Have a guy at work looking at an offshore boat with twin 1984 200 hp Yamaha's on it. Has only been two previous owners. Supposedly low hours for the year.How reliable were the older motors ? are they worth taking a chance on? I told him to look at it as a hull only purchase and run them as long as possible but was curious if anyone else had any knowledge of the older engines.
They were weak in the corrosion department. Prior to '93 and the introduction of the Saltwater Series motors Yamaha failed to use stainless hardware in key components. If these motors are actually '84s they most certainly would've corroded out by now and had these components replaced. Its fairly obvious when looking the motor over what's not stainless. But what you can't see easily is the shift shaft that goes down the motor from the powerhead area all the way to the gearcase. This piece was not originally stainless prior to '93 and was a common failure item. There were numerous improvements made after '93. But if you're buying the boat assuming the motors are junk and priced accordingly you should be Ok. Not much to lose then. If the powerheads were already replaced they may have replaced the original non-stainless shift-shafts at that time anyway, since the powerheads have to be removed to change them.
Mike
Hold My Beer And Watch This !
One reply? Thought we had more "experts"around here
You want my honest opinion? If they are on an offshore rig and spent 20yrs in salt water, good luck getting a tech to work on them. I know my dealer won't touch a motor over 10yrs old that's been in salt water. On the other hand the 2.6 carbed Yamaha's would run forever. Prop them to turn 57-5800, use good oil and gas, and they'll run like a scalded a** ape for years and years. I know of many in this area with 1000+ hours, some with 1500+ hours and never so much as had a head off of them. If they sit, the carbs do gum up VERY easily. You need to run stabalizer in the fuel at all times and run them at least once per week. The only way I would touch them is knowing going into the deal that they are at best "project" motors.
Thanks for the replies!! Will pass them along.
I am with these guys, twisting off bolts is a daily effort. It's a shame, the engines were a decent design. The corrosion factors have been improved vastly!!
Reply With Quote
