Yamaha corrosion issues

[ratherbefishin]

The guide I go fishing with repowered with YAMAHA 225 4 stroke  five years ago-he does not abuse his equipment, it is regularly dealer serviced,and has 300 hours on the meter.Last week it missed a couple of times and he pulled the plugs-the top plug was heavily corroded and white-an indication of salt water.The dealer took it in,changed the plugs and fluids and ran it in a tank-but without any problems.They thought it might be a head gasket or a warped head.

My friend took it out and ran it for a couple of hours-pulled the new plugs-again-the top plug was white with corrosion.The dealer has now determined it is a salt water corrosion issue-and to correct it they need a new head which is going to cost $3900-plus installation.These motors should last far longer than 300 hours-especially with regular dealer maintenance.I believe this is a design flaw[Yamaha does not acknowlege it-but has changed the anti corrosion coatings on post 2005 models]

Has anybody else experianced similar problems ,and what did Yamaha do about it?

[Empty Quiver]

He ought to collect all his maintenance records and reciepts and speak with a factory rep. I would certainly not go into it with attitude, but surely ask if this is to be expected and ask for some relief. The dealer may or may not be of help here. I would include them initially for sure if for no other reason than to verify the maintenance. Don't give up to easy, but realize if the warranty is up, it is up.

[ratherbefishin]

yes the warrenty is up-but there is another issue and that is once a product becomes known for having a problem, all the advertising in the world won't bring people in the door with their chequebook out to buy another one. any product can have a failure or design flaw-but what the company does about it determines how the customer feels as he leaves-and who he talks too.The days are gone when product problems could  be confined-the very fact I am here talking to you is proof of that-plus everyone else reading it.I always tell the dealer when I come in with a problem they are going to buy some advertising, but whether it is positive or negative is going to depend on how I am treated.

[Empty Quiver]

All true, and the reason I say to make sure Yamaha is contacted directly. The dealer may or may not care if you get some relief here. You might get so mad you buy a new Merc from him. So sad, a big sale for him. Few dealers are tied to only one brand. Alternatively Yamaha does help, but the agreement with the warranty centers ends up paying about 20% less because parts are not marked up when sold to you. Again less incentive to the dealer to pursue your problems. All my scenarios may be false, I'm not familiar with the marine power business.

Good Luck to you.

[ratherbefishin]

He got the outboard back from the dealer-it required a new head,the old one was eaten right through.The dealer cut the bill by $900-but it still cost him $5000,and thats just for one head-and if one is gone, the other is likely in the same condition-seriously corroded so he has a potential bill of $10,000 -about 50% of what he paid for the motor.From what I have been able to ascertain,this motor should have been good for 4000 hours,he got less than 10% of that before a major breakdown.I also want to emphacise, this motor was bought brand new and serviced regularly by the dealer.One thing I don't know and we are going to try and find out was ,were the internal engine anodes checked during the regular annual servicing?
Next we are going to go to the factory rep with the service records,and the bill for replacing the head.The way I see it is if he only got 10% of the use fromthis motor-then Yamaha should make it right with him and pay for a significant portion of the repair-plus check the other head.The question we will be putting to them is''would you be happy paying $20,000 for a brand new motor,run and service it according to factory specs  and have it break down and require major repairs in less than 10% of the expected life?''

[gypsyman]

NO, but you just convinced me, when I look at a different boat down the road, what engine I will not own. gypsyman