Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300 service guide
Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300 (250 to 300 hp, two-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.
Models covered: HPDI (high pressure direct injection) two-strokes: 76° V6, 3,342 cm³ (203.9 cu in), 93 x 82 mm, oil injected. Z250C: Z250TR code 60V from 1002362; LZ250TR (counter rotation) code 60W from 1001037 (Z250C 1-5). Z250B: Z250TR 60V and LZ250TR 60W from X 1000001 / U 1000001 (Z250B 1-5). LZ300AETO code 6D1 from X 1000001. VZ300TR code 6C9 from L 1000001.
Quick answers
- What two-stroke oil does a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300 use?
- YAMALUBE 2-stroke outboard motor oil; if not available, a 2-stroke NMMA-certified TC-W3 oil of equivalent quality. Oil tank 1.2 L (0.32 US gal, 0.26 Imp gal); remote oil tank 10.5 L (2.77 US gal, 2.31 Imp gal). Keep the level between the upper and lower marks.
- What is the fuel to oil ratio for a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300?
- None: use unleaded straight gasoline only. Do not use gasoline mixed with oil (pre-mixed fuel) during the break-in period or anytime thereafter. Break-in is by engine speed: 10 minutes at idle, 50 minutes at 3,000 r/min or less, 1 hour at 4,000 r/min or less, 8 hours at 5,000 r/min or less.
- What gear oil does a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300 use, and how much?
- GEAR CASE LUBE, SAE 90. Quantity: Z250 and Z300A regular rotation 1,150 cm³ (38.9 US oz, 40.5 Imp oz); counter rotation (LZ250, LZ300A) 1,000 cm³ (33.8 US oz, 35.2 Imp oz). VZ300TR 1,000 cm³ (33.8 US oz, 35.3 Imp oz). Fill through the drain hole until oil flows from the check hole with no bubbles. The high-pressure fuel pump has its own gear oil: 45 cm³ (1.5 US oz, 1.6 Imp oz) GEAR CASE LUBE.
- What spark plug does a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300 use?
- Z250C: BKR6EKU (NGK). Z250B: BKR7EKU (NGK). Z300A: BKR7EKU (NGK). VZ300TR: BKR6EKU (NGK). Qty 6. Gap: Z250C and Z300A: 1.5 to 1.6 mm (0.059 to 0.063 in).
- How often should a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300 be serviced?
- The factory schedule lists: Initial 10 hours (1 month); Initial 50 hours (3 months); Every 100 hours (6 months); Every 200 hours (1 year); Every 1,000 hours (5 years). In Hawaiʻi's salt water we do a full yearly service every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, and a new engine needs its first (break-in) service.
- When should the water pump impeller be replaced on a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300?
- The factory schedule says to inspect it at 200 hours and 1,000 hours. In Hawaiʻi's warm salt water we replace it every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, because a worn impeller is the most common cause of overheating.
- What is the idle speed of a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300?
- Z250: 670 to 730 r/min. Z300A: 700 to 760 r/min. VZ300TR: 730 ± 30 r/min.
- What is the propeller nut torque on a Yamaha HPDI Z250 / Z300?
- 54 N·m (5.4 kgf·m, 39.8 ft·lb), regular and counter rotation.
Maintenance specs
| Engine oil | YAMALUBE 2-stroke outboard motor oil; if not available, a 2-stroke NMMA-certified TC-W3 oil of equivalent quality. Oil tank 1.2 L (0.32 US gal, 0.26 Imp gal); remote oil tank 10.5 L (2.77 US gal, 2.31 Imp gal). Keep the level between the upper and lower marks |
|---|---|
| Fuel to oil ratio | None: use unleaded straight gasoline only. Do not use gasoline mixed with oil (pre-mixed fuel) during the break-in period or anytime thereafter. Break-in is by engine speed: 10 minutes at idle, 50 minutes at 3,000 r/min or less, 1 hour at 4,000 r/min or less, 8 hours at 5,000 r/min or less |
| Gear oil | GEAR CASE LUBE, SAE 90 |
| Gear oil quantity | Z250 and Z300A regular rotation 1,150 cm³ (38.9 US oz, 40.5 Imp oz); counter rotation (LZ250, LZ300A) 1,000 cm³ (33.8 US oz, 35.2 Imp oz). VZ300TR 1,000 cm³ (33.8 US oz, 35.3 Imp oz). Fill through the drain hole until oil flows from the check hole with no bubbles. The high-pressure fuel pump has its own gear oil: 45 cm³ (1.5 US oz, 1.6 Imp oz) GEAR CASE LUBE |
| Gear oil drain and check screws | Gear oil drain screw 9 N·m (0.9 kgf·m, 6.6 ft·lb); gear oil check screw (M8) 9 N·m (0.9 kgf·m, 6.6 ft·lb). Install the check screw, then quickly the drain screw |
| Lower unit holding pressure | Do not over pressurize |
| Spark plug | Z250C: BKR6EKU (NGK). Z250B: BKR7EKU (NGK). Z300A: BKR7EKU (NGK). VZ300TR: BKR6EKU (NGK). Qty 6 |
| Spark plug gap | Z250C and Z300A: 1.5 to 1.6 mm (0.059 to 0.063 in). |
| Spark plug torque (M14) | 25 N·m (2.5 kgf·m, 18.4 ft·lb); finger tight first |
| Idle speed | Z250: 670 to 730 r/min. Z300A: 700 to 760 r/min. VZ300TR: 730 ± 30 r/min |
| Thermostat | Opens at 48 to 52 °C (118 to 126 °F); fully open at 60 °C (140 °F) with more than 4.3 mm (0.17 in) lift. Thermostat cover bolt (M6) 11 N·m (1.1 kgf·m, 8.1 ft·lb) |
| Anodes | Check and replace as needed |
| Propeller nut (M18) | 54 N·m (5.4 kgf·m, 39.8 ft·lb), regular and counter rotation |
| Power trim and tilt fluid | ATF Dexron II, filled until it overflows from the filler hole with the motor fully tilted up and supported by the tilt stop lever. Reservoir cap 7 N·m (0.7 kgf·m, 5.2 ft·lb) |
Service schedule
The factory maintenance intervals, with what is replaced and what is checked at each. Rows marked Hawaiʻi are our shop's yearly service for salt water use.
Initial 10 hours (1 month)
Replace: gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, propeller cotter pin
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter
Initial 50 hours (3 months)
Replace: gear case plug gaskets, propeller cotter pin
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, anodes
Every 100 hours (6 months)
Replace: gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, propeller cotter pin
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, anodes
Every 200 hours (1 year)
Replace: gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, propeller cotter pin, water pump impeller
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, thermostat, anodes
Every 1,000 hours (5 years)
Replace: gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, propeller cotter pin, water pump impeller
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, thermostat, anodes
We replace the water pump impeller at every service from 200 hours up, which can be sooner than the factory schedule, because of Hawaiʻi’s warm salt water.
Source: Yamaha Z250C, LZ250C service manual LIT-18616-02-78. Specs can change by model year and serial number, so always confirm your exact model from the serial tag on the clamp bracket.