Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 20-03-2018, 20:17   #1
Moderator
 
Jammer's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Minnesota
Boat: Tartan 3800
Posts: 4,759
Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

My 25' sailboat's engine is a Yamaha 8 HP outboard. Four stroke, high torque gears and oversize lower unit and prop.

When I bought the boat, the seller delivered the outboard in his car. It was on the wrong side, with the tiller side up. He said he knew you weren't supposed to do that but that he didn't want to damage the tiller. Right.

I've had the motor upright on a stand in my garage ever since and went through it this last week, water pump impeller, thermostat, gear oil, motor oil, usual stuff.

There was motor oil everywhere and the flywheel would not turn. Engine was in hydraulic lock due to oil running into the cylinders. Carb bowl was full of oil. I cleaned up the mess and put in new plugs, all OK now.

So, no, don't leave them on the wrong side, because the problems with that are real.
Jammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-03-2018, 21:55   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2008
Boat: Custom cutter, 42'
Posts: 701
Re: Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

Thanks. Helpful story.
Pauls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-03-2018, 06:24   #3
Registered User
 
svHyLyte's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
Images: 25
Re: Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

Good Gravy!!! What'a mess. I'm sure glad we still have our old 2-stroke!
__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
svHyLyte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-03-2018, 07:04   #4
Registered User
 
Bill O's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2015
Boat: Bruce Bingham Christina 49
Posts: 3,328
Re: Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

Well the top end will be well lubed!! Glad you could resurrect it.

Lent a small OB (3 hp Tanaka 2 stroke) to someone and it worked fine when they took it. They threw it into the bottom of the lazarette. When they tried to use it to get to shore, it would run fine, but then wouldn't go in gear or the prop turned slowly. At the time I was perplexed why it didn't work properly, but when I got it back and disassembled it, I found out why.

Apparently my friend had laid the motor over enough to allow the lower gear lube to run up into the shaft soaking the centrifugal clutch pad with oil. It then did not have enough friction engage the shaft drive.

The once trusty motor was now not worth repairing.

Lesson learned was to instruct people that even a 2 stroke needs to be laid down properly. In most cases this is to avoid any residual water from going up into the top end/cylinders as described in the owner manuals.

Bill O.
__________________
Bill O.
KB3YMH
https://phoenixketch.blogspot.com/
Bill O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-03-2018, 08:01   #5
Registered User
 
Colin A's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: East of the river CT
Boat: Oday Mariner 19 , Four Winns Marquis 16 OB, Kingfisher III
Posts: 657
Send a message via Skype™ to Colin A
Re: Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

Yeah 4 strokes are picky. Read the manual and check for stckers before you lay them down. As mentioned 2 strokes less picky but going full upside down can cause issues.
__________________
mysite: Colinism.com
Colin A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-03-2018, 08:48   #6
Registered User

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami Florida
Boat: Ellis Flybridge 28
Posts: 4,057
Re: Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

Is it an industry standard that small four strokes should be laid on the tiller side?
My Lehr Outboards are that way.
__________________
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supplies
HopCar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-03-2018, 09:55   #7
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: California
Boat: Alerion Express 38 Yawl (former)
Posts: 468
Re: Hydraulic lock in 4 stroke outboard left on wrong side

Generally, there are two "feet" on the bottom of the engine cowling that the engine can rest on, and a "this side up" sticker on the opposite side.

I had a similar problem when testing inflatable boats on a California lake. I tried to start a Mercury 9.9HP engine, and it would not turn over. It seemed like it was in gear and the neutral interlock was keeping the flywheel from turning. Turns out it was a few ounces of oil in one of the cylinders. I was able to remove the spark plugs, and turn the engine over repeatedly with a paper towel outside of the spark plug holes. I did this for about 15 minutes and was able to start the engine, albeit with enough smoke to remind me of the old two-stroke days.

Engine ran fine after that.

Chuck Hawley
Chuck Hawley is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
4 stroke, outboard

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lock & Lock vs Lock-it - Thoughts ? avb3 Cooking and Provisioning: Food & Drink 7 14-07-2011 01:30

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 00:55.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.