Yamaha F30/F40 drive shaft bushing

[Yabadabadoo]

Not much info online about this so thought I’d post.

Starting issues with F30 symptoms are a clunk and no turnover.

To me felt like a seize but went through electric connections, grounds, battery condition, starter motor operation.

Was then either head gasket or rusted gearbox.

Turns out to be a collapsed drive shaft bushing with plastic collar melted onto driveshaft about 8” up from the water pump housing.

Unclear if outboard can run without it - anecdotally it can, new parts on order if they can go back up and stay there without movement they will. Photo of remains attached, some of that is boat yard gravel, but also bit of exhaust housing corrosion.

The bushing is fitted to stop the shaft from ‘whipping’. Could see that might happen with XL shaft, not so much with the Long shaft I have. Most online comments say Yamaha put it there for a reason.

[Yabadabadoo]

[Yabadabadoo]

[willk]

Out of curiosity, what year is your engine and do you have some indication of hours and service history, home or otherwise?

[Yabadabadoo]

Engine year label 2008

Previous owner tells me timing belt changed 2-3 years back. Otherwise serviced circa 2020/21 by them is what they said.

Full service by me July 22 struggled to remove gearbox then now I know why.

Remaining repairs:
Leak on tilt/trim
Gearbox seals
Rust on trim motor housing
New fuel / water separator
General clean up and grease

[Yabadabadoo]

No idea of hours.

Finding that unicorn engine and owner didn’t happen this time.

It’s been re-sprayed.


A guess of hours:

2008 engine

10 trips a year (bit of fishing/recreation)

4 hours per trip

40 hours a year

15 years x 40 hours = 600 engine hours.

[willk]

Thanks Yabadabadoo, that's detailed info for sure. I asked because I was considering one and didn't want to take on a known issue. To be fair, it sounds like yours had seen some uncertain action before you got involved so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. It looks like you have given it a good going over now - should be fine for long enough