Got my SHO 250 in April and dropped it off for 20 hour service last week. There were Tech Service Bulletins released as recent as this past Friday. Don't wait.
britt
Got my SHO 250 in April and dropped it off for 20 hour service last week. There were Tech Service Bulletins released as recent as this past Friday. Don't wait.
britt
Hey Britt,
I will be getting a SHO on a bay boat in about 3 weeks. Been a V6 Merc guy since 1979....
How many hours on the SHO rigs so far? (My LA Buddy has 25hrs & raves about the SHO)
Do you know of anyone with 200+ hrs yet?
Anyone get notified of the TSBs on the SHO? I hear there are three.
Is the TSB viewable online?
What was involved to get the TSB 'fixes/tweaks' done? Quick same day in and out?
What is the break in period / 1st service interval? Oil & filter change only and computer diagnostic?
I appreciate any input from those who know.
Thanks.
I was wondering if anyone was gonna ask any questions about my topic. Let's see. I have a hair over 20hrs. Took it in for the 20 hour service and they noticed I had more oil in the tank than there should have been. The oil was very thin and mixed with fuel is what I was told. I dropped the boat off on a Thursday, that next day, Friday is when one of the TSB's came out. They got the parts in within a few days. The TSB's I have not been able to find, but was told they were on the dealers page. Don't know about the quick in and out, because my engine is the first of the SHO's they have sold, in for service and these TSB's. They said they wanted to take their time and follow every step dotting all i's and crossing all the t's. I hope to pick it up tomorrow. I know they were replacing some seals and gaskets and some other stuff also. I am very concerned with all this, as anyone would be. How in the heck would one know this was occurring. I guess my advice to anyone with a SHO would be to check your oil level frequently. I got my boat on April 15 and dropped it off 3 months later with 20 hours for service. I really like the engine, so I hope this is not a sign of things to come. So far Yamaha and Greene Boat and Motor have taken good care of me. My mechanic said they have seen this with other Manufactures at some point, I guess other 4 strokes?. I expect there to be issues with something this new. As long as it is not recurring issues or one right after the other, I am ok with it. How many Merc guys have had to replace coils? Lots of them, but it is still a great engine. Several of us are guinea pigs and that is ok with me. Many are still waiting this out to see how it pans out, that is ok also. Someone has got to be the first in everything.
The break in was 10 hours, 1st hour was not even on plain. 2nd hour was limited RPM's and 2-10 was no one RPM for greater than 5 minutes with short runs of WOT. I haven't heard of anyone with greater than 100 hours, I am sure some of the pros have that. Would be curious to see how their engines were now and how many hours.
If I didn't answer your question or you have more just ask.
britt
Thanks Britt. Man that is a bummer. Hopefully it is fixed & not a big issue going forward. Had not heard of the issue you mentioned. I do know that some of the older Yams have the 'making oil' issue - the older 115 - 250 models. Did the dealer say that a 'global fix' of some kind was issued by Yamaha, or was this peculiar only to your motor.
The other TSBs I heard about were 1) Thermostat seal corrosion fix; 2) Cold water operation tweak; 3) LU water pickup mod of some sort.
They were also performing those.
britt
Sounds like it is the " making oil syndrome". When yamaha fist introduced there 4 strokes many had this problem. They were all fixed. I have a 250 four stroke on my bay boat with about 120 hours and have not had this issue. They will get it fixed and no harm should come to the engine. keep us updated.
I'm with Josh
My mechanic said he has seen this before with other brands but it was much worse than mine. He said everything looked unharmed.
Time will tell!
none of these TSB'S are related to your problem,i have worked on several that are still making oil even after the updates! yes it is making oil basically from rings not beingseated , this is fairly common not just with SHO'S but with all 4 strokes. this is why you never fill your oil past the half mark on your dipstick. I would not sweet it, once your past your 10hrs run the crap out of it and make them baby's seat!!!!!!
I have run it pretty good. Are you saying the rings will eventually seat? I would have thought they would have seated. Guess it's time to run it hard and re run some top in numbers. Of course yamaha is telling my dealer this should fix the problem, but my mechanic said he would honestly be shocked if it did, but that they would continue to take care of me. I appreciate his honesty. They changed the water uptakes, thermostat.... you know what they are if you work on them. I have heard this was a 4 stroke issue in the past. Thanks for your input. I'm ready to get my boat back and start seating them babies
Good luck with your motor and hope it works out for you.
Honestly though, I cannot understand why you would be o.k. with being a guinea pig. For the price outboards go for, we should demand, as consumers, that motors are not put on the market until the kinks are worked out. Outboard motor manufacturers (all of them) especially seem to think it is o.k. to stiff us with a product not ready for release.
You ever own a car or truck that had "issues" I sure have. It was one with a track record of being "good". Things happen. As long as my dealer and Yamaha keep taking good care of me, I am ok. If starts seeming that something is always wrong, then I will cross that bridge when I get there. Has no one ever had to replace coils on a Merc? Just asking, not stirring.
britt
I'm not stirring either and I own a Yamaha that has been good so far. It just pisses me off though, that every manufacturer seems to put out motors that become known to have flaws-like the injector issue in Mercs, and the starter and injector issue in Evinrudes. They need to test them better before using the consumer market as a test bed.
I've had very few problems with my Toyota trucks.
Seriously, hope you have good luck with your motor and thanks for taking the time to post and warn us.
I have a friend that owns a Merc Verado and it did the same thing(making oil). His finally stopped after about 40 hrs. His printout showded very little time above 4000 rpm, his mec. told him that is why it took so long to seat the rings. His has been a great motor since this issue so I am sure yours will be great also.
Well I picked up the old sled today. I agree, I wish things were right from the get go. Now I got to go and run her a little harder and see if I can get things seated. Funny you say that about Toyota, I have had 3 and my current Tundra was in the shop numerous times with electrical issues with the door locks. They finally got it fixed though. Thanks for all the comments and support, I don't wish anyone to have mechanical issues, it is too frustrating. I am just glad Greene Boat and Motor and Yamaha have been good to me.
britt
My SHO has 60 hours on it now and no issues. Haven't had time to get the TSB's taken care of will do in two weeks.
My experience so far is I would buy the exact same motor if I was buying today. The midrange and low end power kicks the pants out of the xs's i am used to!
Hot Rod, Have you checked your oil? My 250 "made a good bit" It was significantly overfull and smelled like fuel. I really wish Yamaha would get one of the pros SHO's and break it down for some examination. Apparently mine was running to cool and the computer was causing it to run to rich. Plus, I am thinking my rings and "things" haven't seated completely yet. I am by no means outboard engine mechanically inclined, so that is how my mechanic broke it down for me. I plan on running it hard on Monday and hope to have some more numbers posted. Probably going to raise jack plate for Monday also. I agree, I love the performance and would buy the engine again right now. Ask me again in 6 months.
britt
I say run it like you stole it and if something happens let yamaha fix it....they got a pretty good warranty dont they? I cant see Yamaha leaving you hanging with a engine that they have built so much hype into.
My buddy's 250SHO is doing the same thing. I do all of his maintenance and with maybe 16-17 hrs on the motor I sucked 8.5L of oil out of it. I knew for sure I had checked the oil when we picked it up and it was the correct level. I better get it in to get all the work done at the dealer!
It would be helpful if a certified Yamaha SHO techie checked in here to let everyone know the 'issues/fixes'. Maybe ticky tack stuff, but....
Does the break-in procedure require running under a 'negative trim/bow down' load?
Or does it just state the max RPM ranges at different hour readings?
Ring seating blow-by (aka "making oil') - Is it a break-in issue or a design/engineering/manufacturing issue?
Thanks
Reply With Quote