5 Common Yamaha 350 Outboard Flywheel Issues
What does an outboard flywheel do? This heavy wheel mainly builds up momentum while the engine accelerates. This momentum is much needed to get a consistent engine speed.
However, this important component of the boat can get damaged due to improper maintenance. Not knowing about these problems and their solutions can bring damage to your Yamaha boat.
Fortunately, this article here talks about Yamaha 350 outboard flywheel issues. The solutions to these issues are elaborated as well. Give this entire article a thorough read to handle your Yamaha 350 like a professional.
Yamaha 350 Outboard Flywheel Issues & Solution
Before getting into the details of the Yamaha 350 outboard flywheel’s common issues, take a quick look at them below.
Issues | Solutions |
Flywheel is stuck | Readjust the flywheel |
Flywheel is hard to turn | Modify the flywheel |
Flywheel won’t start | Make sure that the battery cable is okay |
Broken flywheel | Replace the flywheel |
Flywheel won’t spin the engine | Fix the relevant cables |
Now let’s delve right into the details.
Issue 1: Flywheel is stuck
The most common problem people face with Yamaha 350 outboard flywheel is its jamming issue. It can get stuck sometimes. No matter how hard you try to turn the boat, the flywheel just won’t move. As a result of this, the engine won’t start as well.
Solution: Readjust the flywheel
To fix this problem, all you have to do is readjust the flywheel. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done. Here’s how readjusting process should go,
The process is a delicate one. So, make sure to take it slow.
Issue 2: Flywheel is hard to turn
Sometimes the flywheel can become hard to turn in its place. They might be jammed for some reason. In this situation, the flywheel is basically of no use.
Solution: Modify the flywheel
According to a few comments on a post from MarineEngine, in case the flywheel becomes hard to turn, you can try,
Lenard here confidently commented,
“Big chance trouble is in the gearcase.”
As it turns out, most of the time, the problem can be solved by replacing the gearcase.
Issue 3: Flywheel won’t start
It’s common to have an outboard flywheel that won’t start. Being jammed is a different issue. As you know, those problems can be easily solved. However, if the flywheel doesn’t even begin to function at all, that can be a bit difficult to maintain.
Solution: Ensure proper cable connection
The problem usually results from a bad cable connection. If the flywheel of your Yamaha 350 is not directly connected to the battery, it will definitely have a problem starting properly.
In this case, you have to make sure the cable connection is perfectly secure. Firstly, see if all the cables are installed into the respective ports.
Don’t forget to examine the entire cable to make sure they are not damaged in any way.
Lastly, see if the battery itself is okay. If the battery is dead or damaged, it won’t be able to supply the needed power, no matter what cable you use.
Issue 4: Broken flywheel
It goes without saying that a broken flywheel will make the whole engine useless. The flywheel can break due to excessive thrust or prolonged function. Excessive friction can damage the flywheel too.
Solution: Replace the flywheel
You surely can’t work with a broken flywheel. So, what you have to do is replace the entire thing. Here’s how you can do it,
Now your flywheel is completely renewed. It shouldn’t get in the way of starting the boat anymore.
Issue 5: Flywheel won’t spin the engine
When the flywheel fails to spin the engine, it’s as good as a broken one. Sometimes you can turn the engine by hand, but that doesn’t make any difference. WinnerCouger74 had a similar problem, and in the iBoats forum he says,
“I can turn the engine by hand by grabbing the flywheel and turning it. But that’s not taking my engine anywhere”
You might be facing the same problem. In certain cases, moving the engine by hand does spin it, but that’s only for 20-30 seconds. That’s definitely not enough.
Solution: Fix the relevant cables
The problem here is actually with the cables. Here’ the flywheel is failing to turn the engine properly. The reason is the sufficient supply of power is hampered due to the cable.
However, this situation doesn’t mean the cables are totally damaged. If that were the case, the engine would’ve just stopped working, and the flywheel won’t even start (just like in Issue 3).
So, in this situation, the safest option is to replace all the cables that are related to the outboard flywheel. That should solve the problem.
But, if that doesn’t change anything, the problem is probably with the solenoid. Replacing the solenoid should supply enough power to run the engine at its full potential. Apart from this, it’s also possible that the starter is bad.
Make sure to check every point thoroughly to reach your solution.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Surprisingly, yes. It is possible to run an engine without the outboard flywheel because the crankshaft has sufficient momentum to keep the engine in motion. However, it is recommended to have a perfectly fine outboard flywheel onboard.
The ideal outboard flywheel for Yamaha 350 costs around $270. You can get it at a lower price from eBay.
No, Yamaha stopped manufacturing their 350 models in 1975. The production had started 2 years before, in 1973.
Conclusion
Now that you know almost everything about Yamaha 350 outboard flywheel issues, nothing should stop you from happy boating. However, while fixing the issues, always make sure to maintain safety. Never work with the wirings unless you are totally confident that there isn’t any power supply running.
This way, you are sure to fix your Yamaha 350 all by yourself without any extra hassle. Following all the solutions mentioned here ensures the best result.
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