Motor flops up when going in reverse - 90 HP Yamaha outboard

[LetThemGo]

Just purchased a 2006 90 HP Yamaha 4-stroke tiller outboard. When I increase throttle to about 30% with the engine in reverse, the motor flops upward about four inches and then flops down the same distance when I let off the throttle. Is this vertical play with the engine normal? Is this some safety feature on the power trim and tilt?

I never experienced this on my old outboard with power trim, and it seems like the flopping could potentially cause some damage. Any info or shared experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[Valv]

Have a dealer check this immediately, looks like it's not holding the motor in position.

Naturally, due to prop rotation, motors are incluned to "come out of water" in reverse, but they should NOT, older styles had locks, newer models have tilt & trim.

It's a new motor have it checked right away.

[LetThemGo]

Thanks Valv - I appreciate your reply, and I will check it out with Yamaha and my dealer.

[VMS]

Unless the motor has a lock-down, the motor should come up without issue. My 05' 90 2 stroke does the same thing. I like the fact it can come up because if I hit something going forward, the motor will come up, which by doing so allows energy escape, thus less damage to the motor.

30% in reverse? Why would you ever need to go that fast in reverse?

Steve

[eyepatrol]

My dad's old motor with tilt/trim used to do that before he got a new motor and lift. We just hated it because the motor would even pop out of the water. I don't know what the problem would be really, especially on your brand new motor. It's not good though. If you ever do find yourself in a situation where you think you're going to run into something, or if you need that extra pull to get off shore or off the trailer, it really is a pain to have it pop up like that.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.