Vmax sits, puff of smoke on cold start..

[Joe20Toon]

Should have put in title of post, 4 stroke...
And, pretty sure, there's a gas smell on dipstick.

Bought as new in 2016...paper work - 2015.

After about a month and a half, cranked outboard, started quick
as usual, then puff of smoke.

No smoke next day on cold start.
This is my first 4 stroke outboard.
And yes, I'm used to outboard 2 strokes...

Help on advice... I don't think this is normal...
Told shop on 100 hour service to NOT fill oil to top of dipstick.
I trusted them and didn't check oil level until later on and it I seemed just below max level.

Now, it's at max... Got pics and video of cold start...

Thanks for advice...

Feeling a bit down now.
And, on vacation..

_____

[CJ1]

Are you trimming up or leaving it trimmed down when it is off?

[Joe20Toon]

Are you trimming up or leaving it trimmed down when it is off?

It's trimmed down, level on the dock lifted out of the water.

[jethro1]

Not unheard of in four stroke models. Try tilting the motor up about 20 degrees or so when it is not being used for a period of time. Here is what Yamaha has to say:

[Joe20Toon]

Not unheard of in four stroke models. Try tilting the motor up about 20 degrees or so when it is not being used for a period of time. Here is what Yamaha has to

I hoped it would be a 'tilt issue.'

Dipstick has a gas smell.

Should I bring it to another dealer to verify the issue or, back to the dealer that performed the 100 hour service?
Meaning, have another dealer verify the issue...?

[jethro1]

The engine smoking at start up and the smell of gasoline in the oil are two different issues. The first you can try to eliminate by trimming the motor up when you stop using it. See if the smoke goes away.

The smell of gasoline might mean that the motor is "making oil". Not really making it but the oil may be getting diluted with gasoline due to the rings not being sufficiently seated, which causes the oil level to rise. Motor is probably not fully broken in yet.

Drain the oil and then add only enough to bring the oil level to the middle of the dipstick low-high range. Run the motor to circulate the new oil within the motor. Tilt the motor up for 15 minutes. Trim the motor back to the vertical position. Pull the dipstick and ignore the reading. Clean the dipstick and reinsert it. Pull the dipstick and note the oil level. Hopefully it is in the middle of the range. Be careful to make an accurate measurement. Maybe smell the oil so you know what undiluted Yamalube oil smells like.

Now go and run the hell out of the motor for a few hours. Or more. Stop the motor. Tilt it up for maybe 15 minutes. Trim the motor back to the vertical position. Pull the dipstick and ignore the reading. Clean the dipstick and reinsert it. Pull the dipstick and note the oil level. Ideally it will be where it was when you first checked it. Smell it. Does it smell gassy or like it was when new?

How many hours on the motor by the way and what is the usage pattern? Do you idle around looking for fish on structure or are you a balls to the walls all of the time sort of a guy?

[Joe20Toon]

The smell of gasoline might mean that the motor is "making oil". Not really making it but the oil may be getting diluted with gasoline due to the rings not being sufficiently seated, which causes the oil level to rise. Motor is probably not fully broken in yet.

The motor has less than 160 hours on it.
50 initial service and 100 hour service was done.

[CJ1]

It's trimmed down, level on the dock lifted out of the water.

Jethro hit it. tilt it up a bit so the oil drains back to sump. The problem could be worse as the oil gets diluted by fuel. Have you been idling around a lot, or a bunch of short runs? CJ

[Joe20Toon]

It's in the shop.

Mechanic said it's most likely a bad 'low pressure fuel pump.'
Says gas is getting into the oil from the bad fuel pump.

While I thought gas was getting by thru the piston rings, he seems certain it's the fuel pump.
Also, the mechanic said I caught the problem in time as he has "smelt" worse dipsticks when it comes to gas in the oil
and the oil level wasn't too high. It was up there...



I'll update this issue for those that may be interested.



Has anyone else heard of the fuel pump causing this problem?

[Rich Z]

Please be more specific of what model motor you have. Most new 4stk motors have an electric lift pump so I don't see how a fuel pump can cause the problem you described.

[Joe20Toon]

Please be more specific of what model motor you have. Most new 4stk motors have an electric lift pump so I don't see how a fuel pump can cause the problem you described.

2015 Vmax 115 ...

[Joe20Toon]

Please be more specific of what model motor you have. Most new 4stk motors have an electric lift pump so I don't see how a fuel pump can cause the problem you described.

I reread my first post on the topic. Maybe not quite to the point...

To the point, there's gas in the oil.
"Making oil" is the dreaded issue.

The Vmax is still under warrantee. It was 'broken in' properly.

I trim the motor 'level' when leaving it at the dock.
Boat is kept in a canal off the main chain of lakes.
I don't consider this excessive idling, when heading in...
Fifty hour and one hundred hour services completed with oil below full mark on dipsitck.

[Joe20Toon]

They replaced the fuel pump and so far, the oil is holding at the same level - not "making oil."
I haven't ran it that much since then and will keep a constant check on the level.

[Midnight Rider]

Sounds to me like the rings are not yet seated. Assuming you are running a Yamaha Vmax SHO motor, you need to run the crap out of it...Wide open throttle for 20-30 minutes, or longer, at the maximum rpm. Get the motor up to full operating temperature for as long as you can, and the rings will seat.

[Joe20Toon]

Sounds to me like the rings are not yet seated. Assuming you are running a Yamaha Vmax SHO motor, you need to run the crap out of it...Wide open throttle for 20-30 minutes, or longer, at the maximum rpm. Get the motor up to full operating temperature for as long as you can, and the rings will seat.

I have about 160 hours on it. Not sure I have had it wide open for 30 minutes...

[Joe20Toon]

Thanks all for the replies!


___________

[Joe20Toon]

It's July 5, and no more "making oil" since November 14, 2017.
The "low pressure" pump replacement worked.