I just purchased a Scout 222 Sportfish with a Yamaha F-150. The motor currently has about 20 hours on it. I’ll be taking it in for it’s 20 hour service next week after an afternoon watching the tall ships sail. Hanckel says that 30 hours is when I should get the “20 hour” service.
When the motor is cold, it seems to idle a bit rough at times and every so often stall when putting a load on the motor - usually in reverse. After a few minutes it’s fine. That doesn’t sound too abnormal, but I had a Suzuki 150 on my previous boat and it NEVER did anything like that, although I didn’t get that boat until the motor had about 70 hours on it. Is this normal for a “young” engine?
Now this is where I’m more troubled. I’ll be out at Morris Island, bow on the beach, motor full up for about 3-4 hours. I’ll go to leave, put the motor in the water, and turn they key and it won’t turn over. I’ll crank it for 5-10 seconds… nothing… wait a few, crank again… it’s trying… nothing… wait a few… finally… but running very rough… stall… crank again… rough, I quickly rev up and it smooths out and I can resume idle. Once it’s warm, no problem. I don’t have any problem starting the motor when first launching for the day at the ramp. What’s the difference?
BTW- I did take it to Hanckel and they ran the motor and couldn’t get it to stall. No problem starting and the motor idles at 600rpm. When running rough i’ll see it go between 500 and 600 rpm.
I’ve got the same motor and have experienced the first problem frequently but never the second. I’ve never really worried that much about it as it just happens when I’m pulling the boat off of the trailer and never happens a second time in a row. The 2nd problem I’ve never dealt with but that sounds like something that could get worse to me. Wish I could offer more help.
Every boat I’ve ever been on with these motors does this for some reason.
They aren’t going to stall at the shop without backpressure from being in the water and pushing the prop.
Seems to happen when shifting between forward-N-reverse very often.
De-carbing the engine and having a tune up seems to make it a little better, but all I can say is these motors (the F150’s) just seem to all have this issue once they get some hours on them. Very very very annoying.
I’m not a mechanic, but I have some thoughts on your second problem. Sounds like a fuel system issue if your engine is tuned up and serviced properly. Check the clear fuel filter on the front of the engine under the cowling and also your fuel water separator mounted on the boat somewhere. If you don’t have a fuel water separator that’s got a 10micron filter in it, that could be your problem. Also, when this cranking problem happens, check your fuel line primer bulb to check that fuel is still in the line and hasn’t been affected somehow by the heat and fuel vapor after sitting in the sun or something weird like that. You may need a new fuel primer bulb if the valve inside it isn’t working quite right.
First, I’d call the shop and get it on the record that the motor is not right.
Then, I’d keep a video camera of some sort with me. Most cell phones can do short vids, but, the better the video the better your message. Next time it acts up, video it.
Then, take the boat w/ video to the shop and ask them to make it right.
Spending ten of thousands of $$$ to get a boat that won’t start is unsat’. in my book. I’m not implying anything bad about Hanckels. The times I’ve dealt with them they’ve been good.
PS - Only use it inshore until you’re sure it is right.
PSS - Make sure your TowboatUS or SeaTow membership is current.
for 2nd issue…battery maybe??? could have a slow drain somewhere from electronics, etc. that is the only thing that I can think of that would make sense of it cranking fine when you launch and not later. You would think bad fuel or a clogged filter would effect it when you launch.
Drop it off at Hankel or get them to come do a sea trial with you. They are good folks there and I am sure they will get it taken care of.
for 1st issue…i have Yammy 225’s and i have never had that problem. if it runs fine after it warms up i wouldn’t worry about it. maybe let the engine run for 2 minutes before you pull off the trailer. i never leave my dock until i let the engines run for 2-3 minutes at idle.
Don’t think it’s the battery. The starter seems strong and I have two batteries isolated from each other with a voltage sensitive relay that only joins the circuits when charging and only after the starter battery circuit reaches over 13.6 volts.
I have little doubt that Hanckel will make it right, just hoping to get some more input from any of you who have experienced anything like this. Thanks for everyone’s response, I think the video idea is spot on. I think Phin is on the right track with a fuel supply problem. The 2nd issue seems like it’s fuel starved. I haven’t tried the bulb or anything but might next time. My Suzuki always started on the first turn of the key everytime, I’m hoping to get the same performance from the yamaha. Thanks again.