HELP ASAP PLEASE... 2nd hand Yamaha 50hp wont rev over 1700 rpm, should I buy it?!...

[J@mes]

Hi there,

I looked at a boat I won on ebay today which is meant to be in very good "as new" condition and the engine has only done 44 hours use according to seller/Yamaha tachometer/computer.

The 50hp engine is a 2003 I think, Its in very good condition, well looks wise, looks like new!!

but when we went our for a test drive in it, the boat got onto plane, but would not go faster than 1700rpm (the manual says it should rev to 5500rpm!) in forward gear. In neutral I revved it to 3000rpm but the ebay seller didnt want me to go more than that! The ebay seller is selling it on behalf of someone else, who used the zodiac as a diving boat, it comes with a brand new spare prop, I wonder if that was the original prop and the one fitted is of a different pitch to help pull the boat onto plane when fully loaded with people/diving equipment? But if it did have a lower pitch prop, would this really make the engine only rev to 1700rpm when in gear? like I said it reved to 3000rpm when in neutral.

Does this sound like a major problem? The engine honestly looks in FANTASTIC condition, especially under the hood, and it idles fine (at 400rpm which I thought was low, should be 700-800rpm!) but just didn't rev more than 1700rpm at full throttle!

I am hoping its simply a throttle arm that needs adjusting or something?!

Any help will be greatly appreciated at I am meant to be going back to see the boat tomorrow, and I have actually bought it on ebay, but was told it is "as new condition" so if we cannot work out why its only reving to 1700rpm then I will walk away and tell ebay item not as described if the seller kicks up a fuss!

Thanks for your help,

James.

[Portholme]

Take another viewing and disconnect the throttle linkage from the engine and manually move the throttle on the engine. If its been home maintained or rigged it might be that it's been set up wrong. At least you can discount the engine being wrong of it works manually but not in remotes.

[J@mes]

good idea thanks, don't suppose you have a picture showing what is what? as there a quite a few linkages and I wasn't sure which was which never mind the throttle! =(

[elvis]

Any chance the revometer is miss calibrated, especially as it seems I be idling at around the same ratio lower as the max rev would be?

[benc]

Where are you/the boat based James?

[J@mes]

Originally Posted by elvis

Any chance the revometer is miss calibrated, especially as it seems I be idling at around the same ratio lower as the max rev would be?

Not a chance (I did wonder this for a moment) because my 25hp Yamaha on my boat at WOT has a fair bit more poke than this 50hp Yamaha at 1700rpm. Also it was very obvious the 50hp engine was hardly trying hard at 1700rpm, and it was also very quiet! Not a chance in hell the tacho is out, as in the 1700rpm shown was really 5500rpm!

Originally Posted by benc

Where are you/the boat based James?

Essex (southend) why you ask?

[69cmw]

I had an engine with the same symptoms, it was a knackered stator.

[Jizm]

It's not the safety rev limit cutting in is it? Low oil or over temp.

[humrib96]

Try putting the original prop on it and try that, if she still won't rev, then start to think about the throttle linkage!

[Nos4r2]

Tell them you'll pay full whack if they fix it. Don't go striking deals-you don't know how much it'll cost to fix.

[TomKat]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Tell them you'll pay full whack if they fix it. Don't go striking deals-you don't know how much it'll cost to fix.

2nd that, walk away if its not a 100% deal!

[J@mes]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

I had an engine with the same symptoms, it was a knackered stator.

Whats is the stator? Where is it? and is expensive/hard to fix?

Originally Posted by Jizm

It's not the safety rev limit cutting in is it? Low oil or over temp.

I did wonder that (if it was low on oil, not overheating) so asked about the oil and he pointed out it was full! also the safety rev limit is 2000rpm when the oil is low, not 1700rpm. Not sure about the rev limit when over heating?!

Originally Posted by humrib96

Try putting the original prop on it and try that, if she still won't rev, then start to think about the throttle linkage!

I texted him once I had got home as this thought came in my mind, but no reply regarding the spare brand new prop, whether its different pitch to the one fitted. But I cannot see a different pitch prop really making that much of a difference, as in lowering the revs from 5500rpm to 1700rpm!

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Tell them you'll pay full whack if they fix it. Don't go striking deals-you don't know how much it'll cost to fix.

I will call them tomorrow to say something like that, at the end of the day I don't want a broken engine, especially when it has been advertised as in new condition! It certainly looks new under the hood and outside and only shows 44hours on the Yamaha digital reader, which the manual says cannot be changed! Im hoping its a simple problem that can easily be fixed as I want this boat/engine, but don't want to buy hassle!


Any other ideas people?

Many thanks!

[clydeoutboards]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Tell them you'll pay full whack if they fix it. Don't go striking deals-you don't know how much it'll cost to fix.

PLEASE LISTEN TO THAT ADVICE

it could be many things so walk away if not fixed.

as for your original question, I am guessing it is in get home mode where it will only give you low revs to help prevent other problems.

[treerat]

How strong was the tell tale? I seem to remember that the safe mode kicks in when too hot or low water pressure, low oil level or restricted fuel (could be a manky carb, shagged filter or crimped pipe).

Others have said it - ensure it's working before spending that cash - good luck.

[actions]

How did you get on today with it.

I have to agree with all the advice given that if its not working then walk away. Of course if you know an outboard mechanic that can go with you and take a look it could be a real simple fix, however with all things marine related you could end up spending a small fortune.

There is plenty of choice out there so something else will soon pop up.

[J@mes]

I just emailed them yesterday, saying I wanted the engine fixed, not heard anything back yet!

[Max...]

Originally Posted by J@mes

I just emailed them yesterday, saying I wanted the engine fixed, not heard anything back yet!

Presuming from the spec this is some thousands of £'s you're spending surely you would just ring them up and discuss it??

[J@mes]

I will be speaking to the seller on the phone later today after I have spoken to a few Yamaha dealers to pick their brain, but I wanted everything in writing to back my self up if things go pear shape as its an ebay sale!

[TomKat]

Pay pal may give you some protection.

[SDGANDER]

Originally Posted by Max...

Presuming from the spec this is some thousands of £'s you're spending surely you would just ring them up and discuss it??

But if emailed it is 'in writing' as opposed to but you said/we didn't say type exchanges.

SDG