Assuming it’s still under warranty, I would park it at the dealer and tell them to call you when it’s fixed.

 

I’m not a professional boat mechanic but I did stay at the Holiday Inn once. That’s enough to tell me that the oil has a trail leading to the leak…

 

I've tried to trace back the leak but neither myself or the dealer (twice now for them) have not been able to locate the leak. Yamaha is starting to take the stance of "since the dealer can't replicate...there's no issue". So now situation is dealer is basically blaming Yamaha for not wanting to do anything. Neither party is wanted to own up and acknowledge the issue. Guess I'll have to make another long run fishing trip and drop it off at dealership right after so it can leak oil all over their driveway!

 

Your Yamaha mechanic is a parts changer, not a mechanic. He would do as suggested above with the leak trace. Even all purpose flour will work. Just make sure to blow it off with dry air before washing it again. Don’t need to bake bread on the run out.

Also, if they deny it again, pull her skirt off, bust it off on a hose and let it idle for an hour or two, checking for a source. Video it and demand more warranty out of Yamaha for their negligence.

 

I have a suggestion for you. Clean the engine, then spray with leak tracing powder especially around oil filter, drain plug, sending unit, and very carefully around fill hole and dip stick. This is common practice in the aviation industry. You can imagine how far a few drops can spread with aircraft speed, but this will usually help find the source. Talcum powder as an alternative but harder to disperse.

 

Yamaha can be total azzhokes. Take to another dealer - all dealers don’t have same skill set. Or , since under warranty , run until it breaks ( you have documentation on previous service visits ) . I have had to deal with them before ….

 

Yamaha can be total azzhokes. Take to another dealer - all dealers don’t have same skill set. Or , since under warranty , run until it breaks ( you have documentation on previous service visits ) . I have had to deal with them before ….

My suggestion also. They might not want to find an oil leak when they could just hang a new 200 on it after you blow it up. Sucks that that might be 50 miles offshore, but mix a drink and ease on in.


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This is probably what the problem is and the reason your dealer and Yamaha want to sit on their hands.

 

Fishingcajun post is probably correct why they are uncooperative. They may have a good idea what is causing the leak but do not want to take the time to check as they need to remove the powerhead and possibly damage something. Also the mechanics will burn more hours than they are allowed to charge as this seems like a no shortcut inspection. They are probably too busy doing the easy "replacing parts" jobs. One DIY inspection option is to check for fresh residual engine oil near the shaft shown in the video. Run the engine a planning speed on the water for several minutes to get the pressure up. Then tape a section of white paper towel to the end of a screw driver and poke around shaft until you find fresh engine oil spots on the towel, which are easily recognized. Even a few drops will show up.

If you find something, then go to the dealer. Keep in mind that you can eventually go to social media and start naming names. It is always a good idea to create a video record of the boat and engine before you leave it at the shop.

Bottom line is that this small leak will eventually be a big leak and a low oil failure 80 miles out

I am upset and this is not even my boat.

 

Thanks all for the feedback. Just an update, as suspected the dealer is stating "poor breakin" and "overheated" caused the issue and using that as an excuse to get out of the warranty. Engine has never overheated. The intake has been plugged with seaweed before cause alarm to "think" it was overheating but temp never got above normal. Pretty obvious why Yamaha puts the last 8 hours of break in on the consumer just so that they can say it wasn't done properly and get out of these types of warranty claims. Total corporate BS. Dealer says they could not reproduce the leak so of course Yamaha declined the claim and both basically saying there is no issue or was caused by me. I told dealer as soon as next leak occurs (after long run I'm sure) they need to come inspect. We will see how that goes. At any rate, even if leak is found they will probably revert back to break in and try to put it on me so lawyers may have to get involved at that point. I'm going to do as some suggested above and video future inspections to start building a case. This was the exact quote on receipt from dealer
"This unit has been overheated. It was overheated previously to the last submission. This could mean that the adapter plate or the midsection parts are compromised and the unit will only leak after high temps are gained after a long solid run. Thus expanding the metal. Just a possible explanation".
So they think they know what the issue is but did nothing to resolve it. Like I said, giving them one more chance to inspect after next leak and make it right or getting a lawyer and blasting the dealer on social media.
Sucks we live in a world where you buy something brand new, pay out the *** for it, doesn't function as intended and warranties seem about useless! Anyone know any good lawyers for a situation like this???

 

Have you contacted Yamaha ? Try to over ride / go around current mechanic . These are the numbers used before. I’ll bet a $ they have a bulletin out on other motors of same “lot/ model” doing same. Remember you’re dealing with California with motherland owner in Japan

(866) 894-1626
(800) 353-5900

 

Oil UV dye makes finding leaks quick and easy
The kit consists of a fluorescent dye that glows under ultraviolet light. So, once it's circulated into your engine's oil system, you should be able to trace the leak by shining a UV flashlight around suspected areas. Most local auto parts stores carry products like these for detecting leaks. Additionally, most of them have a kit that also includes UV glasses and a UV flashlight.

 

Just a follow up to this old thread in case anyone is interested. I had a second Yamaha dealer diagnose my oil leak and they found it. It was a warped Exhaust Guide Adapter Plate. They chalked the warping up to an overheating event recorded on the computer back when the engine had 52 hours. I have run it a lot and now have 300 hours. No issues but the continued oil leak. The engine is still under Yamaha's Extended Warranty but at first they tried to deny to cover the claim under the warranty. I emailed some of the executives at Yamaha Marine USA and politely asked that they reconsidered and why and since it appears the warping and leaking started when the engine was still under the base warranty, they agree to pay for the parts at least. So I will be paying the $1500 in labor but at least have piece of mind that the engine is fixed when I'm 80 miles offshore!! Good luck this season everyone!