1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

[hawk232]

Just bought a Hewes bayfisher with a 97 yamaha 90 on it. Compression check came back at 98-95-100, so i continued on with the inspection. Once in the water I noticed smoke and water dumping from the front of the motor. I pulled the cowl off and looked and didnt see anything inside the cowl. The water is dumping down the midsection behind the skirt. I assumed it to be a base gasket or something similar but was hoping for some insight before i go tearing into it...

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

update: it only does it in the water, not on the hose. with the skirt removed i can see that it is coming from where the steering tiller orginates. ideas?

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

nobody??

 

[robert graham]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

Mine is a 1999 Yamaha 90HP very similar to yours and while it's running in the water it seems like water is coming out from several different locations on the motor, including the front area. So I can't really tell you if there's a problem with your motor, but I kinda doubt it. When you drop the lower unit to replace the water pump, check around the water tube that runs from the pump up to the powerhead to be sure it's tight, secure and the rubber grommet is in place. If your tell-tale pee stream is good and your motor isn't overheating then that's a good indication everything is O.K. Good Luck!

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

hmm i guess its possible that its supposed to do that... i just have trouble believing that they would design it such that this much smoke is coming out of the front!!

 

[robert graham]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

hmm i guess its possible that its supposed to do that... i just have trouble believing that they would design it such that this much smoke is coming out of the front!!

Maybe some of the smoke is steam/water vapor? Might appear more due to outside temperature and humidity conditions? When my 90HP is idling at the dock, it's spitting water, vapor and exhaust from several locations...2 stroke motors!....I doubt you have a problem, but you can easily drop the lower unit to inspect everything...make yourself feel better about it! Good Luck!

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

ill take a quick vid of it tomorrow, i really cant imagine this is normal. i have looked at other motors at the launch and none of them seem to be smoking from the front like that...

 

[robert graham]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

You can easily drop the lower unit to inspect for anything not right, while you're there do your new water pump kit! I'll be interested in your video/photos....Good Luck!

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

well the water/smoke is coming from the tiller arm at the base of the powerhead.... not really sure what the lower unit would have to do with that. It has a new waterpump in it too...

here is the vid

 

[robert graham]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

I see from your video the water coming from the tiller arm area and agree that it seems to be a unique problem. I would definitely drop the lower unit and check the aluminum water tube that runs from the water pump up to the powerhead. Maybe it's corroded or not installed correctly and spraying water up where it's not supposed to be? Otherwise you may have to remove the entire powerhead to troubleshoot it. Good Luck and let us know what you find!

 

[99yam40]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

Definitely exhaust coming out.
Maybe exhaust tuner has a hole corroded through it or like you said a gasket

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

update: pulled the powerhead yesterday to check things out. gasket was too corroded/torn apart from pulling the powerhead to make any sense of it. removed all traces of old gasket and put it back together and it still leaks just as bad... there were no corrosion holes in the base of the powerhead or the exhaust plate but i did neglect to verify the surfaces to be flat and true. has anyone ever used sealant on a powerhead gasket before? I am thinking when I take it apart again I will go back with a thin coat of RTV...

 

[mphelle8vld]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

If you pull it apart again, take a look at the gasket, item 6 in this parts breakdown.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Outboard/1997/90TLRV/UPPER CASING/parts.html

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

If you pull it apart again, take a look at the gasket, item 6 in this parts breakdown.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Outboard/1997/90TLRV/UPPER CASING/parts.html

I will be pulling it apart again... The only problem with #6 is that if it were leaking, it would not becoming out of the the tiller area of the plate. that gasket is below the plate with no holes or access to the top of the plate... the local dealership (parts guy) seems to think I might have a corroded hole in the base of the powerhead or in the plate. I already have some marine tex so that would be an easy fix

 

[mphelle8vld]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

What is the "plate" you are referring to? Do you mean the exhaust guide, item 5? Maybe use the same diagrams and give the item number.

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

What is the "plate" you are referring to? Do you mean the exhaust guide, item 5? Maybe use the same diagrams and give the item number.

Yea, # 5, the "guide". Merc calls them exhaust adapter plates, I apologize for the confusion

 

[mphelle8vld]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

I think that casting will turn out to be the problem, I've had a Pro50 motor that had a crack near the bolts that retain the rubber grommets. The crack wasn't deep enough to allow exhaust and water to escape the midsection but since that casting carries so much weight and stress I replaced it. When you pull it apart, remove the pan, and the mounting grommet assembly to look for cracks or holes.

 

[hawk232]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

well to update this thread, after pulling the powerhead and looking for holes blown gaskets, reassembling, problem still there pulling apart again and removing midsection as well i finally noticed that there is a what on the midsection between the exhaust compartmend and the driveshaft/wp compartment... seemed a little oily. went and looked at the LU and there was nothing seperating these areas. closer inspection revealed a recess where it looked like a seal should go, once glance at the parts diagram confirmed it. $20 for seal and mounting plate and the problem is solved. I had never worked on a yammi before i bought this one, so i didnt know that there was supposed to be a seal there... sure would have saved me alot of time so hopefully someone else will read this before tearing theirs apart to the extent i tore mine down!!

 

[robert graham]

Re: 1997 yammie 90 smoke and water out of the front of the motor??

Glad you got it fixed!...it does seem like this is a fairly rare problem, but folks on here will be glad to use your experience for future needs. In the mean time you've become a bit of an expert on this particular problem....good luck and thanks!

 

[vb1720]

Hello everyone, does anyone know what seal hawk is referring to specifically? i seem to be having the exact same problem and would like to know the best way to access the seal that was replaced.