Yamaha Outboard Oil Systems
Spending time on the water in your small boat, be it on a freshwater lake or through tidewater marshes that experience an influx of saltwater at high tide, starts with making sure your small boat is well prepared and your outboard motor is well maintained. One of the most important systems in this mechanical circuit is the oil system. As you inspect and maintain your Yamaha outboard oil system, keep in mind that regular oil changes and new oil filters will keep your engine working at peak performance.
What kind of oil can you use in Yamaha outboards?Changing the oil at regularly scheduled intervals is a key step in preventing corrosion and breakdown from the exposure to harsh aquatic environmental elements, including water, salt, sand, and plants. The marine formulation you choose will depend on whether you are operating a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine.
It should be noted that you should never use automotive oil in a Yamaha stroke outboard because this type is not formulated for these small-boat oil-filtration systems which differ greatly from automobile oil-filtration systems in these ways:
- Environment in which it is used - Outboard units subjected to aquatic environments rather than atmospheric air only
- Higher RPM output from the outboard unit than from an automobile
- Lower temperature during operation on an outboard compared to an automobile due to the aquatic conditions
- Higher load levels overall on an outboard compared to an automobile
To locate the oil filter, you must first remove the top cowling. Push on the release lever on the rear of the cowling and carefully remove the cowling. As you look at the engine, the oil filter is located in a hard, waterproof housing on the lower left side of the engine.
What is included in an oil change kit?To simplify the process and to guarantee that operators use the correct parts and formulations, these kits include four to five quarts of the correct Yamalube oil, either for a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine, as well as a new oil filter and washers and drain plugs to be used during the job.
When should you change stroke oil on your Yamaha outboard?A glance at your owners manual will tell you the exact specs for when you should flush and change the stroke oil in the system. Most often, it is recommended that it is flushed and changed and the oil filter is replaced within 50-100 hours of use. With a maximum of 100 hours for the lifespan of the oil and filter, you should consider changing it sooner if you operate the engine under challenging conditions.