150 HP 4 Stroke Counterbalance Gear Failure

[TownsendsFJR1300]

think about the old auto motors that had to have the timing chain and gear changed at about 70,000 miles.
plastic coated gear so it would run quieter.
We always put a metal gear back in, and never noticed any more noise.

Failure built in to them just like the light bulbs, so some one could sell more

Agreed, built in failure. Did many (especially GM's) timing chain and upper plastic gear-now in the oil pan)

With the weight of the balancers/forces needed to spin it, Yamaha dropped the ball with the initial design of it.

Also agreed, if my engine had that failure, I'd be pissed too. Eventually Yamaha stepped up and is replacing the older, bad balancers.

Re the engines already damaged with debris floating about the powerhead, Yamaha should step up and make things right. Should it end up in court, Yamaha's going to be footing a big bill for those (like the Ops).


*I can say, Yamaha, at least in the motorcycle world, has been good with fixing bikes with known issues even when they were literally YEARS out of warranty.

The TPS on certain years FJRs and FZ6's (early to mid 2000) were sometimes faulty and will to this day, replace the TPS on a bike 9 years old. On the 2003 FJR and certain 04 FJR's (a large sport touring bike), the exhaust valve seals / guides were too tight and the engine would eventally develop a "Tick".

Yamaha, to this day, if you brought in an 2003 "Ticker", will do a full valve job (exhaust valves) to fix an 11 year old bike..

[greasyshaft]

Yamaha's replaced a balancer on 7 year old F150A for us, they first recommended removing the fiber drive gear (even though we've done plenty of replacements before) So we removed the fiber gear (hacksaw and cold chisel LOL) gave boat back to customer, he then came back complaining of vibrations throughout the rev-range, we sea trialed boat and also noticed it.
Yamaha supplied a new balancer free and the boat was back to normal, I guess they didn't put the balancer on the F150A for shits and gigs.
Lets hope they got it right on the new inline four 150,175,200.

This was on a hard top aluminum pontoon boat (2150 stabi-craft)

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Yamaha's replaced a balancer on 7 year old F150A for us, they first recommended removing the fiber drive gear (even though we've done plenty of replacements before) So we removed the fiber gear (hacksaw and cold chisel LOL) gave boat back to customer, he then came back complaining of vibrations throughout the rev-range, we sea trialed boat and also noticed it.
Yamaha supplied a new balancer free and the boat was back to normal, I guess they didn't put the balancer on the F150A for shits and gigs.
Lets hope they got it right on the new inline four 150,175,200.

This was on a hard top aluminum pontoon boat (2150 stabi-craft)

Great info and expected re the vibs.. Agreed the balancer is there for a reason.


*Some Harley engines are balanced with shafts and weights, others are not (rubber mounted engines).

The latter are the bikes you see sitting at a red light with the handlebars vibratingshaking, 2" back and forth.

The balanced engine, sounds the same, looks the same, the ride is a completly different bike and as smooth as any jap bike. Test rode a balanced motor (bike), couldn't believe it was a Harley. It did vibrate a bit when red lined but under normal running, silky smooth..

[chrissy t]

just called Yamaha corp headquarters and they said they would not replace the balancer assembly on my 2005 F150.They did say they sell the assembly at a reduced cost of 400 and change.Not what I wanted to hear.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

just called Yamaha corp headquarters and they said they would not replace the balancer assembly on my 2005 F150.They did say they sell the assembly at a reduced cost of 400 and change.Not what I wanted to hear.

That sucks..

Guess bite the bullet, save your receipts and get in on the class action suit

[boscoe99]

I have heard of a class action suit with respect to the F200/F225 mid-section corrosion issue but nothing about the balancer. Anyone got any links to articles about this?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have heard of a class action suit with respect to the F200/F225 mid-section corrosion issue but nothing about the balancer. Anyone got any links to articles about this?

I'm pretty sure Rodbolt brought it up. ...

Post #17 on this thread, from Rodbolt:


"so far, most all balancers manufactured before 2010 its a 100% failure item.
I understand there is a class action lawsuit.
my F150 has 240 hrs or so. its had 2 balancers".

[rodbolt17]

google it, but yes up until the -03 or -04 that balancer is a 100% fail.

[99yam40]

so, are there some produced now that hold up and are the final fix?


Is there a reason they did not go with metal gears?
Maybe to much metal partials in oil from the wear?

[boscoe99]

I have google'd it. Nothing regarding the balancer. Lots of folks suggesting that it be covered but I can't find where a suit has actually been filed.

Lots of stuff on the mid-section corrosion issue however. I did find evidence of several suits having been filed.

From all that I have read and know, the mid-section corrosion issue is much worse than the balancer issue.

[boscoe99]

so, are there some produced now that hold up and are the final fix?


Is there a reason they did not go with metal gears?
Maybe to much metal partials in oil from the wear?

Mercury uses all steel gears to their advantage. From their website:

Steel balance shaft gears: Mercury's new 150 FourStroke uses a bulletproof high grade steel to produce its balance shaft gears.

“We listened to what boaters were asking for and then set out to build the ultimate 150 horsepower outboard,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. “The finished product is an engine that is incredibly durable – more durable, in fact, than any other 150 ever built – but is actually lighter than the less-durable engines of our competition. It delivers great fuel efficiency and tremendous performance.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

so, are there some produced now that hold up and are the final fix?


Is there a reason they did not go with metal gears?
Maybe to much metal partials in oil from the wear?

Those weights and shafts are pretty damn heavy. Putting a non-metal gear, to save some weight, noise, $ or whatever reason was just piss poor. Spinning them balancers up to 6,000 RPM using a plastic gear is a problem waiting to happen..

As noted earlier, Yamaha updated that unit several times until they apparently got it right.

[99yam40]

Those weights and shafts are pretty damn heavy. Putting a non-metal gear, to save some weight, noise, $ or whatever reason was just piss poor. Spinning them balancers up to 6,000 RPM using a plastic gear is a problem waiting to happen..

As noted earlier, Yamaha updated that unit several times until they apparently got it right.

So, you are saying they got it right with a non metalic gear this time?

[boscoe99]

Those weights and shafts are pretty damn heavy. Putting a non-metal gear, to save some weight, noise, $ or whatever reason was just piss poor. Spinning them balancers up to 6,000 RPM using a plastic gear is a problem waiting to happen..

As noted earlier, Yamaha updated that unit several times until they apparently got it right.

The balancers turn at twice the speed of the motor. The motor is rated to 6000 RPM. The balancers at the motors redline will be turning 12,000 RPM.

Apparently is the operative word.

[boscoe99]

So, you are saying they got it right with a non metalic gear this time?

Still a composite gear I believe. One of the two that is.