Help me with my Tohatsu please........

[Joe Nichols]

I purchased a brand new 40 hp. Tohatsu in 1998, until recently I have had 0 problems. I fish Reelfoot Lake regularly which involves 90% trolling, my outboard has started to be a very big problem for me. I keep new plugs and fresh fuel in it at all times, yet I can't get performance at the lake. The engine starts like a charm, but when the prop is engaged it goes dead, the motor starts right back perfectly but the same result when I engage the prop. Dealership to work on this motor are not available in my area anymore. Do I need to set my carbs? What are the proper settings? Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[45_red]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

First of all, do you have a manual and parts catalog? Both are needed in my opinion to troubleshoot.I would start with the fuel,clean fuel,check the tank vent, does the bulb firm up?Check the fuel filter.Make sure the fuel pump gives a good pulse of fuel,then clean the carbs.Before you take the carbs off,take pictures and mark the linkages with paint or nail polish and re-assembly will be a lot easier.

 

[bossee]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Hi,<br />You probably need to invest in a "do it yourself manual" like this:<br />http://www.amazon.com/exec/obido s/tg/detail/-/0892877928/qid=1077482859//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/104-6699380-0035121?v=glance&s=books&n=507846<br /><br />Probably a fuel delivery related problem, at least I would start searching along that line.<br />Try squeeze the fuel bulb while running and see if it helps. Have You serviced this outboard regularly since You bought it in 1998?

 

[Salmon Tub]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Taking a stab in the dark, your post brings one thing to mind, The way the wiring is set up on most motors, if your shifter is not in nuetral, you will not be able to crank the engine. As I recall, what it does is short out the lead to the starter selenoid. Now, normally, this will not kill the engine when it is running, but, you also have a kill switch, which grounds out the ignition when operated. Its doubtfull, but maybe, at some point in your wiring harness, those wires are exposed and touching, in which case, when you put it in gear, and ground out the starter system, it also grounds the ignition system. Check this way, run the boat on water muffs and try putting it in gear then, if it keeps running, then the problem is not electrical related, if it dies, then most likely it is an electrical problem.

 

[gss036]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Could it possibly be the you have broken gears in the lower unit and when you put it in gear it locks up? Is the prop free in nuetral? Can you hand crank it while in gear? Just a thought! Could be the kill switch also.

 

[arlon]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

I had a similar issue with a nissan 70. After spending about $150 and replacing everything I could get my hands on, nothing worked. It turned out to be the O-ring seal on the little filter on the side of the motor. I had removed the filter, cleaned it and put it back on. I put the O-ring in upside down. Over thr years it had taken a serious set to the shape of the top of the filter housing. It was sucking enough air to keep me from running anything more than idle. Was not leaking fuel under bulb pressure. That is the first thing I would check. I flipped over the O-ring lined up the depressions, screwed it down and boat ran like a champ. A most frusterating exercise. At least I got a new tank, lines, filter, pump and carbs rebuilt.....

 

[lewkster]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

side note...check nissan dealers in your area also if your hoping for a dealer to help you...same motor...nissan is a tohatsu under nissan label

 

[cp]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

I had the exact same symptoms once on my old Johnson. I put new plugs in on Wednesday, then went out fishing on Friday night. Stayed out all night with the engine running just fine, repeatedly starting and running to different places to begin a drift. Came in to port Saturday morning to check in for the start of a fishing tournament, then got on the starting line. At the "start fishing" call, headed off to 'the spot'...and the engine died. Restarted, put in gear, died. Ended up getting towed in.<br /><br />Over the next few weeks I checked spark and overhauled all the carbs, yet each time I towed the boat to a harbor, launched it, started the engine, and dropped it into gear with the boat still tied to the pier, the engine would die. Onlookers thought I was some nut trying to drive away with the pier. Then when I'd put the boat right back on the trailer to go home and troubleshoot some more, they'd think I was even more nuts. Well, I finally eliminated everything else, so even though they were only a few hours old, I replaced the plugs. Dang if that didn't fix it. The engine ran like a charm! To this day I still don't know what went wrong with those practically new plugs; all I know is that they somehow were crapping out under load. (Point of interest: I had always used the OEM Champion plugs except for that Wednesday when a friend helped me pick up "equivalent" Autolite plugs (the ones that failed). I replaced them with the OEM plugs and never deviated again!)<br /><br />So even though your plugs may be new, don't rule them out as a possible cause of your problem.<br /><br />When you do solve your problem, please post what you find so that our collective knowledge on this forum will grow. Good luck.

 

[199675hpforce]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

its a new engine in reality so its fuel related. prime bulb,fuel pump diaphram.

 

[DJ]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Can you get it to go at all? Will it run (prop engaged) at higher speeds?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Six years of 90% trolling? Could be your exhaust is plugged up with carbon.If the exhaust can't get out,the motor won't run,just as well if air can't get in.Usually need to pull the powerhead off to check this.<br />DHP

 

[bogbrush]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Hi ,I got the same prob . will run fine out of gear up to 51/2 thou revs but put in gear and can only get 3 thou . ? the motor is a40EPTOL 3 cylinder 2006 model . had just changed the impellor and pluge gear oil a month ago and it was running fine ..out all day running at 4-5 thou at 18 knot s. then on the way home after changing the fuel tanks only got 3 thou ans a speed of only 8 knots .. .I have cleaned the fuel filter ,and changed the primer hand pumpand seem to get fuelthrough OK ,, it starts ok on the button .up to 5-6 thou but put it in gear and down it goes to 3 thou > any Idears on the next step to fix it please ?????

 

[pvanv]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Please DO NOT reply to old threads or hijack existing threads. Old threads of a technical nature are like a library book, Do Not write in them.

Start a new thread regarding your issue. Be sure to note the precise model; I expect you have a 40D. Include as much history and symptoms as appropriate, and that will help us help you.

 

[bogbrush]

Re: Help me with my Tohatsu please........

Sorry I am new to this so wont do it again .. thanks for letting me know,,