Yamaha quality or lack of

[backdraft]

Been doing the 10 hour service on my 60hp 2005 Yamaha 4 stroke. Noticed when I changed the oil, bits of debris in the oil. I decided to change the oil filer as well. When examining the oil filter I noticed the interior thru the hole was deteriorating. I cut the filter apart and the quality of this filter is abysmal. The filtering agent looks like sawdust or corn pulp glued together. It was disintegrating on the inside and going through the motor. Before taking the filter off, I found that the anti drainback valve was not working. A dry start on the engine each time when it was cold. After tearing it apart, I could tell why. The valve is constructed of a vinyl or rubber material that doesn't seat well at all . There is no backup spring to keep tension on it and hold the oil in the can. After some research , I found a Napa Gold filter with all the features needed. It holds the can full and doesn't drain back after 2 days and counting. This Yamaha filter is about par for this Yamaha motor. Not good. nevjb

 

[swist]

Re: Yamaha quality or lack of

You gotta go with statistics - Yamaha outboards are in general pretty well regarded in most polls (J D Power etc).<br /><br />Having said that, it doesn't mean that there isn't any brain-damaged design in certain places on certain models. <br /><br />What I have noticed over the years of being a Yamaha owner is maybe a certain amount of inconsistency - In an $11K engine, just about everything is high quality, put together right. But then you find things like electrical tape used to wrap wire bundles (lasts about 2 years) and really mickey mouse cable and hose clamping arrangements. But it always seems that where corners are cut, it's in some place that doesn't matter all that much. <br /><br />The biggest issue I have had is components that corrode and can't be replaced without taking the whole engine apart (shift shaft, steering arm). Yes these motors run in a harsh environment and Yamaha can be excused for not making these parts out of platinum/titanium, no one wants to pay $100K for an outboard - but at least let us replace the stuff that's going to wear out without going through a major diassembly.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Yamaha quality or lack of

Its just jap junk--remember PEARL HARBOR and the boys that died there.