2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

[JulianDave]

I'm 2 hours into break-in for a new 9.8 Tohatsu tiller all manual. I ran in a few times at home and it always started with 1 or 2 pulls. I took it out to our local bay yesterday and it started fine. We beached the boat for a while, and it took 6-8 pulls to get it started again. We ran another 30 minutes to the boat ramp just fine.

The next day, I was trying to get it started so I could flush it and it just won't start. Fuel is fresh E10 with marine Stabil. Oil is about half way on stick. Spark plugs are bone dry, so I don't think it's flooded. Could the carb be plugged already due to ??? maybe small bits of rubber from a new fuel line?

I live a long way from a dealer, so if cleaning the carb is indicated, I would rather try that before making the drive. Any ideas?
Dave

 

[Davem3]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

at the end of the day, ALWAYS pull out the fuel line, and let the engine run until it dies..............

it keeps the carb clean and bone dry............keep oil 3/4 to full, but do NOT overfill it.

new fuel line and tank, heck new motor should not be any rubber particles floating around at this point.............

now i will let the guru's chime in, that would be Paul and Elvin

 

[pvanv]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Dave,

That motor should start on 1 or 2 pulls, so something is definitely amiss. Could be a malfunction, or could be operator technique. Double-check the obvious: Is the stop lanyard connected? Did you prime the fuel until the bulb firmed up? If cold, did you choke the carb? If warm, did you omit the choke? If the plugs are bone dry, that would suggest lack of fuel. Once primed, you can use an 8 mm socket to open the drain screw on the side of the carb... You should get a bowlful (maybe 1-2 ounces) of fuel to come out. If not, fuel is not filling the carb, possibly due to a stuck float (quite rare, but always possible).

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Thank you for the replies. I was able to get it started after posting. I had to have the choke out and the throttle set a little past "restart", otherwise it wouldn't start as before. Once running, it's great. Maybe it just needs a little adjustment?
Dave

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

It probably needs to be cleaned already. It doesn't take much to stop one up.

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

I think I'm going to run it on and off at home for a few days and see how it goes. Since there wouldn't be any varnish in the carb yet, would using just the spray work to clean out any clog that might be there?

 

[Davem3]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

at the end of the day, ALWAYS pull out the fuel line, and let the engine run until it dies..............

it keeps the carb clean and bone dry............

or the varnish will start rather quickly ..................

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

at the end of the day, ALWAYS pull out the fuel line, and let the engine run until it dies..............

it keeps the carb clean and bone dry............

or the varnish will start rather quickly ..................

Yes, I have been doing this.

I tried it again tonight and it started right up on the first pull with throttle set on "Start" and choke out. Once it starts up, it sputters a bit until I get the throttle turned up a bit and the choke pushed back in. I assume that is normal. Once it's warmed up, what throttle setting is considered idle? Should I be able to turn the throttle back down to "Start" and not have it die? Down to "Restart"? Maybe just pay attention to the sound of the engine and not worry about the setting...
<confession>
This is my first outboard if not already glaringly obvious.
</confession>
Dave

 

[pvanv]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Yes, I have been doing this.

I tried it again tonight and it started right up on the first pull with throttle set on "Start" and choke out. Once it starts up, it sputters a bit until I get the throttle turned up a bit and the choke pushed back in. I assume that is normal. Once it's warmed up, what throttle setting is considered idle? Should I be able to turn the throttle back down to "Start" and not have it die? Down to "Restart"? Maybe just pay attention to the sound of the engine and not worry about the setting...
<confession>
This is my first outboard if not already glaringly obvious.
</confession>
Dave

It should idle at "start", and that should be 950 RPM in N, 900 in gear, on the boat, in the water.

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Thanks, I'm going to get a factory manual so I know what I'm doing with it.
Dave

 

[pvanv]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Thanks, I'm going to get a factory manual so I know what I'm doing with it.
Dave

Feel free to drop me an email at the office: paul@obersheimersails.com. We have manuals in stock. Be sure to get the authentic Factory manual for the A3, Part# 003-21056-1. (We don't stock aftermarket "doorstop" manuals for Tohatsu products, and we don't use them in our shop).

 

[Davem3]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Yes, I have been doing this.

I tried it again tonight and it started right up on the first pull with throttle set on "Start" and choke out. Once it starts up, it sputters a bit until I get the throttle turned up a bit and the choke pushed back in. I assume that is normal. Once it's warmed up, what throttle setting is considered idle? Should I be able to turn the throttle back down to "Start" and not have it die? Down to "Restart"? Maybe just pay attention to the sound of the engine and not worry about the setting...
<confession>
This is my first outboard if not already glaringly obvious.
</confession>
Dave

okay, i am sorry, many apologies and opps

Dave

 

[fishndirk]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

I run a 2010 20hp Tohatsu and its done that since day one. Nothing you've described here is that abnormal. It takes a bunch of pulls to get it started with the choke in unless warm but as soon as you pull it out it starts right up. It does run a little rough until its warmed up about 30 seconds and you push the choke back in. Then its smooth as glass. Yes your throttle should run at the lowest setting without dying. There is a simple spring loaded screw to fine tune thisposition. Now if it starts getting to the point where it takes more than a few pulls with the choke out than you might have an issue. There is also a screw to adjust the exact position that the choke lever on the carb sets the ide to.

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

okay, i am sorry, many apologies and opps

Dave

I appreciate you mentioning that. It's an important procedure and you can't assume everyone is doing it.

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

I run a 2010 20hp Tohatsu and its done that since day one. Nothing you've described here is that abnormal. It takes a bunch of pulls to get it started with the choke in unless warm but as soon as you pull it out it starts right up. It does run a little rough until its warmed up about 30 seconds and you push the choke back in. Then its smooth as glass. Yes your throttle should run at the lowest setting without dying. There is a simple spring loaded screw to fine tune thisposition. Now if it starts getting to the point where it takes more than a few pulls with the choke out than you might have an issue. There is also a screw to adjust the exact position that the choke lever on the carb sets the ide to.

Thanks. I may need to adjust the idle a little. I know where that screw is. I'm waiting for a manual and hoping that it explains all of this.
Dave

 

[pvanv]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

The MFS9.8A3 should idle at 950 in N, 900 in gear, in the water, fully warmed up. Use a good shop tach to fine-tune the stop screw.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Probably on 4 strokes you need to leave choke pulled for cold starts or restarts for some time, on 2 strokes just push choke knob back in near inmediately the engine has started, but do leave throttle grip at start position for 30 seconds to warm engine enough so to have good idle rpm when returning throttle back to rest position. Try if this procedure could be applied on 4 strokes too

Happy Boating

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

I started it up yesterday, it took 2 pulls. Once going, I pushed the choke back half way for a few minutes. This seemed to work good. Once it was warmed up I put the choke all the way in and throttle was on start. When its running at that slow an idle, the outboard really shakes. Is it normal to shake quite a bit when at a low idle? It smooths right out when given some gas. I need to tach it, but I'll start a new thread about that.

 

[pvanv]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

Generally, you should ease the choke off as fast as reasonable. In cold weather, that will be longer, in hot, shorter. When the 9.8 is idling (especially before fully warmed), the motor will dance around a bit on the mounts. As long as your idle is up over 900 or so, it won't be too bad... and when really warm, the rpm will come up, and that will steady-out. Above 1000 rpm it will be hardly noticeable.

 

[JulianDave]

Re: 2012 9.8 Tohatsu now won't run after 2 hours

I got a factory manual a few days ago and am a bit disappointed that it says nothing about adjusting the idle, just what it should be. The idle adjustment screw isn't even identified in the exploded carb diagram or anywhere else in the book. It's listed as a "stop screw". I will get plenty of use out of the book, just have to b*tch a little...