Outboard Motor Life Expectancy???

[Innovator]

So i just finished winterizing my 2001 225HP Yamaha Outboard today on my 23' 1985 Seacraft. The hour gauge says 835 hrs. My question is what is the general life expectancy of an outboard of this class. I have heard anything from 1000-2000 hrs? I know there are a lot of variables but just want to get a ball park idea of what I may be looking at? Compression is good, regular maintenance has always been preformed.

[LuckyLady]

4-STROKE?

[Innovator]

2 Stroke

[LuckyLady]

2 Stroke

Depending on maintenance and oil used I have seen the 225 2 strokes with 1250 - 1850 hours on them before they start to lose compression.

There is no rhyme or reason to how long they last.

[Innovator]

Thanks Mary,

That is pretty much what I have heard any recommendations to keep them running longer? In the spring I will change the gear oil, water pump impeller, spark plugs, fuel filters etc.

Thanks

[LuckyLady]

Thanks Mary,

That is pretty much what I have heard any recommendations to keep them running longer? In the spring I will change the gear oil, water pump impeller, spark plugs, fuel filters etc.

Thanks

You want to change the gear oil in the fall. Reason for that is because god forbid you have a piece of fishing line behind the prop in the shaft seal and some water got in there. Leaving it in over the winter can cause all sorts of problems. Have the prop pulled, check for line, and grease the shaft.

If you have fuel water separators I would change them in the fall, and the in-line filters can be done in the fall or spring.

I would also recommend having the 02 sensors, cleaned, checked or replaced. They are a common problem and a maintenance item.

Generally with the water pump, we also do the thermostats and poppet valves.

Yamaha ring free isn't a bad idea.

Using the same 2-stroke oil consistently is recommend, along with Yamalube. I know its expensive but it makes a difference in the long run.

Last but not least you want to check your tilt and trim and your steering area. They are commonly overlooked and after many years of aging they start to deteriorate.

If you have a remote oil tank you want to check the o-ring (if applicable) to make sure that there is a proper seal and no water gets in to the tank.

Bottom Paint, Zincs and Tune ups in the spring after the fogging oil is blown out.

Never reuse zinc's even if there is some meat left on them. Being out of water after time, they lose effectiveness. For the price of zincs vs cost of lower it's well worth the couple extra bucks.

I think that covers it all

[SportFishStaff]

Great Tips Mary

[LuckyLady]

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...ml#post1778812

Some additional advice is you stumble across water in the gear oil..

[Jay W]

My 250 Verado just blew a fist sized hole in the bottom of the block at 320 hours. Regular maintenance done at distributor, very good care taken of it. Just out of the blue, POP. Of course only had the 3 year warranty, somebody forgot to sign up for the 5 year at purchase so lucky me. Now my 60 tiller 2 stroke has close to 800 hrs and still runs like a scalded dog. Go figure.

[captnemo]

what are people seeing with their Yamaha four strokes hour wise? I'm at 680 in three seasons and have only had a fuel pump go on one of them while offshore; came in on the other one; dealer said it was a fluke and warranty covered it.

Now I am just out of the warranty period; what kind of issues are people seeing with these motors getting close to 1000 hours?