Yamaha Outboard Service Intervals Resources Information
Our Yamaha outboard service interval schedule is designed to help you efficiently run down the list of needed outboard engine maintenance tasks. We instruct you on what should be replaced and direct you to inspect critical outboard parts to ensure they are in good working order.
To assist with Yamaha outboard maintenance tasks, YamahaOutboardMaintenance.com provides convenient Yamaha Outboard Service Kits, Yamaha Outboard Oil Change Kits, and Yamaha Outboard Gear Lube Kits.
We also regularly release new, helpful resources like:
Yamaha Outboard Maintenance Schedule FAQs
How often should Yamaha outboard maintenance be performed if the engine is used more aggressively than “typical use?”
First, what is more, aggressive than “typical use?” Frequently utilizing your Yamaha outboard in a manner that results in long periods of wide-open throttle, extended periods of trolling, or if your boat is used as a towing vessel are good examples of running your Yamaha outboard in more aggressive manners. In these cases, your service intervals should be shorter.
How do you break in a new Yamaha outboard?
Many boaters have their own theories for how to break in a new outboard motor. Clearly defines the procedure in their owners’ manuals. The outboard engine must be operated under load, in the water with a prop installed and unrestrained. The following pattern should be used for the first 10 hours of the new Yamaha outboard operation.
- Hour 1 – run the motor at varying speeds up to 2000 rpm—approximately half throttle
- Hour 2 – while not accelerating to full throttle, accelerate aggressively enough to put the boat on plane. Once the boat is on plane, back off of the throttle, but keep the boat on plane
- Hours 3-10 - run your Yamaha outboard at varying speeds, but avoid running at wide-open throttle for more than 5 minutes at a time
- After 20 Hours of Operation - perform the 20-hour interval maintenance as directed in YamahaOutboardMaintenance.com’s service interval schedule.
Why is breaking in a new Yamaha outboard engine necessary?
During the manufacturing processes to build a new Yamaha outboard engine, microscopic peaks are created during the machining process and are sheared off. This shearing action creates the desired surface finish for proper piston ring to cylinder wall sealing while leaving microscopic valleys for oil retention. Yamaha’s directed break-in procedure is designed to properly load the engine creating the correct amount of powerhead temperature and combustion pressure to ensure the desired surface finish.
Which factors impact Yamaha Outboard engines’ longevity?
The following factors affect the lifespan and overall performance of your Yamaha outboard:
- Water Type (saltwater versus freshwater) - saltwater is much harder on engines than freshwater
- Frequency of operation - Yamaha outboards like to be run as frequently as possible
- Regular maintenance - regular maintenance and properly maintaining YamaLube fluids are critical.
- Using high-quality fuel - minimize the use of fuel containing ethanol as much as possible, and always use a high-quality fuel stabilizer like YamaLube Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner Plus.
- Proper winterization - always store your Yamaha outboard engine properly
- Follow proper new engine break-in procedures
How do you remove old oil from your Yamaha outboard?
Spent engine oil can be removed from the engine by extraction or via the oil pan drain screw plug. The extraction method requires using a vacuum extractor which is inserted down the dipstick tube and uses suction to pull the spent oil. This method tends to be very clean and is probably the most widely used among marine technicians. Or, the drain screw can be removed, and you can let gravity do the job. Be sure to have plenty of drain pan capacity as large engines can hold up to seven quarts of oil. We also recommend a petroleum sorbent pad to catch errant drips and keep your driveway or lawn clean.
In cold climates, you may have to start and warm the engine before draining the oil to thin it slightly. It is preferable to perform the engine oil change as the first part of the service if at all possible though, as the maximum amount of oil will be in the oil pan already from the engine sitting since its last use. This allows you to extract as much old, dirty oil as possible and minimize contamination of your fresh oil.
How do you grease points on a Yamaha outboard?
Make sure you have plenty of Yamalube marine grease loaded in your grease gun and hit all of the Zerk fittings. Saltwater boaters should note that salt can contaminate fittings, especially those near the steering tube, so replace them if they are too corroded to accept grease. Watch as you pump fresh grease into the fitting and see if old, dirty grease or water, or both, push out from the space. Ideally, these cavities are filled with clean grease all the time.
Lightly coat the tip of the trim rams with grease to reduce friction there as well.
Then, remove the cotter pin from the propeller and loosen the prop nut. With the nut loosened, remove the propeller and associated prop hardware to inspect the propeller shaft. Remove any fishing line that may be behind the prop and near the prop shaft oil seals, and make sure the seals are intact. Then, apply a fresh coating of grease to the propeller shaft before reinstalling the prop. Tighten and use a new cotter pin to complete the installation.
How often should you change the spark plugs on your Yamaha outboard?
How often you should replace your Yamaha outboard engine’s spark plugs is a question of active debate. Some boaters are adamant about changing their spark plugs every year or 100 hours. PartsVu recommends religiously inspecting your spark plugs annually or every 100 hours, replacing the spark plugs if they are fouled or damaged, and always replacing them every 300 hours.
The reality is, spark plugs are fairly inexpensive, and they contribute a great deal to a Yamaha outboard’s performance and longevity. We recommend erring on the side of more frequent replacement.
Why is using genuine Yamaha outboard oil change kits critically important?
Most importantly, never use automotive engine oil in your Yamaha outboard. The typical loads placed on your Yamaha outboard are much heavier than the load placed on your automobile. Your Yamaha outboard has to overcome a much greater amount of drag to create the performance. This means your outboard is working much harder than your automobile’s engine. Yamalube 4M and 2M marine engine oils contain specific anti-wear additives to account for this.
Also, your Yamaha outboard operates at a much higher RPM than your automobile’s engine. It must rev higher to create higher speeds, rather than just changing gears like your car. That means your outboard may run all day long at 4500-6000 RPM, rather than the 2500 RPM your car reaches highway speeds. That’s tough on your oil and can literally shear (or split) the molecules in ordinary automotive oil, reducing lubricity. Yamalube 4M and 2M outboard engine oils have special shear-stable polymers to combat this and provide superior lubrication at all times.
Also, outboard motors are cooled using raw water, which is often cool to very cold. On the other hand, saltwater will begin to crystallize if its temperature is raised above 170° F, potentially causing a blockage in the cooling passages and leading to engine overheating and possible damage. Because of these two factors, your outboard operates full-time at a temperature much lower than your automobile and requires very different qualities in its lubricating oil. Yamalube marine oils have detergents, dispersants, and viscosity index improvers to meet these marine-specific challenges.
Have more questions about the Yamaha outboard motor maintenance?
If you have further questions about the Yamaha outboard maintenance schedule, including specific Yamaha service intervals, don’t hesitate to contact us.
