lower unit on Yamaha 150 OX66

They're just covers for the motor mounts, probably mostly for looks, spring-loaded, so better wait until boat's out of water before you remove them to prevent losing those little springs and screws.

Thanks, Robert. You're exactly right about those springs and screws..tricky buggers! Problem is I keep the boat in the water full-time, but I finally got them back on today. I moved the boat to where I could stand on a low part of my dock and it was easy once I did that.

Deron