250 SHO Questions

[bigfish]

Just ordered a new phoenix with a 250 sho..I was wondering what you guys have been seeing out of these motors, any coming back with any issues, any trends your seeing that havent been corrected or have they so far been as great as everyone seems to think.

really look forward to running it.

I had one of the first model years for the Etec and they had a few glitches to work through..just wondering if your seeing any of that with the SHO.. Thanks

OK read a few of the responses what is the oil issue?????


Modified by bigfish at 10:17 PM 3/26/2011

[hooken203]

Raising oil level was the only thing I didnt like on mine but that has slowed with a few hours on it now. The mid range power to me is the most impressive part. No smoke and quite also great.

[gasbasser]

I initially had the oil issue also. The TSB's have resolved this. I have had mine a year with absolutely no regrets or issues. It serves my purpose well.
britt
sc

[Unimog]

I had the oil issues in the first 5-7 hours of operation as well. I changed the oil at 5 hours to get the fuel out and will change again at 10, then 20 with the yamalube synthetic. Kind of expensive to do this but I don't want any issues.

Other than that no issues so far.

[hooken203]

There was a TSB that covered the rising oil level?

[KYKTB]

Do you have to run any type of fuel treatment in the SHO other than Stabil ethonal treatment? No carbon should build in the cylinders of a 4 stroke like the 2 strokes do.

[Unimog]

I run ring free plus in every tank whether I need it or not.

[skeeter77346]

The TSBs addressed the lower water pickups, thermostat modification that also required a seal replacement. The motor needs to get up to temp and the Yamaha factory support guys explained that in cold water situations the motor was running too cool.
I have owned 2 SHOs with no motor issues at all. 36 hours right now.

Call the YAMAHA customer relation guys - they are very good and know these motors. Give them your serial # and they will tell you if the TSBs need to be done. Follow the break-in and you will be good.

Outboard Customer Relations
Exclusively for Outboards
(866) 894-1626
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/ou....aspx

Good luck.

[hooken203]

Mine had those things done already due to its production date. But it still had the oil issue. Should have just ran it harder in the first few hours. Great motor so far but so was my EFI motor.

[JRBjr]

I have a 2010 250 SHO that I just bought that has 53 hours on it. It is a great engine that is very powerful. When you speak of rising oil level, to what are you referring? Do I need to get mine checked? What is TSB?

[hooken203]

I think this rising oil level only happens during break in so it should not be a problem for you. You should check to see if the TSBs have been done on your engine. They cover different water pick ups in the lower unit and different thermostats and thermostat seal.

[gasbasser]

JRB just keep an eye on your oil level. Some of the earlier SHO's had some fuel entering the oil. I am not real technical with this, but that was the gist of it. The TSB's corrected the problem that was leading to this. Mine had the oil issue initially, but a year later it is perfect with no problems.
britt

[falcooon]

Recently took delivery of my Phoenix 721 with 250 SHO. No oil issues during break in. Engine is quiet, smooth, and very powerful. No engine issues at all. I just performed initial, after break in, 20 hour service with no issues.

Yes..use the Yamaha all synthetic oil developed for the SHO...Manual states the ongoing use of Ring Free Fuel Additive Plus and Yamalube Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner Plus.

Follow the directions and engine runs like a top.

You will love this engine and of course the Phoenix will put a smile on your face that's hard to remove!

Good Luck and keep in touch to compare notes on the SHO.

[hooken203]

No need to run fuel stabilzer unless you are storing or not using it for an extended period. Falcoon do you know what the production date is on you motor? I got mine late in the season and did have the oil level issue. It had the TSBs done when I picked it up.

[falcooon]

Where do I look to find production date???

Also...with all of the variables of boat use, ethanol, and humidity in various parts of the country ...I would use the stabilizer on an ongoing basis...

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish with a $20k motor!

Follow the manual... it will also give you ammunition with any warranty issues that should come up.

At this level of spending..... not using fuel additives is foolish!

[hooken203]

You can find the production date on the transom bracket. Its on the starboard side/ drivers side of the boat. I know what you are saying with the fuel additives and I know all the bad things that marine mechanics and the people selling the fuel additives will tell you about ethanol. I think as a general statement maybe its best to tell people to use something other than ringfree plus. But I use my boat two or three time a week so the fuel doesnt sit for long. I try to avoid using ethanol in everything I own not because I think it will cause a mechanical problem it has been in use around here for 25 years and I have been a mechanic for 30 and have seen very few problems that you could say were caused by it. Some states you go to thats all you can get and I still wouldnt add anything to the fuel because it has ethanol. I look at it like this. The 4 stroke engine that I have on my boat has all the same mechanical parts that my truck my motorcycle lawn mower snowblower have on them and I dont fear that I am going to have a fuel related failure in any of them. So I dont see the reason I would treat my boat any different. Do you add ring free and fuel stabilizer to your truck you tow with? I bet you paid 20 to 50K for your truck. What do you think it would cost to put an engine in it? Not trying to be a jackass here I just dont see the need.

[falcooon]

To each his own...I know for one thing ....if the engine fails and you make a warranty claim..the first question will be about fuel additives, right or wrong....It may not affect the warranty but you are already on the defensive in claiming your rights under the warranty. The owners manual "recommends" fuel additive use and does not state "requires" so maybe I am just overcautious.

You cannot compare truck and other equipment use to marine use due to two main factors:
1. Marine use is always around water.
2. The fuel system in trucks and autos is essentially a sealed system which only allows air and moisture in with drops of fuel level (fuel use). Boats are conventionally vented all the time which allows the tank to breath all the time with temperature etc ... This gives the ethanol additional opportunity to absorb moisture.

Either way the engine is a great one. Enjoy!

My mfg date was 07/2010. When was your's mfg...

[hooken203]

The production date on mine is 6/10. By the time mine had about 8 hours on it the oil was 2 inches over the full mark. I couldnt just leave it like that even though my dealer told me it was OK so I changed the oil. But what I found out was that it only took removing slightly over a pint to bring it back to the full mark. So it looked worse than it was. Makes me wonder if the thermostat issue was really donbe correctly on mine. I need to find out what other peoples water temperature runs.If this thing runs as long as my OX66 engine you wont hear me complain.

[balata9999]

I wonder how many people are checking the oil properly in their sho's? It seems like a lot of people are having problems with them "making oil" and I wonder if some people might be checking the dipstick without first removing the fill cap on the oil tank. The way its set up it will suction oil up the dipstick to look like its fuller than it actually is. I know there have been a few with issues, but I'm sure nobody would admit it but I bet that has happened more than once when somebody see that and goes out to the garage just pulls the dipstick and says "mines making oil".

[The Arch]

its funny that you mention that because after i get home and the motor sets for a few hours if you pull the dip stick there isnt a drop of oil on it then stick it back in there and there is oil on it lol