Pre purchase checkout of 45 hour Yamaha F115TLR (2007)

[swcrass]

So I am looking at a pontoon boat with an F115TLR (2007) engine on it. It has very low hours (45) but as I read through a thread (2007 Yamaha f115tlr issues - http://forums.iboats.com/yamaha-suzuki-outboards/2007-yamaha-f115tlr-issues-421714.html) that describes the issues that that poor maintenance can cause it seems that hours alone doesn't tell the story. What do you recommend as the best way to assure that the engine has been well maintained?

Compression check? Looking for overheating in paint discoloration? etc? I will certainly run it on the water and the buyer is willing to do that, I was just looking for some advice on how in depth of a analysis I should perform to make sure it hasn't got one of the issues mentioned in the thread I reference above.

 

[boscoe99]

Re: Pre purchase checkout of 45 hour Yamaha F115TLR (2007)

Certainly have a compression check performed and get a good visual inspection by a knowledgeable mechanic. If you don't have a good maintenance history then changing the impeller, the thermostat, fuel filters and the oil and oil filter might be in order.

Get rid of the old gas and run it only on known fresh gasoline. Make sure the motor is propped to let the motor turn at or near 6000 WOT. This model does not have a knock sensor and many a pontoon boat has a translucent gasoline tank which can let sunlight reach the gasoline. Degraded gasoline and a high compression motor without a knock sensor being run in an over propped situation can result in havoc.

 

[swcrass]

Re: Pre purchase checkout of 45 hour Yamaha F115TLR (2007)

Finally got this boat on the water today - been pretty cold - Ran well at full throttle (maxed at about 6300 RPM) - After we got back to the dock I ran the compression test (fully warmed up). Cylinders all ran at about 150 PSI +/- 5 psi. Lowest was at 145. Read the service manual that 135 is the low limit. For an engine with very low hours (45) should these readings have been higher?

 

[crb478]

Re: Pre purchase checkout of 45 hour Yamaha F115TLR (2007)

your readings are fine, I would check the fuel filter inside the motor to see if there are any fine particles trapped in there since ethanol gas can dreg trash up with it and the fine particles can plug your injectors. I suspect you have a good solid motor. If you get it I would have it fully serviced unless they have paperwork showing it was recently done. I would also make sure that there is a 10 micron filter between the tank and the motor.

 

[swcrass]

Re: Pre purchase checkout of 45 hour Yamaha F115TLR (2007)

Thanks for all the help. I'll take the actions you note when I take over the boat.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Pre purchase checkout of 45 hour Yamaha F115TLR (2007)

I would suggest you spend an hour labor at a shop that can scan that engine for (1) actual hours and (2) how many hours were run at specific speeds. You should also have the shop drain the lower unit grease looking for water intrusion. Any used motor should be pressure and vacuum tested to make sure the seals are good--a $300 repair if not. Yamaha dealers can also tell you if there were any recall repairs on your motor that were never performed.

Chances are your motor will pass with flying colors. The penalty for not doing your homework could be very expensive if you don't take every effort to checkout your motor.