Yamaha 60 issues

[born2climb]

I bought a 2004 G3 Gator Tuff 1756 SC last year from a friend who bought it new. It came with a Yamaha 60 4-stroke, which had 22.5 hours on it when I bought it. It had set up for about seven years before he sold it to me. He took the tank out and flushed it thoroughly before selling me the boat, and cranked it with muffs to make sure it was good to go. The very first time I took it fishing, it ran great for about 20 minutes, then began to cut out at half-throttle or higher. I’d take off the fuel filter and shake it out, blowing it out best I could, put it back it, and go for a few minutes before repeating. Once I got home I washed the filter bowl out good, and blew the filter out with the air compressor. It ran fine after that. I replaced the fuel filter with a new one a few months ago. 
 

Fast-forward to today. Took my wife out for a ride on the lake, and it began to cut out terribly. Removed/checked fuel filter. It looked fine. It will run fine for about 15-20 minutes, then cut out again. I’m wondering if I need to remove the pickup unit from the tank and clean or replace it. And possibly replace the fuel lines. Anyone got an idea what may be causing this? Motor looks nearly new other than a couple of the letters peeling from sun. It’s been stored under cover its whole life. I’m confident it can’t be anything serious, but don’t care to waste time/money chasing the wrong fix. 

[airshot]

when it begins to stumble, have you tried squeezing the primer ball on the fuel line ?  Never hurts to do a thorough tank cleaning and Mabey do a pressure test on the fuel pump. 

[born2climb]

The fuel filter is always full. I have squeezed the bulb, wondering if fuel line collapse might be the issue. Can’t tell it helped. I saw earlier today that some fuel lines have a “liner” that can separate and cause blockage. One resident contemplated replacing the fuel line. Also wondering if the fuel pump might be suspect. Twenty years old with very little use. 

[GaryH]

I would start by checking fuel tank, fuel lines, carburetor, plugs. 

[born2climb]

I’m thinking it’s fuel injected, so no carb there. I was going to ask if the injectors could be the issue. How could the plugs produce this effect?

[GaryH]

4 hours ago, born2climb said:

I’m thinking it’s fuel injected, so no carb there. I was going to ask if the injectors could be the issue. How could the plugs produce this effect?

I was more talking about the engine that was sitting for years, not just your issue.

[gim]

Spark plugs?

 

I had this issue with my Merc 75 hp 4-stroke a few years ago.  I could feel it losing power when I was on plane.  It would "shudder" while I was cruising.  New spark plugs fixed it.

 

Also, what kind of gasoline have you been using in it?  If it sat around for a while with ethanol, that can cause issues and its well documented.  Try to use ethanol free gas if you are able to.

[born2climb]

I always use non-ethanol in my boats. Not sure 🤔 if the previous owner did. He flushed the tank thoroughly before I bought it. It cranked and ran like a champ the first few times I ran it. 

[born2climb]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

Spark plugs?

 

I had this issue with my Merc 75 hp 4-stroke a few years ago.  I could feel it losing power when I was on plane.  It would "shudder" while I was cruising.  New spark plugs fixed it.

 

Also, what kind of gasoline have you been using in it?  If it sat around for a while with ethanol, that can cause issues and its well documented.  Try to use ethanol free gas if you are able to.

Did it shudder every time, or intermittently? Mine will run just fine for 10-15 minutes, then sputter and die. Crank right back up, run thirty seconds, sputter and die again, then might crank and run fine for ten minutes and then repeat the whole process all over again. I was thinking if it were a plug issue, it wouldn’t run right for the length of time it does. Can bad plugs yield a variable result?

[king fisher]

Start wit the simple things.  Make sure your fuel tank is vented, try a new fuel line, and fuel filter.  It might also be the connection on either the end going in to the motor or the one going into the fuel tank.  Sometimes the seal goes bad on the connections, and will start to suck air.  The motor will run fine at first then start to cut out.  I would  barrow a separate fuel tank, and hose from someone to check before buying new parts.  It wouldn't hurt to check and make sure your kill switch clip is on tight.  I would expect your problem is fuel related, but as others have said it could be plugs, or even an over heating issue.

[born2climb]

I’m confident it’s not heat-related as it cut out yesterday after less than two minutes on plane. I’ve been researching what all it could be. Planning to start with pulling the pick up unit out of the tank when I get home (we’re on a trip now), and check the screen. Then checking line and connections. Then possibly cleaning the injectors. 

[gim]

3 hours ago, born2climb said:

Did it shudder every time, or intermittently? Mine will run just fine for 10-15 minutes, then sputter and die. Crank right back up, run thirty seconds, sputter and die again, then might crank and run fine for ten minutes and then repeat the whole process all over again. I was thinking if it were a plug issue, it wouldn’t run right for the length of time it does. Can bad plugs yield a variable result?

Definitely intermittently. I should clarify that the motor never completely died or lost power. It would just shutter while running on plane.

[born2climb]

Sometimes mine will just shudder, then take off again, sometimes it will shudder and nearly die, I’ll back off on the throttle and it will die. Cranks right back up, sometimes will take off again, sometimes shudder and die once or twice, then crank and take off. It’s never left me stranded, and I’m not that worried about that. But it’s annoying to be zipping along at 30 MPH and suddenly have it die out. 

[Susky River Rat]

This may have been the time frame Yamaha was having issues with their motors in the states due to ethanol. I think corrosion and eating away of the gaskets was common. It’s something you may want to look into. If there is a gasket that has failed it could be creating some of these issues. I do not know the full extent of all this or if your motor would fall into this time frame of issues. 

[born2climb]

Okay…I’ve learned a little something about it. We’ve been staying at a lake house owned by a man I work for from time to time. I’ve had my boat in the water since Sunday, tied up under his boathouse. It set in to raining this morning, and I had a three mile boat ride to the ramp. I got about halfway there and it started shuddering. It was raining pretty good, and I had no desire to sit out in the middle of lake in the rain, so on a whim, I reached and began to pump the bulb. As long as I kept pumping it, the motor would run fine. I did notice that the bulb was not springing back after a squeeze. The bulb is not new by a long shot, but will normally pop right back. My initial thought was fuel pump, as it is 20 years old, and set up for about seven years. However, after the bulb event, I began to suspect pickup screen or fuel line liner. 
 

Any thoughts given this latest discovery?

[born2climb]

It’s till pouring rain so I can’t do much at the moment, but I did lift the cover and look at the tank. The pickup unit has six screws. The gasket it breaking up terribly around the unit, so I know it will have to be replaced. Now I have to ID the pickup unit in order to get a new gasket and possibly screen. Does anyone know what brand uses six screws? Most that I’m seeing have only four. 

[born2climb]

I'm thinking this is the gasket I need, but won't know for sure until I tear into it. It is shaped like this, anyway.

 

https://www.westmarine.com/moeller-mod-plate-gasket-screw-kit-11882727.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=[ADL][PLA] Bury&utm_content=autoag0000x21227124701x11882727&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_lEeqMznS7M6zR5_XWIJIZOZzFB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ZW8wMbAhwMVsDcIBR3NVQ1VEAQYASABEgIp4_D_BwE

[Tim Kelly]

Could be the bulb, they have a non return valve built in I believe and that could be sticking. I think the fuel pick up is lower on the list of possibilities. Personally I'd start with a new fuel line and bulb.

[born2climb]

13 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

Could be the bulb, they have a non return valve built in I believe and that could be sticking. I think the fuel pick up is lower on the list of possibilities. Personally I'd start with a new fuel line and bulb.

And on to the next question....what bulb/line should I get? The last fuel line I bought was like 20 years ago. Just walk in and buy one. No shopping/comparing.

[Tim Kelly]

As long as the fuel line is the right diameter I doubt it matters much, but I would buy a branded bulb, rather than a generic cheapest one, just in the hope that they are actually better. 

[fromthelogo]

I have the same motor on a G3 Pro 175 bass boat and have experienced the same issue intermittently. Where I’m located, I have to run gas with ethanol. Installing a new fuel/water separator seems to resolve the issue. I’m still running the original fuel pump, fuel lines and bulb. 

[Tucson]

Yamaha brand bulb is supposed to be the best available, I've had no issues with them since I switched.  Some of the gray or silver fuel lines have a propensity to delaminate on the inside.  You're going to want a Yamaha bulb anyway, suggesting you swap out the lines also.

 

Good luck, frustrating situation that you're in.

 

[Alex from GA]

I've always used a Mercury bulb.  I'd replace all the fuel lines with USCG approved ones meant for fuel injected engines.

[born2climb]

Looking at this:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00817R87M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1Z03B87ZP7KU9&psc=1

 

Reviews are pretty good. I'm planning to pull the fuel pickup unit, but had to order gasket material to make a gasket, as the old one is in bad shape, and I can't find one like it online.