so i’ve got a 300HP yamaha. it only has 200hours on it and i put 100 on it just last year. I’ve noticed when cold start up i can hear the valves tap for a few seconds until the oil pump pumps oil to top of engine. i changed my oil and same thing. i don’t remember this happening with the 2006 mercury 115 or the 2003 yamaha 225 we use to have(although that was a long time ago and i was younger then and probably didn’t care).
is this normal? does all the oil drain dry? I cringe every time i start up for the first time of a day. And yes i use the correct yamaha oil etc… it only does it on first crank of the day. i wonder if some of you have this happen too?
Its common in those Yamahas, not a worry because it just started.
Yamaha recommends setting the valve clearances at 100 hours (which I suspect never got done, no big deal really), and again at 300 I think, but look it up and don’t quote me on it.
But most likely you need to have someone remove the valve covers and have the tolerances re-set. Its not a big deal.
While they are in there make sure they change the anodes that are under the valve cover while they are in there,THIS IS IMPORTANT as it very likely wasn’t done at the 100 hour either.
Its just some valve chatter that you are hearing until the oil gets pumped up and circulates into the top of the motor.
Like I said, not a fishing trip or a joy ride killer, but I’d look into it sooner than later.
and remember, outboard advice on the internet is worth what you pay for it, so theres that .
best of luck
EF