2001 Tohatsu 50hp fuel problem

[Pinter Boat]

[FONT=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif]A gentleman is selling a 2001 50 hp TLDI and I am interested in buying. He describes the problem this way:[/FONT]
IT WILL NOT START. SEEMS LIKE IT IS FLOODED AND GETTING TO MUCH FUEL.
[FONT=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif]IT WILL START WITH NEW PLUGS AND RUN OK, THEN IT WILL NOT START AGAIN AFTER IT SITS OVERNIGHT. I HAVE HAD THE COMPRESSION CHECKED AND IT IS OK.[/FONT][FONT=Bitstream Vera Serif, Times New Roman, serif] [/FONT]IT IS PROBABLY A SENSOR OR SOMTHING

Any thoughts?

 

[pvanv]

He clearly has no clue. The TLDI series is able to tell a technician what is wrong, via the tachometer. Is he willing to allow a certified TLDI shop/technician diagnose it?

 

[Pinter Boat]

Paul,
Thanks for the reply. He says there is no Tohatsu dealer in his area (Minnesota). As far as I'm concerned, I would be willing to offer him a low but reasonable sum to take it as is and get it repaired and back in running order. I'm just trying to get a sense if it's worth the small risk or not. How does the tach indicate the problem?

 

[pvanv]

The technician puts the motor's ECU in diagnostic mode by triggering the stop switch in a special sequence. Then, via the 3 indicator lamps and the tach needle, the ECU reads the condition of several sensors and memories, so the tech then knows what the motor sees is wrong. Of course, just like the OBD systems on modern cars, the tech must interpret those readings, and needs to physically inspect tubing, wiring, etc., in order to effect the repair.

The TLDI series is not really suited to shade tree mechanic repairs; the tech should be Tohatsu certified, and be familiar with the TLDI series. I don't know how to interpret his symptom of "seems like it is flooding", because a lot of things, from bad ignition to dirty injectors could cause similar symptoms. It might be nice to see the plugs after it was "running OK", and then also after trying to start the next day. I also don't know how to interpret his claim that the "compression is OK" without getting some more detail of pressures of all 3 cylinders, showing differences between cylinders. We should also try to get the actual model, instead of the year of manufacture.

You can use the dealer locator feature of the Tohatsu America website to find dealers nearby. I know that there are two within about 26 miles of Minneapolis... but Minnesota is a big place, so if you have the Zip code, that would help you locate a dealer.

 

[Pinter Boat]

Great advice Paul and thank you. I'll see if I can get more information.