Yamaha Engine

[Gradyman]

Hey everyone, Just got "the call" about my engine..doesn't look good, but I'll be calling for another opnion as well. In the meantime if you all could spred the word or send me any info concerning a low hours Yamaha 225 or 250, 99 to 2003 model I would really appriciate it...They tell me my lower unit is bad and that the drive shaft is "stuck" in the crank case...hence a $1800 job turns into a $4000 job according to the dealer. I did try with Maddog to get the lower unit off but it only seperates slightly and then won't budge. ANY help is appriciated...PM me or call

cell 386-295-3724
off 800-466-5933

Thanks,
Len

[Old Bateman]

Sounds like a problem I had with an Evinrude. Drive shaft spline was frozen in the crankshaft. I only had a little space between the head and the exhaust housing, so I ended up cutting the drive shaft with a hacksaw. Turned the head upside down, and soaked the spline for days with PB Blaster. Finally got it apart. Found the same motor with a blown head and Frankensteined them into a new motor.

[Goin'Deep]

Grady,

Old Bateman is exactly right. That's something similiar to how I had to get mine fixed. Give me a call before you do anything, as I have a guy that can do it for a LOT less.

[Gradyman]

Thanks guys...will do. They mentioned 16 hours labor...I think that included lunch and nap times or something? I'm just really frustrated over this...I kept that friggin thing spotless.

[kmoose]

Hmmmmmmm, getting things apart that are stuck is almost pleasure for me. I guess it all depends on how much stuff you are willing to tear up in the process. I believe you can remove the guts out of the lower unit through the hub entrance, although now you might tear up the water pump housing pulling the driveshaft through. Once you had access to the drive shaft a big slide hammer could be attatched possibly. A good point was brought up about inverting the motor to add a freeing lubricant. I think this may be the key and also isolate any damage to just the motor and not the boat along with it.
A lot can be said about the use of hydrolic jacks and chains. Pull rams can be rented and used to apply a mostly irresistable force to a chained down powerhead. Bleed or blister, something will happen..........what do you have to lose if you are considering scrapping the motor? I wish I lived closer. Good luck

[WreckDiver]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Hmmmmmmm, A lot can be said about the use of hydrolic jacks and chains. Pull rams can be rented and used to apply a mostly irresistable force to a chained down powerhead. Bleed or blister, something will happen..........what do you have to lose if you are considering scrapping the motor? I wish I lived closer. Good luck

Now that sounds like fun.

[Gradyman]

Thanks Moose...I think it would be a fun job to tackle with the right tools! They said they did gut the lower unit, but I haven't seen it yet...they mentioned something about taking apart the reverse gear and trying to free the shaft that way??? I've got the name of a guy who will "preform the operation" by cuttiing the lower unit & inverting the engine (thanks to Chase, spearboard member!!!). He's the first call in the morning so hopefully after talking to him I'll be on the hunt for a lower unit.

[filet&release]

Grady,

Sorry, its worse than expected.
I have a top notch Yamaha guy, Don Edmiston @ Chain of lakes
marine. It's in Sanford, Might be a little far for you. 407-330-0900.
He's worked on my boat for the past ten years. "truly honest" mechanic
only will fix whats wrong and has connections on used motors.

good luck !

Filet&release

[Freedro]

So your problem is that the upper end of the splined driveshaft is stuck in the lower end of the crankshaft, right? I just pulled out my Yamaha shop manual, and there is no way in hell that pulling anything from the prop-shaft end is going to do any good, because you've got a drive shaft housing which holds the drive shaft needle bearing bolted down on top of a flange on the driveshaft (not to mention a water pump impeller, cartridge, and housing bolted down on top of that). In other words, the only way to pull the driveshaft from the lower unit is to pull the lower unit from the powerhead first. If there is enough room to get in between the lower unit and the drive-shaft housing above, then the obviously least espensive and least damaging option would be to cut the drive shaft just as Old Bateman has suggested.

Was there a problem with the lower unit when you took the boat in, or were you just taking it in for service including a water pump?

[Gradyman]

Freedro...you hit the nail on the head and they ruined a great relationship with me...I'll never set foot in that place again. Went and got the boat yesterday...had to give up the $75 for thier seek and destroy manuver bull to get the boat off the lot. Should've had Moose and a few of you guys go with me.

Engine goes to the real 'doctor' on April 1st or so. The plan is the cut and inverse deal while keeping my fringers crossed in prayer that the crank shaft is not damaged. Labor for this job was quoted at $250 to $400 from Chase's man Bruce in Palatka. If all goes well I'll only need a lower unit.

I found a guy in Stuart named Gordon through MDSpear (Wade) and thanks to that he's checking on a low hour mint 99 225 Yamaha for around $3500. This is the backup plan...any input from you guys is well appriciated.

[Freedro]

Gradyman,

Did they trash the lower unit? I need just a lower unit case for a 225.

[Freedro]

One more question. Is this the same shop that did your last water pump job? If so, then they are responsible for not greasing the top of the driveshaft or using the proper grease. That's how I feel about it anyway. I've pulled my lower unit on my 225 four times, and I've never had a probelm getting it off. Getting that splined shaft to slip back in on re-installation is another thing altogether - now that takes some patience and talent.

[Grin]

After beating the hell out of my lower unit, on one of my 225 yams to get it off there. Which finally was a success. Same situation with the shaft stuck in the crank. I asked my Yam mechanic what the deal was, and he told me he never has issues with them. He said sometimes they fire the engine up with the bolts all out to get it to drop. It sounds like a actual good idea and like it would probably work, but possibly could be dangerous as hell also. Maybe put longer bolts in so when it drops it doesn't spin is what I was thinking. Don't say I told you to do it! I'm just saying what they told me. Mine slowly dropped as I beat the living hell out of it and used wedges. There were more than a few decent lower units on EBAY. I thought I might need one, but saved it. If the unit is bad then cutting it appart and using a slide hammer to get the shaft out of the crank might be a idea. Sounds like alot of work though!

[Ironhed]

If you need any extra help call me I will come out even if it is to get the cold beers palatka isn't that far for me to go.

[Gradyman]

Freedro - I don't think they ruined it, but there was a descent amount of metal shars bouncing around in there. The dealer in Edgewater were the last to do the work on it in Aug of 04 and when I brought it up to the little piss ant helper behind the desk he told me it should've be done every year and that I was six months late in doing that...so he felt they were off the hook...at that point it was all I could do to turn my back and not give him a right hook to the jaw. It still pisses me off, but I keep letting it go and forgiving so that I don't loose sleep...I know he ain't loosing any. Besides there is a much bigger guy looking out for me and I just got to believe that I've got better things ahead. Anyway, enough of that...Freedro if you want to come by and look at the housing your welcome to...I don't know if photos would tell enough of the story.

Grin I may get antsy waiting for April to roll around and try that idea...would that further damage things if the splins are out of sync on the shafts?...the last thing I want to do is cause more damage becuase of impatience. The guy I'm taking it to wanted to try a few things before he cuts, so I think I'll leave it up to him...he's done 4 or 5 just like this in the past few years.