Yamaha 225 4Stroke Oil Consumption, What's Normal?

[Kamalot]

I've got a 2003 Yamaha F225, that gets a lot of use. It's been a real pleasure to operate. It currently has 380hrs and I change the oil every 50hrs and filter every 100hrs. Manual recommnend oil/filter every 100hrs.

It seems I need to add a quart of oil about every 20hrs of use. Does this seem normal or not? I replaced my Spark Plugs recently and the old ones seemed a bit dark to me, like it might be running rich! I'm going to take my old Plugs to my local mech this week and get his opinion on both issues.

Just thought I'd see if anyone might have an opinion or a solution (short of going to another mfg).

[fishingls]

Talk to a dealer. I am sure Yamaha has guide lines for acceptable oil use. Most engine manufacturers (automotive, heavy truck, off road, etc.) have engineering guide lines for oil use. These guide lines will vary by manufacturer and engine. In your case, if you assume it was a car, the oil use would fall within acceptable level of most engine manufacturers.

[1pump]

Seems a little excessive. We've got an F200 at work, but it's new and hasn't shown any oil consumption so far.

20 hrs in a car would be about 1000 miles on the highway (a lot less around town) and a quart every 1000 would be cause for concern. :eek: It's tough to compare a car with an outboard, but IMHO, Yamaha couldn't meet the EPA specs for emissions if their motors burned that much oil by design.

As far as Yamaha's allowable oil consumption, I'd take that with a grain of salt, i.e. Ford says a quart every 900 miles is okie-dokie. :bigshock: I don't think Yamaha would make a ludicrous statement like that, but ya never know.

[Tacklebuster]

I think you need to bring it in to have it looked at. If anything, it should actually make a little bit of oil. Is there any oil in the bottom of your cowling after a trip when you tilt it up?

A quart of oil missing every 20 hours is crazy. I usually only put enough oil in my motor after a change to make it read less that half way on the stick. After 50 hours, the oil level has actually raised a bit.

You got something going on that's not right :twocents:

[Kamalot]

I think you need to bring it in to have it looked at. If anything, it should actually make a little bit of oil. Is there any oil in the bottom of your cowling after a trip when you tilt it up?



TB, I agree something isn't right, but no I don't really have oil in the cowling bottom. When you mentioned your oil level raising, are you sure that isn't fuel getting past your rings into the case?

Will try to talk with Mechanic tomorrow and perhaps set up and appointment, but really don't want extended down time with derby's in the near future!

[snit]

I have a 150 Yami 4-sroke, with no missing or making oil (thank goodness!!) after 30 hrs since the last service.

I do know that my merc 9.9 kicker makes oil, but that's because I run it "cold" with the hot wash always running, so the engine runs cooler while turning low RPM's when trolling. I service it quicker than normal, and I'm not worried. If you're big motor is making oil there's trouble brewing, as generally the 150 isn't used for trolling (I know nothing about tuna though). I'd say rings or fuel injection is screwed up when making oil in that large of an engine.

BUT if my "almost NEW" big motor was "making or missing" oil I'd be VERY CONCERNED!!! A newer $10K+ engine shouldn't be doing that IMO.

[1pump]

A newer $10K+ engine shouldn't be doing that IMO.




More like $15K, which makes it hurt even more. :passout:

[Killertraylor]

My 04' F225 has 150+ hours on it and I've changed the oil 4 times - always right at the full mark every time, doesn't seem to burn any. I replace the plugs every 50 hours too, even though that's probably overkill.

[Tacklebuster]

The Yamaha 115 is known for it's "oil making". I know about half a dozen people with them and almost all have that issue.

As far as my 150 goes, it doesn't make oil all the time, and when it does, it's a very small amount. The Yamaha techs I have spoke with say to put just enough oil in your motor to where your stick shows it to be half way between full and add. All 4 stroke motors will make a bit of oil if they are not run hard. I was told to run the motor above 5000 RPM's and it wouldn't be an issue. Most of the time in the ocean 5000 RPM's is nothing more than a fantasy so if you do 3800 RPM's for hours on end, your motor will run cooler than normal letting a bit of gas get in. I have had two certified Yamaha techs tell me that so that is where I base my information on. I agree 100 percent with it just from my experience.

Back to the original question. Derby or no derby, If my 18,000 thousand dollar motor was burning a quart of oil every twenty hours, I would be taking back to get it fixed. Especially if it's still under warrenty. If it's under warrenty and you keep putting it off knowing there is a problem and something does happen, don't be surprised when they do not pay for it :twocents:

You also say that there is not really any oil in the bottom of the cowling. Is that any or not? You have drain holes in the bottom of your cowling that will let only a bit of oil stay in there and the only way to see that is to tilt your motor up with the cowling off to see if it pools up. If you have "any" oil pooling up, get it cleaned out. Next time you run it check it again, if you still have any oil that pools up, it is leaking.

The 04 150 I had leaked oil. The problem was never found where and why.

[Tanker Man]

Camalot
Make sure when checking your oil that you leave the dip stick out for 10-15 sec. before you stick it back in and read your level :ooo:..The dip stick seals so well that when your motor is running the oil level will drop because every thing is being oiled......Now when you shut the motor down and let it sit the oil will not go back up into the dip stick tube all the way because dip stick seals so tight it can't.....as soon as you remove the dip stick the oil will slowly raise because top of tube is open........Some of the Series 60 Detroit engines of 2003-2004 had the same problem and we had drivers alsway over filling them....
This might not be your problem but just what I have been noticing on my 225
Good fishing :food:
Bob

[Kamalot]

Ok found out what the problem was, from my local mechanic after he asking me a few questions!

1. Did this problem start only after I started Mooring my Boat? (answer YES)

2. Does your Motor Smoke when first being started for the day of use? (answer YES)

3. When you replaced your Spark Plugs was it the bottom Cylinders that had Black Residue on the Plugs? (answer YES)

Problem is that after running and if the motor is not Tilted at some point and left down Oil sits up against the Exhaust Valve guides on Baffels and leaks into the bottom cylinders. By Tilting the Motor the Oil will run off the Baffels and into the Crankcase!!!

I've followed the process twice now with No Smoking at Startup!!!

Thanks to all for your responses. :yay:

[1pump]

Wow.....the F200 we have at work sits in down position all the time. It's the same engine as a 225, so we might have the same problem eventually. Problem is, the boat is a little long for the boatwell and the lower unit will hit the overhead door if it's tilted.
Did the mechanic say how far it had to be tilted up?

[Kamalot]

Wow.....the F200 we have at work sits in down position all the time. It's the same engine as a 225, so we might have the same problem eventually. Problem is, the boat is a little long for the boatwell and the lower unit will hit the overhead door if it's tilted.
Did the mechanic say how far it had to be tilted up?



He didn't say just how far it had to be tilted, but I don't believe it needs to stay tilted. As long as after running the motor is on tilt long enough for the oil to run off the Baffels and down into the crankcase you should be able to lower back down and leave it!!! At least that's what I'm doing now and seems to be working. It's just like when a boat is trailered in the Tilt position, and then lowered for storage.