Yama carburetor 15 vs Tohastu EFI 15

[KeyWestJeff]

I'm in the market for a new motor for my "daily driver" ding - an 11' Caribe RIB. I want a trouble-free motor that gives me 5 good years of nothing other than routine maintenance, then another 5 years of service with some expected, but not outrageous, repairs. (I'm also in the market for a unicorn with a gold-plated horn if anyone knows where there's one for sale, lol.)

I was prepared to shell out $$$ for a new Yama 15, but then ran across the Tohatsu 15 with EFI. I love the idea of never having to clean out another gunked-up carburetor. The Tohatsu is also about $500 cheaper.

It appears that the EFI version of the Tohatsu has been around since at least 2017, so I'm not worried about buying a brand-new, unproven design. I'm interested in hearing about real-world experiences with the reliability with / problems with these motors. Yeah, cleaning a carb may be a grubby chore, but I don't know how to fix EFI. I don't like owning things that I have to take to a dealer to have maintained or repaired.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
s/v Aurora, Key West

 

[raczekp1]

I had some 9.9-20 hp yamaha in my hands. bad design is a electric choke carb. manualy activated choke is better and trouble free design.
and i had some suzuki 9.9-20 hp efi and i have to say no carb and gunki free but instead you have injector gunki problem and a lot of sensor.
i think the same is in Tohatsu.Mercury efi.
high preasur pump, low preasure pump, air flow sensor, trotle posytion sensor, abs preasure sensor, iac valve. so many things to check

 

[jimmbo]

I would rather have a carb gum up than a FI system go wonky. Carbs are simple and easy to troubleshoot and fix. FI system are Voodoo and Poltergeists combined when it comes to dealing with trouble shooting/servicing them

 

[matt167]

Suzuki 15hp. EFI. The software is like $70 for diagnostic which also shows the hour meter. Suzuki is lighter and cheaper than Tohatsu or Yamaha.

I tend to like turning the key to on,waiting for a beep and then starting it in an instant. One pull start if I were to pull start

 

[BELLONI]

Fuel injection is nothing new it's been around for a long time only thing is when you winterize the engine you need to run stable through the system to prevent the gummy junk from the fuel that's being used unless its Deisel but for the most part the system is very good and reliable. Carburetors are no different they too need to have something run through them to keep them clean when not in use. don't be afraid of something different instead do some research and face it head on. just a thought

 

[Scott Danforth]

I was prepared to shell out $$$ for a new Yama 15, but then ran across the Tohatsu 15 with EFI. I love the idea of never having to clean out another gunked-up carburetor. The Tohatsu is also about $500 cheaper.

the same fuel issues that "gunk-up" a carburetor also gunk-up an EFI system

 

[99yam40]

the same fuel issues that "gunk-up" a carburetor also gunk-up an EFI system

carbs are open to the air and let the fuel evaporate leaving residue behind,
Fuel injection is a sealed-up system so the fuel does not evaporate from the rail, and I am fairly sure even the VSTs should not allow fuel to disappear due to evaporation while just sitting.

 

[Scott Danforth]

carbs are open to the air and let the fuel evaporate leaving residue behind,
Fuel injection is a sealed-up system so the fuel does not evaporate from the rail, and I am fairly sure even the VSTs should not allow fuel to disappear due to evaporation while just sitting.

fuel sitting still turns to varnish even in a sealed container. if you use a carbed motor once a week and follow the maintenance schedule, it will run for decades. same goes for EFI motor. if you let them sit. things go awry

 

[matt167]

The small motors like this still have a float bowl even with efi. It’s where the high pressure pump sits

 

[racerone]

A carburetor does not fail instantly.----You can trouble shoot / clean a carburetor while on a fishing trip.-----Doubt you can make a new fuel injector / ECU out in the wilderness.------If you have no mechanical skill / ambition than new technology is great.-----If you can clean a carburetor . maintain breaker points then older technology is cheaper.