Two Stroke longevity for 200-250 HP motors

[Flyswatter]

How long should a brand new Two Stroke engine (200-250HP) last if you put approx. 100 hours a year on the motor with 80 % of motor use at 4,500-4,800 rpms?

Flyswatter

[kensafishin]

Mines 10 years old with alot more use than 100 hours a year and still runs great.Keep up all maintenance on it.

[wildkat7]

Some will last a lifetime....some will last a short time. With any manufactured product, some will be better than others.

I know several still running their 10-15 year old carbed/efi motors that run like scalded dogs. Also know folks that have blown up their motors in less than a year in having it. Don't think you can get a straight answer. Too many variables.

A lot depends on how you treat it too....

[Flyswatter]

What has been the history on the HPDI motors?

Thanks again.

Flyswatter

[iron banks]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flyswatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What has been the history on the HPDI motors?

Thanks again.

Flyswatter</TD></TR></TABLE>

You will get a wide array of answers. The earlier models had some bugs and fried plenty of power heads yet some folks never turned a wrench. I have an 08 series 2 with about 70 hours and it has been flawless. I still believe the 4 stroke will the engine to own in a couple of years. If yamaha got this right it will change the game

[Flyswatter]

IB, thanks. I hope to get more history on the HDPI's. I have opportunity to repower or stay with my HPDI now. I have some extra boat toy cash from recent tournament winnings. However back to my original post with HPDI's I and would like to know the life history of the HPDI's durability relating engine accumulation hours. From what I have read the bugs have been worked out of the HPDI and are rock solid now. Currently I have one and like it. Although, it drinks oil like a drunken sailor.

At first I was fired up to re-power thinking the 4 strokes would have much longer motor head life. Now after some thought I am thinking why change if the HPDI has good guts for durability relating to running 100 plus hours a year. Also, I have a 5 year warranty too with option to add a sixth year too. I plan on keeping this boat for at least 7 plus years. It's everything I could want with latest electronics/side imaging technologies. Again, re-powering is not a major economic issue to me. I am not a gear head and know very little on engines. Maybe the HPDI is the motor for me.

One last comment. I am extremely anal on service. It's done plus and probably over the top per the regular maintenance schedules with my dealer/service center.

Flyswatter

[Groman]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iron banks &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You will get a wide array of answers. The earlier models had some bugs and fried plenty of power heads yet some folks never turned a wrench. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly, I know a person with two 1st generation FICHT motors that have been flawlesss. My brother blew 3 power heads on a 225 VMAX EFI, which was one of Yamaha's best motors.

[Flyswatter]

Groman, I am sure your are correct. Now let's find those HPDI's user out there to tell their story relating to my post

[SkeeterJohn]

You'll see hpdi's on some saltwater sites with 700 hours on them and they're still talking as if they're only just broken in... my 2005 has 310 at the moment.

I've seen posted on bbc that they'll go to 2000 hours before a rebuild is needed but how many of us with typical use would ever reach that before thinking about repowering anyway.

I'm only putting on about 40 hours a year living so far north so to reach 2000 from where i am now that's going to take me 42.5 years ... i'll bet i repower or switch boats WAY before that

Of course that's assuming no "issues" come up and we all know that can happen at ANYTIME.

[Ludicrous]

I put 350 hours on an 05' (300 HPDI) in saltwater. (zero problems) Just sold that boat though. I know of many HPDI's that have over 1000 hours. (I am a Sea Tow captain) And I know one boat that has twin 200 HPDI's with 4000 hours.


Curious how your gonna manage 80% of your time between 4500-4800 rpms??? 300 rpm window?


Current work boat just turned 780 hours...in a little over a year. (four stroke mercs) But they replaced two-strokes Evinrudes with 1500 hours that were still running good.

[Darth VMAX]

I think you are very wise in reconsidering the re-power. I know the "cool" factor is up there with having the latest and greatest. The SHO promises a LOT.
HOWEVER, your Series 2 HPDI is a rock-solid proven, reliable and STRONG performer! By Yamaha's own GAMECHANGER reports. The SHO is ONLY 1.5 mph faster (which you won't even notice if you cover your GPS LOL), a little quicker and a little more effecient than the HPDI. All great factors but IMO NOT worth the $$$ LOST for the swap over.

What happens if the production motors are tuned down a tad? It has been known to happen with engine manufacturers . Also, what if there is service bulliten after service bullitens (ie. RECALLS) that is a fact of life with new motors/technology. This equals time off the water

And again....for how big of an "advantage" over your HPDI???

I hope the SHO IS all of what it promises and more....I will give it a couple of years first

[Flyswatter]

What about gas and oil savings over three-four years with a 4 stroke?

Everyone, great comments.

Thanks!

Flyswatter

[Flyswatter]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ludicrous &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Curious how your gonna manage 80% of your time between 4500-4800 rpms??? 300 rpm window?
d.</TD></TR></TABLE>

80% of my behind the wheel time is in the 4,500 to 4,800 RPM range.

[jevery]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flyswatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What about gas and oil savings over three-four years with a 4 stroke?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I haven't compared the Yamaha HPDIs to the Yamaha F motors, but I have compared operating cost of some of the E-TECs to the F motors.







If you give me what size motors you want to compare, the price of a gal of Yamaha 2-stroke oil, and how many hours you run a year, I'll plug it into my spreadsheet and post the charts.


Modified by jevery at 4:38 AM 12/19/2009

[Flyswatter]

200 hpd1
i

[iron banks]

From what I have seen it seems the HPDI's had more trouble with heavy saltwater hulls than bass boats. They don't like to be lugged. I have always tried to prop my engines for as close to the max operating rpm's as possible. The 225 series 2 that I have has a operating max of 5-6K rpms. I try and get the rpm's very close to the 6K. I had a friend with a 250 hpdi in 2004 who blew 3 powerheads. He had it on a 24 ft triton bay boat. Years ago I talked with a yamaha tech and he told me the heavier the boat the more problems. I have not read many reports of series 2 blowing. The best you can do is run the ring free and a fuel stabilizer. Use a onboard 10 micron fuel/water separator. Change the plugs, clean the filters and If you have that much warranty then I would keep it. I have 5 years warranty left on my hpdi. I like my champion so I will look at a sho in about 3 years when they are proven

[jevery]

There is not a direct, (same hull), comparison for the VZ vs the F series in the 200 size. These two reports, VZ200, F200 are as close as possible and would give a close estimate of operating cost differences.

Locally, Yamaha 2M oil is $31 Gal, or about $34 with tax. A comparison in the 225 class with the SHO would be a bigger difference in favor of the 4-stroke. I set the burn ratio at 50/1, but probably in reality be closer to 40/1.

I'm always hearing about the cost of maintaining the 4-strokes, valve adjustments and all, but I think many grossly underestimate how much will be spent in 2-stroke oil over the life of an engine.

[flybyy1]

i dont want to talk real loud here,, dont want my motor to hear me,, i have an 07 series 1, hpdi 250,, 197 hrs on it, never had any kind of issue!, and its on a pretty heavy skeeter, 20i. alot of my running is in the 38-48 hundred rpm range,, i have outgrown most of the "wot" dont know if that helps. i do keep it well maintained,, ie fuel filters, plugs,, o,,, and lots of gas!!!!, hmmm,, gas might not be an maintance issue

[Neilslure]

My 2008 Series 2 has about 145 hours on it. Only issues I have had were a clogged poppet valve and a slung prop blade. Other than that, its been flawless knock on wood.

[Flyswatter]

This is great stuff guys. Thanks a bunch!

Flyswatter