Yamaha Marine Outboard Connecting Rods, Pistons, Driveshafts, Camshafts, and Crankshafts

Yamaha Outboard Connecting Rods, Pistons, Driveshafts, Camshafts, and Crankshafts Resources and Information

PartsVu.com is happy to offer a broad selection of outboard connection rods, pistons, driveshafts, camshafts, and crankshafts to match the exact specifications of your Yamaha outboard motor. If you have questions about performing maintenance on your outboard, chances are you’ll find the answers in our blog. 

We also regularly release new helpful resources like: 

• Yamaha Outboard Maintenance Parts Charts
• Yamaha Outboard Service Schedule
• Yamaha Outboard Specs & Capacities Chart

Looking for more components and products to service your Yamaha outboard engine? Feel free to shop our complete selection of Yamaha outboard parts. 

Yamaha Outboard Connecting Rods, Pistons, Driveshafts, Camshafts, and Crankshafts FAQs

What is the life expectancy of my Yamaha outboard engine?

Yamaha outboard engines have a strong reputation for reliability, and for good reason. Your outboard engine life expectancy, at minimum, is about 1,500 hours (or, 6-8 years for the average boater). However, a properly maintained outboard engine can last more than 4,000 hours! This means that your engine could last for 16-21 years before needing to be replaced. 

Shop for the boat parts you need with PartsVu and reference our Marine Tool Kits guide to learn about the tools essential to your engine maintenance. If the troubleshooting guide above provided no results, consult a mechanic. They may find the issue, or you may need to replace your outboard altogether.

How Do I Troubleshoot a Yamaha Outboard Motor?

Before you begin, extinguish cigarettes or other smoking materials whether you smell gasoline or not. 

It’s best to first address the simplest potential problems before getting into more complicated matters. The following quick fixes may address the reason your Yamaha outboard motor stopped working. 

It may sound obvious, but check anyway! Is there gas in the tank? If so, is the tank vent open? A closed vent prevents air from replacing fuel as the motor pulls it out, which is necessary for firing up the engine. 

If the kill switch isn’t properly attached it could very well be the source of your motor problems. Undo the connection and put it right back into place. The kill switch may need to be replaced altogether. 

The next point to check is your gear shift. It’s easy to knock out of place, which prevents the engine from starting. Make sure that you’re in neutral and try starting your engine once more. 

Sometimes, the issue may simply be that your engine propeller has something tangled around it. This may be a fishing line, excessive seaweed, or some other material that’s worked its way around the blades. Carefully remove anything that may be wrapped around the propeller, and give it a once-over for any damage that may be present. If the propeller is damaged, it needs to be replaced. Debris around the propeller is the most likely culprit if your boat motor starts, but quickly dies.

Try to start the engine both with and without using the choke. If this doesn’t work, try altering the throttle position. Applying more or less gas can sometimes do the trick. Finally, squeeze the primer bulb a few times to make sure the engine is primed up.

Some batteries have an on/off switch. If this is true for your battery, make sure the switch is on. Then, if your engine is under 25HP, you may be able to use the emergency cord to pull-start. It’s possible to do this with up to a 50HP engine, but be aware that the higher the HP, the more difficult this will be. If this works, the battery is likely the issue. You may need to replace it.

Why are Yamaha outboard oil change kits so important?

Yamaha has spent many thousands of hours and resources to ensure that only the best oil specifically suited for the marine environment goes into your engine. PartsVu can confirm that this oil was created for the most grueling conditions an outboard engine can face. Whether it’s extended full-throttle operation, engine-punishing “out of the hole” acceleration, or hours of trolling, genuine Yamalube engine oils can handle the job at hand.

Yamalube oil delivers superior lubrication and anti-rust protection for outboard engines in marine environments and works to guard against ring stick, carbon buildup, and varnish. Yamalube 4 Stroke engine oils have the best anti-foaming formula available, and unlike passenger car oils, they are certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

For your convenience, PartsVu has created oil change kits for many Yamaha outboards. These kits contain the exact amount of oil needed for your engine, the appropriate oil filter, and oil plug drain gasket.

How do I protect my Yamaha outboard engine parts?

The marine environment is one of the harshest on the planet, and that’s why protecting your Yamaha outboard engine is extremely important. For premium protection against rust and corrosion, we highly recommend Yamashield Rust & Corrosion Protectant. Yamashield replaces the T-9 formula that was designed by Boeing Aviation and is a combination of solvents, lubricants, and waxes. This means it has the ability to clean, lubricate, and protect your Yamaha outboard.

Yamalube Marine Grease is specifically designed for the marine environment, is highly resistant to water and is critically important to protect your Yamaha outboard. It provides superior quality lubrication while adhering to all frictional surfaces, despite engine vibrations, to keep your engine’s moving parts working smoothly. We recommend using Yamalube Marine Grease on prop shafts as well.

Yamalube’s Ring Free Plus formula provides superior deposit control for fuel injectors, carburetors, intake valves, intake ports, and combustion chambers. Deposits can either be the result of lower quality gasoline or just regular engine use. When left untreated they cause engine knocking, power loss, hesitation, shortened spark plug life, and piston ring sticking.

Yamalube Combustion Chamber Cleaner removes horsepower-robbing carbon deposits that accumulate in an engine’s combustion chamber, pistons, cylinders, rings, and valves. In addition, it cleans out gum and varnish and helps free sticking rings. This is another great product to include in your seasonal maintenance routine. PartsVu highly recommends it to extend the life of your engine and control carbon build-up.

Yamaha 20-hour maintenance kits and Yamaha 100-hour maintenance kits contain genuine Yamaha outboard parts, Yamalube marine engine oils, and were designed with ease of proper maintenance in mind. They contain all you need for Yamaha’s new outboard 20-hour service, and 100-hour or annual service.

How do I increase the lifespan of my Yamaha outboard motor? 

From the moment your Yamaha outboard first hits the water, your outboard motor will start to degrade. If you use your engine is used heavily, allowed to corrode, stored improperly, and not properly maintained (see below), your outboard’s lifespan will be significantly shortened. 

Yamaha makes a diverse line of high-performing outboard motors that will perform many years of service before needing to be replaced. However, your commitment to regular maintenance is required to achieve optimal performance and a long lifespan. 

For example, not regularly changing your lower unit’s oil with Yamalube gear lube can seize your engine, costing thousands in repairs and degrading its overall performance. That’s why having a Yamaha marine gear lube kit on hand is a wise and cost-effective long-term strategy.

Having all the necessary parts and products on hand saves you time and money. By going the DIY route, you can change your oil, replace routine parts, and lube up your engine in a matter of hours. And, all for substantially less money than would be required if you took your boat to your local marine mechanic.

Oil and grease are the primary lubricants that keep your outboard in the water and out of the repair shop. If it’s time for maintenance, or you detect oil that is milky in color, smells burnt, or looks darker than usual when checking it, it’s time for a change.

Yamaha outboard motors require regular maintenance to stay reliable out on the water and avoid breakdowns. This maintenance must occur after 20 hours of service for new engines, then every 100 hours. You should perform enhanced service every 300 hours and 500 hours.