yamaha ox66 150 help needed

Last Friday my motor stated what I would describe as a tapping sound, can't seam to figure out what's going on. Compression is 118-122 across the board, getting good spark to each plug, I have changed or cleaned every part of the fuel system. The only thing I have found that look out of the ordinary is the o2 sensor was covered in carbon. I soaked it in Yamaha combustion cleaner overnight along with the o2 sensor tube and rod. Nothing has made any difference it still has the same noise. I honestly thought when I heard it the powerhead was about to blow, but I have probably let it idle a hour or so in between changing out parts. It still seams to be running fine just very noisy. I can't find a mechanic locally that can look at it for a few weeks, just thought I would see if anyone else had ideas I could try.

Drop the lower and run it.

Does it in neutral aswell as in gear, could it still be a lower unit issue?

Yes the main drive shaft, pinion, forward and reverse gears turn all of the time the motor is running.

Ok I had thought it could possibly be the lower but didn't know if might make the noise in neutral. Thanks That gives me something else to try.

Remove lower drain plug from l/u and inspect for metal in lube.

Headed up to the lake to check the lower unit tomorrow morning, I'm not sure having a bad lower unit is a good thing but that would sure be better off than needing a powerhead.

The lower is not too hard to pull apart as long as you don't have to pull the drive shaft. That looked a little tricky. The hardest part is getting the bearing assembly to release. If you have to pull it apart, I've got manuals and have done it once on my 200 Ox66. Happy to share what I learned.

get a shrink and therapy. these things will drive you nuts. it wasn't a very long trip for me.

That would be great, if I need to work on the lower unit. At this point I guess I'm hoping that is the problem. It would be way cheaper than the powerhead.

Think you were correct sir, the lower unit fluid looks like metallic paint and the motor sounds better with it off. Hard to tell though it's so much louder.

Take boat to the lake, trim the mid into the water and start it. The water should muffle the sound enough to hear the motor better. Their were 2 150 Yamy lowers for sale on TFF couple of weeks ago.

Sure. Just shoot me a PM if you have to end up going that route.

Well after looking at it more I must have hit something recently, don't know how I wouldn't have noticed it but the prop shaft is bent, one blade on the prop is bent plus the internal lower unit issues. I called my insurance company and they wanted pics so I sent them the pics. They seam like they are going to cover it. I put the lower in the shop and the mechanic told me without tearing into it that he was almost positive the insurance would total it and buy a replacement lower.

Has anyone ever had a insurance company say we will pay for new.yamaha lower unit, minus your deductable, minus depreciation for the years in service. And it comes out to them pretty much not paying for jack spit.

YES. I have seen problems with Progressive and Allstate. I understand it is the adjusters job to try and save the company as much money as possible. Put a 750.00 dollar prop and 750.00 labor for removal, tear down and inspection on it. I have an SEI lower coming for a late model 90HP Johnson (the one I had pictures of) Foremost Ins. is paying estimate total 2630.00 less a 200 dollar deductible.

I'm dealing with for most he told me you have the best coverage we offer it pays for full replacement cost for new not reman. So you will just be out your deductable I thought that sounded great till they started in with it being 12 years old and they had to knock off for every year it was in service. I'm waiting on him to call me back because I'm not really happy now with the tear down and labor at the shop I could have come out cheaper just buying one out right and not paying the shop stuff. Nothing against the shop they have to make there money.

Any suggestions on a good place to order a reman, dealer called back with 2100 for their reman there had to be some other good ones out there cheaper than that.

I think it was under $400 in parts to replace the prop shaft, seals, impeller, etc. with Yamaha parts for me.

Well I needed a clutch dog? Output shaft, seals etc rebuild quote was like 1300 for just the parts I believe. I ended up ordering a reman tonight with a 3 year warranty for 845 from Texas outboards.

I used an SEI on my last boat and it was great except for that ten hour break-in....

The one I ordered has a 5 hr break in requirement, it's coming in friday and I'm fishing a tournament saturday. Hopefully it shows up early Friday so I can get the majority of the break in done.

also is SEI knows you are fishing tournaments they void the warranty...

I didn't get a sei lower.

yeah I knew that but was just putting out info in case other tournament fishers go that way....