Help - starboard won't start

Sadly if they do not find the cause of the issue it is just a waste of time and money

I am waiting on a call back from the guy that handles warranty claims. He was the original one that mentioned a new motor. As far as the motor being "tight", the guy today explained it as the crank being tight and difficult to move.

Ok so got the call back - Yahama has already been engaged and approved tear down. Should have an update by the end of the week at the latest.

If a mechanic gives bs answers, he's shady, even if he's the biggest our been in business forever. If the crank was "two tight" you'd know it on the first startup. I've heard a lot of bs, but this ranks really high. Then it's bad compression? They didn't check that first? Troubleshooting a no start is easy. Verify spark, verify fuel, then check compression if you have both.

If I were dealing with that problem the first thing I would check is SPARK if it has spark then I would check FUEL, and if you have those then check compression. I believe that maybe the problem went away when the mechanic checked it out the first time, if that is true then it would be difficult to locate the issue however he maybe should have let you in on how to run on one engine just to prepare you for it happening again. But I seldom bring my problems to the shop unless it is something I know is under warranty. because you can usually kiss your boat goodbye for quite some time once it gets there!! In any event it still sounds a bit suspect to me like a guessing game. Remember this style engine is new to these boats and probably to some of the mechanics also. I am sure that Yamaha will not let you down on this so keep us advised.

Jgorm said:

If a mechanic gives bs answers, he's shady, even if he's the biggest our been in business forever. If the crank was "two tight" you'd know it on the first startup. I've heard a lot of bs, but this ranks really high. Then it's bad compression? They didn't check that first? Troubleshooting a no start is easy. Verify spark, verify fuel, then check compression if you have both.

Click to expand...

While it's possible - I just don't get that vibe from him.. and I am usually very skeptical of people in general. I think it it was more of communication error than anything. The first guy I spoke to gets his info from the mechanic, and the second guy gets his info from the last guy, so I ended up being 3rd/4th in the chain of information. Though it is possible they are all shady - I don't think it's the case. Either way it's the place I bought it from and everything is under warranty... and the engine is under warranty for life - no matter the outcome. If I was out of warranty - I would have taken a completely different route. I was hoping to have it back Sunday but that doesn't seem to be the case. The following Sunday I will be at the Buc's game, so while I would like it back asap, next realistic chance I have of taking it out is the 5th. That would give them 4.5 weeks.... if they can't get it fixed by then, then I will explore some other options.

Just went over to the shop and looked at the motor torn apart. All 3 pistons had water damage/corrosion and most of the rings were frozen. Long story short, they believe this ultimately resulted of a underlying starting issue (wouldn't be an issue now if they just fixed it the first time). The first time out, water got in the motor on my way back, and same for the second time. The second time they were unable to get the motor apart for sometime and it was not able to be flushed so it only got worse.

They said I will be getting a new motor - but they still need to run it through Yamaha. Simply put, if Yamaha refuses warranty, we will be going to court.

While I don't know the specifics of your issue I believe Yamaha will be replacing that engine for you. Is it possible to get some pictures to show us?

Sorry never got pictures. I just picked up the boat yesterday, entire rotating assembly was replaced. (Block, heads, etc). They took it out for several hours and tried to re-create starting issue but it never occurred. Hopefully it doesn't happen again, but if it does I will be doing the troubleshooting on the water to figure out the issue. While I think the dealership dragged their feet a little - and I think Yamaha dragged their feet even more - the dealership was good to work with. They fixed a few cosmetic things as well, gave me a real nice salt-terminator dispenser for free (my old one leaks), and some interior cleaner since I pointed some scuffs (which they promptly cleaned). Might be another week or two before I can take her out again.

Well I have to say yahama came through for me. They added 2 months to my YES warranty and are sending me $450 to spend on anything I want at my local dealer.

Ok so issue happened AGAIN. Brought boat in immediately... they determined the stator is bad. The boat started for them, but they did more digging and determined intermittent issues from the stator, and it doesn't always send enough voltage for the plugs to spark. Thinking further, this could be the issue for my voltage issues and ground noise as well.

They also claimed water in the engine, but I came in only on forward neutral. Not sure how water could have gotten in the motor. I will be installing shut-off valves when I get the boat back though.

Got boat back - starts at house go to ramp and does not start AGAIN. This is seriously pathetic. At this point I think it is time to consider legal counsel to lemon the boat under Magnusson-Moss.

This is messed up...

Any chance it's something simple this time like lanyard not fully in, or clean out hatch was left open?

Let us know, best of luck.

I don't think so. When I started at home it hesitated then started. I opened the hatch and put both pins as far down as I could while some else tried to start, same idea for lanyard.

Funny thing is when it starts it runs great. It's just getting to that point... Other engine starts fine every time.

In my humble opinion, after having the boat so long and doing all they claim to have done, they owe you a competent body to come with your and troubleshoot live before you torch it. (Maybe kidding a little bit on the torch it part)

It's known to be a fun reliable boat, but there is something not quite there on this one. Best wishes on your next step.

Beachbummer said:

In my humble opinion, after having the boat so long and doing all they claim to have done, they owe you a competent body to come with your and troubleshoot live before you torch it. (Maybe kidding a little bit on the torch it part)

It's known to be a fun reliable boat, but there is something not quite there on this one. Best wishes on your next step.

Click to expand...

I didn't think of that, but is a good idea. I just dropped it off. The owner is out of town for a week, but the GM is going to call me sometime today.

Well it started for them every single time. They worked with Yamaha tech and checked items but found nothing wrong. Was told they lubed some items, adjusted some sensors and changed spark plugs, but I have a strong feeling it is going to happen again.

If it happens again I am going to tackle the issue on my own at this point. Are you guys able to give me some pointers of what to check if it cranks but does not turn over? I will keep a DMM ready to find the issue.

Guess what - it happened again!

They have to pull the engine again! Said something about an oil line this time.

Beyond over it at this point. Don't even want the boat anymore.

adrianp89 said:

Guess what - it happened again!

They have to pull the engine again! Said something about an oil line this time.

Beyond over it at this point. Don't even want the boat anymore.

Click to expand...

Man I'm so sorry! This really sucks!! Hope they eventually get it sorted. For what its worth I know exactly what you are going through. We went through a very similar thing with a brand new boat back in the 90's. Brand new boat dying on the lake multiple times and towed back, in and out of the shop many times putting new parts in but not fixing the actual problem - everything under warranty but you just want them to give you a new boat - 3 months later finally found the real problem --- had the boat without a single other issue after that for 10 years. Just saying there is hope even though you want to just burn it to the ground right now.

Lastest update is something about a clogged oil line and that prevents the motor from starting.