Engine cut out while cruising [Update 1: broken timing chain] [Update 2: Yamaha claim approved]

[Evil Sports]

Did you bring it to G&R

 

[Harshhobgoblin]

Did you bring it to G&R

Yes I did. Are you familiar with them? You get yours there?

 

[Evil Sports]

Yes I did. They are a good shop, honest and very knowledgeable. I trust Andy the tech there without question.

 

[Harshhobgoblin]

I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences with them, it's hard to find honest dealer's. I've been working with Greg. Seems like a good guy, helped me troubleshoot over the phone before I brought it in.

 

[Evil Sports]

Yeah Greg is good too, he has been there for ever like Andy, great shop that actually knows what they are doing

 

[njmr2fan]

Sorry to hear the confirmation of this. Hope that they step up. Its one issue, and you're just 1 owner, but in the long run for every broken timing chain there's going to be 10 people who learn about it and never consider Yamaha boats. And theres an ever increasing number of bad timing chains....

 

[Harshhobgoblin]

UPDATE (8/15/16): Yamaha has recognized this as a 'known issue' and will be covering the repair. New parts (new block, head, etc) are on order and they will be upgrading to the 2016 timing chain and sprocket. 2-3 weeks repair

 

[SCSX190]

That is awesome news. I just found out my engine build date is 9/15 so it has the newer (16) timing chain setup.

 

[haknslash]

UPDATE (8/15/16): Yamaha has recognized this as a 'known issue' and will be covering the repair. New parts (new block, head, etc) are on order and they will be upgrading to the 2016 timing chain and sprocket. 2-3 weeks repair

woohoo! Nice they are also giving you the 2016 upgraded components. You should be set then!

 

[Harshhobgoblin]

woohoo! Nice they are also giving you the 2016 upgraded components. You should be set then!

They're pretty much replacing the whole motor, but as the tech explained it to me Yamaha sends parts individually rather than just sending a new create motor.

 

[haknslash]

It's reassuring to hear that Yamaha is stepping up, even though you don't have YES warranty. 50 hours is nothing on these engines and it should not be failing that early on. I could see it being several hundreds of hours but not 50. Glad you'll be taken care of and hopefully back on the water before the season starts to dwindle down.

 

[ToddW850]

Sucks to read this thread, however, glad Yamaha is taking care of it. Sounds like you could be back on the water before the season ends.

 

[Glen]

The timing chain part was replaced in all 1.8l engines produced after 07/15. So, for example, a boat made in 10/15 would have the new part.

brother swatski, how do I know the production date on my engines?
Bought mine 11/15, so would guess I'm gtg, but who likes to guess with something like this.
The engine plates/stickers on top of the engines have a bunch of numbers, but no obvious date.
No surprise, what must be the serial numbers are 1 up from the other.

 

[swatski]

brother swatski, how do I know the production date on my engines?
Bought mine 11/15, so would guess I'm gtg, but who likes to guess with something like this.
The engine plates/stickers on top of the engines have a bunch of numbers, but no obvious date.
No surprise, what must be the serial numbers are 1 up from the other.

@Glen Not the best shot, just a guide:

 

[swatski]

brother swatski, how do I know the production date on my engines?
Bought mine 11/15, so would guess I'm gtg, but who likes to guess with something like this.
The engine plates/stickers on top of the engines have a bunch of numbers, but no obvious date.
No surprise, what must be the serial numbers are 1 up from the other.

Sounds like you maybe close, but who knows. I seem to be close, too, mine was purchased as a 2016 AR240 last month with the production date (on the engine) of 10/15. Sure they crank them out in batches, so even significant discrepancies between engine production date, boat assembly and purchase are expected.

I wonder if there is a way for a dealer to ascertain the exact origination of that part in any given batch of engines, short of visual inspection/ opening up the head.

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[0627Devildog]

Like others, glad to hear Yamaha is stepping up to the plate on this. . . . . they must be reading these threads. = )

 

[swatski]

@Glen I think there are other ways to tell, the intake manifold has been changed back and forth around the same time as the timing chain parts upgrade. I'll look into this tonight, I had it pulled up at some point.

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[swatski]

pre 15 TC (3/4 link)

Upgraded 15 (4/5 link)

 

[swatski]

It may be premature to consider an update to the 2016 chain as a cure all, anyway. If the cause of the failure is a new/different chain manufacturer, which has been suggested, what if that same company is making the 2016 chain?

The official answer will probably never be known, but let's not forget there are several parts that physically touch the chain, the chain guides, etc. which may be responsible.


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[njmr2fan]

Great to hear that Yamaha steps up to the plate and helps with this. My personal brand preferences and buying always boils down to customer service. If a company shows me that I matter because I purchased their product over a competitor, they have me for life. And they also wind up with a field salesperson to people whom I meet and speak with. Not all companies realize the importance of keeping their existing customers happy in order to build their future customer base. Hope you're back on the water soon!