Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

[Gametrade]

Sorry about the back to basics questions, but my hands are blistered, back and shoulders are sore from the pulling the starter about 5000 times

Brand new Tohatsu 9.8 MF motor.


Ok, so Ill go over exactly what I did from opening the box to ATTEMPTING to start the motor:

-on motor cart
-put 800ml of full syn motor oil in (weight and type suggested by manual)
-setup fuel tank and fuel line correctly (as per manual)
-put on ear muffs and turned on water 1/2 power
-pumped fuel ball til firm (as per manual)
-put gear in neutral
-pull choke out fully
-pulled starter handle 10 times slowly to lubricate
-checked to make sure fuel filter chamber was full
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-push choke back in, pull out
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
-push choke back in, pull out
-pull starter handle
-pull starter handle
...etc

Still wont start...any suggestions?

 

[gss036]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Pull plugs to see if they are wet, Check for spark, Make sure the choke is working. Does the owners manual call for synthetic oil, have seen and that does? Check for compression.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Did you try with choke halfway out?

Since it came out of a box, I'm guessing you don't have a dealer nearby?

I have same motor only with electric start. It starts very easily either pulling
or using the starter.

 

[JimXeod]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

You didn't mention attaching the safety lanyard. It has to be attached to run the motor.
Sorry to be obvious if you did that, but just in case........

Also, get that synthetic out of there. Esspecially during break-in
Not needed in that motor, and will probably do more harm than good in the "making oil" process. You want an FC-W rated oil. Do a search on making oil, and you will see.

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

I appreciate all the responses. Ill try the spark plug check when i get home. Safety plug is in And ill try the choke 1/2 way out too.

I went home for lunch (didnt have time to try the above ideas) and tried it a bit again. Finally got it to start for about 30 seconds. Engine didnt sound very good. Sounded REAL rough and more smoke than I thought, as far as seeing an old 2 stroke vs my new 4 stroke. So I shut it off. After that checked everything again real fast. Everything seemed fine. Couldnt get it started again afterward...uggg frustration. Buy a expensive engine, get it home and no go.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

You have either contaminated the engine's fuel system with water or you have somehow wound up with oil in the carburetor or on the plugs. Usually this happens when people add 800ml of synthetic oil instead of adding the correct oil and using the dipstick to determine when it is at the correct level....The engine's always have some oil left in them from the test run they have at the factory and/or dealer. If you blindly add oil without checking the level it probably needs to have some removed. If that engine does not start on the first pull out of the box there is a problem.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Finally got it to start for about 30 seconds. Engine didnt sound very good. Sounded REAL rough and more smoke than I thought, as far as seeing an old 2stroke vs my new 4 stroke. So I shut it off.

That engine should not smoke one bit. Follow all the above posts
(especially TG's). This might sound stupid but did you read the
starting procedure in your owners manual?
"If engine does not start within 4 or 5 tries with choke knob fully
out, push knob halfway in and try starting". I usually use my elec.
start but either pulling or using the starter mine starts very easily.
If it doesn't their is something wrong. Don't just keep pulling.

Also, get that synthetic out of there. Esspecially during break-in
Not needed in that motor, and will probably do more harm than good in the "making oil" process. You want an FC-W rated oil. Do a search on making oil, and you will see.

Usually this happens when people add 800ml of synthetic oil instead adding the correct oil and using the dipstick to determine when it is at the correct level....The engine's always have some oil left in them from the test run they have at the factory and/or dealer. If you blindly add oil without checking the level it probably needs to have some removed. If that engine does not start on the first pull out of the box there is a problem.

Pay close attention to what these guys are saying. I started a syn. v/s
conventional oil thread here which caused TG to get a big bump on his
forehead D) and now I'm smarter.

The reason synthetic is NOT better is that this particular outboard already
runs too cool. Using synthetic will make it run even cooler. The cooler
it runs the more the oil becomes contaminated. And the more the oil becomes
contaminated the more it "makes oil". I am running Quicksilver 10-30 in mine.

Also after what TD said, I wonder if their was enough oil in it when shipped
that laying it down on it's side caused your problem? The owners manual
specifically says that it can only be laid down with the tiller handle facing
down.

GOOD LUCK,
Once you get it running you will love it.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Gametrade,

What support did your "long-distance" dealer give you regarding your problem?

This is one reason why dealer prep and customer consulting, available at a bricks-and-mortar dealership, is so valuable. Here is a brief excerpt of "the talk" that our customers get when taking delivery of any four-stroke:

1. Do not use synthetic oil. ever.

2. Use 10w-30 FC-W oil during break-in. Change after 10 hours. If running in a really hot climate, 10w-40 will be OK (but not required) after break-in -- otherwise, stick with 10w-30.

3. Check the dipstick. It is your only indicator of how much oil is actually in the motor. Never overfill. not even a drop. Half way on the dipstick is fine.

-----

Based on your smoke condition, I would agree with TG and others that you have oil in the combustion chambers. That is probably caused by being overfilled with oil. To correct that condition:

1. Drain the crankcase, refill to 1/2 way on the dipstick with the correct stuff.

2. Pull the plugs and wash the electrodes and internal insulators with ether-based starting fluid (or similar) to flush away the oil crud. Let them dry -- they will dry pretty fast if you use starting fluid or acetone.

3. While the plugs are drying, place a shop rag to catch any oil that gets ejected from the plug holes, and pull the starter a few times. This will pump the majority of any remaining oil junk out of the plug holes.

4. Put the plugs back in. Verify fuel is primed, and stop lanyard is clipped on. Turn on the water to the ear muffs. Start the motor. Let it burn off the oil smoke for a minute or two.

-----

Some other tips our customers get:

Don't forget to verify LU lube level. If it's a little low, the driveshaft bearing in the LU can fail. That would be considered abuse, and may not be covered by warranty.

Never run fuel older than 30 days.

Always drain the carb (or at least run it dry until the motor stalls) if the motor will sit more than a week or two.

A water-separating 10-micron fuel filter is recommended, especially if running E-10 fuel. Likewise, if running E-10 gas, consider adding a good stabilizer, such as K-100.

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Thank you for all the tips. Late last night I drained the oil twice to make sure I got it all out. Ran to walmart at 11pm and found some quicksilver 10w-30. Put it in this morning and started right up. After about 15 minutes on idle while water cooled, the engine shut off. Now it won't restart. Pulled the plugs first, bottom cylinder looked clean, top one spark plug looked a bit dirty. Cleaned it up as recommended, made sure oil is at the exact correct level.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Do you have the vent on the fuel tank open?

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Yup, I know it isn't safe but the cap was basically not even screwed on the fuel tank it was on top to keep out dust, just not screw on. I emailed tohatsu and the dealer I bought it from. Waiting for reply.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

If you are running the engine on a ear muff flusher it is likely that you overheated the engine.

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

If you are running the engine on a ear muff flusher it is likely that you overheated the engine.

I didn't use the earmuffs during my 15 minutes, I used a bucket with a hose flowing in constant water.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Your next course of action is to take the engine into a Nissan or Tohatsu dealer to determine what is wrong. It might be as simple as a loose ground on an ignition component or it may be an issue in the fuel system. You have a warranty on the engine so you should use it.

 

[5thwheeler]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Hummm... I could be wrong, but if my memory serves me right, which it rarely does these days, my 2008 15hp was shipped with oil already in it. Correct me if im wrong.

Getting old stinks but it beats the alternative.

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Your next course of action is to take the engine into a Nissan or Tohatsu dealer to determine what is wrong. It might be as simple as a loose ground on an ignition component or it may be an issue in the fuel system. You have a warranty on the engine so you should use it.

Took your advise, emailed tonhatsu and retailer first, both closed on weekends. Also called the local tohatsu dealer "...did you buy the motor from us?... Well we can't help you then *click*" Exact quote. I'll just wait til Monday I guess. I did a visual over look of the motor everything plugged in, screwed down and snug.

PS. Not mad at the local dealer, but not the best way to have a customer look to you for future service and parts.

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Hummm... I could be wrong, but if my memory serves me right, which it rarely does these days, my 2008 15hp was shipped with oil already in it. Correct me if im wrong.

Getting old stinks but it beats the alternative.

Nope, didn't even register on the dip stick. I think the manual states it is shipped empty

 

[pvanv]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Hummm... I could be wrong, but if my memory serves me right, which it rarely does these days, my 2008 15hp was shipped with oil already in it. Correct me if im wrong.

Getting old stinks but it beats the alternative.

Not possible/reasonable. Unless the motor was shipped strictly "powerhead-up" (like on a motor stand), the oil would run out everywhere in shipping, and would probably get into the cylinders.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Took your advise, emailed tonhatsu and retailer first, both closed on weekends. Also called the local tohatsu dealer "...did you buy the motor from us?... Well we can't help you then *click*" Exact quote. I'll just wait til Monday I guess. I did a visual over look of the motor everything plugged in, screwed down and snug.

PS. Not mad at the local dealer, but not the best way to have a customer look to you for future service and parts.

When you speak with Tohatsu America, you might mention the name of that dealer who would not even discuss your warranty claim.

Be careful running in a bucket. You want a BIG one... a garbage barrel is OK for idle speeds. Reason is exhaust bubbles can get sucked into the water inlet instead of water, causing overheating.

Gotta agree with TG. At this point, a dealer -- perhaps not the one who hung up on you -- should be able to help you determine why it doesn't start -- especially after it ran so well for 15 minutes. Could be something as simple as some water splashed into your fuel supply during testing (don't ask me how I know about that one ;-)

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Holy crap....Tohatsu Customer Service was even worse than the local place. "Im calling you guys because I recently purchased a new motor from an online dealer, and I cant get the thing to start. I called a local dealer to see if they can look at it, and they told me because i didnt buy it from them, they couldnt help me" "Well that wasnt the smartest thing to do, you should have gone to a local dealer to purchase.....you should just keep calling around to all the local dealers to see who will help you with it"

Wow....worst customer support i have ever heard from a manufacturer. Basically just told me "sucks to be you"

Luckily I called Paradise Point Engine and Boat in Stockton, CA and they said they would take a look at it on Friday.