Outboard question

[Jamieb]

I've got a 2007 4HP Yamaha kicker that has less then 50hours of run time on it. It will start fine and run great for about a half hour, then dies and wont restart. Pull the spark plug and its covered in oil. Clean the plug and it starts, runs good for about a half hour, and the plug is covered in oil again. What do you guys think? I'm not a mechanic by any stretch but I think that oil is getting past the rings.

Thanks
Jamie

[MADMAX]

2 stroke ?

[Stein]

I believe the 2007 was a 4-stroke, I had one about that same vintage.  If you are sure it's oil, sounds like rings are the most likely culprit.

[BD1]

 

[huntnphool]

 May not be oil but fuel. When was the last time you checked the T-stat? If it’s frozen open then the engine will never get up to proper running temp and could be your issue.

 If you have never changed the T-stat, I’d start with checking that.

[HntnFsh]

Good Advice!

[fishngamereaper]

I'll add how's it been stored...
On it's side or full trim up will cause oil to seep over time.

[BigGoonTuna]

Could be ignition related too.  Is the engine still hot when you're having difficulty restarting it?  At the very least, I'd change the plug out and see if it still happens.  You could put a spark tester on the plug wire and see if it's a problem with the coil as well.

[mtnwkr]

Vent open on your fuel tank?

[Jamieb]

it is a 4 stroke and I'm sure its oil thats getting on the plug. The motor has been stored laying on its side. as far as the T-stat, its original. I havent changed anything on the motor, even the spark plug is original. The gas tank is mounted on the top of the motor and the vent in the cap works.

[millerwheeler]

it is a 4 stroke and I'm sure its oil thats getting on the plug. The motor has been stored laying on its side. as far as the T-stat, its original. I havent changed anything on the motor, even the spark plug is original. The gas tank is mounted on the top of the motor and the vent in the cap works.

I totally agree
Been here with this same Situation

[HntnFsh]

it is a 4 stroke and I'm sure its oil thats getting on the plug. The motor has been stored laying on its side. as far as the T-stat, its original. I havent changed anything on the motor, even the spark plug is original. The gas tank is mounted on the top of the motor and the vent in the cap works.

They have to be laying on a certain side or oil will leak by.

[Kc_Kracker]

@jamie im also in lacey, im an outboard tech i work from home. no matter how it was laid it should just burn off ads long as the cylinder didnt fill up in which case it would not run at all. if you want i cant look at it, it should be compression tested. could be rings, could be leaking head gasket on the oil galley.