2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

[Big E]

Getting ready to work (fight) with Yamaha over possible blown head gasket - and out of warranty repair so looking for some expert advise....

Had a problem in late 2006 season with bad fuel pump pushing fuel into crankcase - I detected this by pulling dipstick and the oil was flowing out of dipstick hole and then went forward to marina after getting answers here on group discussion. Biggest concern expressed was getting this fixed quickly because excess pressure in crankcase could blow seals...the repair slip clearly indicates that fuel was being pushed into crankcase.

Had warranty repair with new fuel pump done (did not think to have marina check plugs or head gasket - compression test) then winterized and put away for winter of 2006-2007.

Extended warranty expired in April 2007.

Moved boat down to Chesapeake from NJ in June 2007 - straight out of winterization.

Had an issue the other day where alarm came on and oil light was blinking. now engine has never failed to start but was running slightly off on idle. Pulled right back into slip - checked oil but level was between cylinders..so asked for help from marina. They came back with diagnosis blown head gasket as there was water in oil - fouled plugs - I'm waiting for compression test results. Mechanic was on his way with his wife to deliver baby so I am waiting to hear everything - he was a bit distracted.

Anyway - my question: Could the first problem of pressure in crankcase caused by bad fuel pump build up enough pressure to impact the head gasket and the marina perhaps did not catch the problem originally?

This is my second year of boating - this 20" Key West with 2001 115 Yammi purchased in August 2006 and I did my research and everyone said that Yammi's were very reliable - even had the engine/boat surveyed before purchasing. I really appreciate any and all advise - I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row before talking with Yamaha on the potential for having them meet me at least half-way on the BHG repair....I plan on patiently staying on this through all levels of inquiry = "Your answer is no - who is your boss?"

Thanks again! Big E

 

[reeldutch]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

i dont think a bad fuel pump can cause a blown head gasket.

probbebly your bad fuel pump was leaking fuel into your crankcase.

overfilling the crankcase will most likely hydrolock and blow oil out of your breather hose or oil dipstick.

i dont think a headgasket will blow from it.

may be it wasnt torquet down propper or the head could be warped.
i would check that out.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

myself?
I would want to see the old bad fuel pump diphram. its a very thick diaphram and personnally I have never seen one fail.
however I guess its possible.
I cant see a blown headgasket due to excess oil.
a compresion test will be useless,any well trained yamaha tech will do a leakdown test.
in fact the yamaha RTA will ask for it.
water in the oil can be from a number of things.
however keep your cool,use a dealership that has a master tech or at least a tech with both 4 stroke systems and advanced 4 stroke systems certificates on the wall.
I have seen yamaha replace powerheads out of warrenty with the customer paying the labor costs.
but first wait for the results of the leakdown test.
in the 07 marine tech guide on page11-1 is an engine condition worksheet,make sure the tech does this sheet and can fax it to the RTA and possibly give you a copy.

 

[Big E]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

Just checking - anybody have a fact sheet on how many hours to replace head gasket - place I am using is Factory certified for Yamaha - but the initial quote is 30 hours to repair BHG???

I have been looking at other posts and seeing people say that replacing a BHG is a piece of cake. so just trying to get idea on what the set rate usually runs...

Thanks again

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

factory certified is a far cry from any actual training.
be careful.
shortblock replacement should take less than 15 hours.
new short block wont come with a head.
I wont reuse head bolts as they are angle torque bolts.
I told ya once what to look for, heed it or not, your choice.
just remember a dealership is a franchise and corperate Yamaha has no control over the techs nor the shop nor the dealership.
do what ya need to do from here.
however we still dont know if the gasket is blown, no leakdown test and a compression test is a teat on a boar hog.

 

[aleutianwest]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

factory certified is a far cry from any actual training.
be careful.
shortblock replacement should take less than 15 hours.
new short block wont come with a head.
I wont reuse head bolts as they are angle torque bolts.
I told ya once what to look for, heed it or not, your choice.
just remember a dealership is a franchise and corperate Yamaha has no control over the techs nor the shop nor the dealership.
do what ya need to do from here.
however we still dont know if the gasket is blown, no leakdown test and a compression test is a teat on a boar hog.

sure it is not three hrs to do head gasket . i do them them in under 2 hrs so make sure there is not a comma missing good luck

 

[BruceAML]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

Am I correct in thinking that you bought this engine used? If so, do you know the previous owner and/or the history of this motor? Call up Yamaha customer service and ask them if they have any history or the previous owner's name if you bought it used. You might inquire if there was any previous warranty work on the motor.

 

[Big E]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

yes - bought it used in 2006 and extended warranty expired in April. Going over to meet with mechanics today and they are factory certified. Their opinion is the repair last year may have been misdiagnosed by the other marina and real problem did not get fixed. I was working up in NJ when I bought it and had it serviced there when first problem arose and put into storage. I moved down to VA in June and did not get a chance to use boat much this year due to new job. Again, what got me looking was the low oil light coming on but oil level was fine. The mechanics also gave me some other numbers at Yamaha to call and hoping that I will have some remedy today..........

Luckily - I've got the money and some great advise here, especially from RodBolt - so ready to talk to Yamaha and see what can be done. I appreciate all the help and information. The one thing I did not do when I bought the boat was a leakdown test when I had it surveyed before buying. Lessons learned....although this has turned out to be a hole in the water to throw money into - with my first boat - learned a lot and looking forward to the spring. I may have missed the striper run this year but they'll be out there next year.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

just remember what I said, look for the school certs on the wall, should have a tech with at least 4 stroke systems and advanced 4 stroke systems minimum. 5 star is great,however its a video course that can be done in 20 minutes or so.
on a modern 4 stroke a leakdown test is way more accurate as well as faster than a compression test.
I rarely use a compression tester on 4 strokes.
what dealership are you using in VA ?

 

[Big E]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

Its a marina over in Gloucester VA -

 

[Big E]

Re: 2001 115 4 stroke - blown head gasket???

Marina over in Gloucester VA