Yamaha Salt Water Series Dependability

[BuzzardHead]

Recently purchased a used boat with 2001 Yamaha 250hp Salt Water Series motors. Still see a good number on the water. Any info, advise, suggestions on dependability, special servicing and quirkeness to keep me from sitting dead in the water would be very very much appreciated.

[eddy2419]

Do a search here. A lot of good advice. The general thoughts are they run like iron.

[Spooled]

2002 ox66 497 hrs not a hiccup
yamalubed & ringfreed every fillup

[BuzzardHead]

Originally Posted by Spooled

2002 ox66 497 hrs not a hiccup
yamalubed & ringfreed every fillup

Never have used additives in the past, sounds like the right thing to do. The motors only have 103 hours on them so its probley not to late to start.

[wadepscott]

I had a set of these on my 27 Contender. Probably one of the best outboards ever built. They are not very good on fuel but they make up for it in dependability. Can't go wrong with these motors. Just make sure that you have them inspected by a qualified outboard mechanic before you buy. Good Luck !

[Angr-Management]

Running a pair now on 27 Contender just like stated they love gas and oil but are very dependable.Other than o2 sensor,vst filters and replacing the diaphram pumps no major issues now have a little over 2700hrs on them and compression is still very good.

[lostsinker]

No issues with mine. I do use ringfree with every fillup.

[Getn Busy Livn]

A little under 900 on my twin 200's .... still running strong (knocking on wood LOL)

[EODContender]

I had 2500 on mine bfore I repowered with HPDI's. There was nothing wrong with them...I just wanted more range and economy. They are still alive and well down in Trinidad.

[JB2C]

Don't have 250's but do have OX66's. Fantastic motors. I have no hour gauge, so no idea of the hours. But I've had them for 7 years now and still going strong. I boat year round, so they never sit unstarted for more than 2-3 weeks max. I use regular ol West Marine oil and no ringfree or other additives. Changed O2 sensor and VST filter once, just as part of maintenance, not a problem. I do change the plugs about once/year. And I decarb them every 6 months. That's it in 7 years. I'm obviously a huge fan. Better go find some wood to knock on!

Good luck.

[BuzzardHead]

Thanks everyone for the feed back, info is very appreciated. Thinking maybe I should be picking up some oil stock!

[flyboy911]

Great Motors! Best 2 stroke's made in my opinion. Keep up on the service and you will get many years of strong service. Hot rods for sure. Hard to justify the cost to repower with good running OX66's. If you can be cool on the throttle the fuel burn wont sting as bad! 2 Pair's on the last 2 boats we owned and never a hiccup!!!!!!! Good luck!

[Bly]

After being stupid enough to move up from my 2000 ox66 to a hpdi{BOOM!} what a pos. I am not even impressed with a F225 that I now own compared to the ox66. I am talking dependability not just performance. Its tough to put a ox66 to death. Only stupid Yamaha factory could!

[John_Madison CT]

I hope I'm not jinxing myself, but these are fantastic engines. (I have an '01 250hp Ox66)

Tough to beat their record of reliability. Most (not all) problems are relativly simple. (VST filters, Low pressure pumps,etc.)

[dssmith]

Originally Posted by BuzzardHead

Thanks everyone for the feed back, info is very appreciated. Thinking maybe I should be picking up some oil stock!

I have that very motor. Two times into the shop for O2 Sensor cleaning issues. Recently had to replace all the fuel pumps. (3)

This over four years and 550hrs now. Other than the fuel pump issues this spring, the last 300 hrs have been trouble free.

I like my motor. Good power when prop is correct.

[DreamWeaver21]

Originally Posted by Bly

After being stupid enough to move up from my 2000 ox66 to a hpdi{BOOM!} what a pos. I am not even impressed with a F225 that I now own compared to the ox66. I am talking dependability not just performance. Its tough to put a ox66 to death. Only stupid Yamaha factory could!

I think it was actually the government with their CARB ratings that ended the OX66.

[Rhumboogie]

Different size but I can confirm dependability., I have motor professionally serviced each spring as I am not good with mechanical stuff. I pay a bit for that, but have NEVER broken down. My prior boat a a frigging FICHT which only blew up once in each of its two seasons- finally sunk at the dock- a truly blessed event- my insurance totalled the whole business at far more than the boat withj an exploding engine was worth.

[ARCHSEA BUNKER]

they eat low pressur fuel pumps, other than that and vst filter, they are the best 2 stroke made

[flkeysbkcountry]

Originally Posted by BuzzardHead

Recently purchased a used boat with 2001 Yamaha 250hp Salt Water Series motors. Still see a good number on the water. Any info, advise, suggestions on dependability, special servicing and quirkeness to keep me from sitting dead in the water would be very very much appreciated.

Ditto everything that has been said mechanically and reliability. Cannot justify replacing them with new 4 strokes, 650 hours.

[dpowell]

Built like a tank, mine just runs and runs and runs. As was said earlier, I can't justify a new engine when this one won't quit!