Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

It is unfortunate that you caught someone at Tohatsu, on what had to be, a bad moment. What they should have done was to provide you with a list of possible dealers for you to visit to get the engine checked out. In addition, the dealer that gave you the brush off needs to be reported to Tohatsu for violating their contract. Tohatsu depends on you, the purchaser, to let them know when a dealer is providing less than courteous and timely warranty service. IE If you don't tell Tohatsu they won't know they have a problem.

 

[Tig]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

I can't help with the engine but I would like to offer that whenever I call for, or give customer service I introduce myself by my full name and then I get the full name of each person I speak to. I then use their name in conversation and take notes with the time, date and who said what. People have a bit more at stake when they are not anonymous. It makes them think twice before they give glib replies.
If things go well, send a note thanking these people by name for their wonderful service.
Sorry for the minor hijack. Back to the motor now.

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

It is unfortunate that you caught someone at Tohatsu, on what had to be, a bad moment. What they should have done was to provide you with a list of possible dealers for you to visit to get the engine checked out. In addition, the dealer that gave you the brush off needs to be reported to Tohatsu for violating their contract. Tohatsu depends on you, the purchaser, to let them know when a dealer is providing less than courteous and timely warranty service. IE If you don't tell Tohatsu they won't know they have a problem.

I called Tohatsu again....much better this time! I didnt really need anything from them, just was going to tell them about the first dealer i talked to, and the first CS rep I talk to. He applogized and said he will get in contact with that shop, as well as talk to the CS reps about how to talk to customers. He said if the Stockton place couldnt help, to call him back.

I can't help with the engine but I would like to offer that whenever I call for, or give customer service I introduce myself by my full name and then I get the full name of each person I speak to. I then use their name in conversation and take notes with the time, date and who said what. People have a bit more at stake when they are not anonymous. It makes them think twice before they give glib replies.
If things go well, send a note thanking these people by name for their wonderful service.
Sorry for the minor hijack. Back to the motor now.

I will need to start doing that now in days. I honestly dont understand people these days. In THIS economy, with all the scare of 100's of 1000's of people losing their jobs, businesses going under left and right....I would FIGHT for my job. Go to restaurants these days, not a hello, but you get a "ya, what you want!?!"

/rant

Anyways, hopefully Friday my worries and troubles will be over

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

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.

Not trying to hijack your thread Gametrade, but....
It's NOT ok to run on muffs????

I previously asked here about the threaded flush fitting Tohatsu sells
that hooks to a hose and screws into the lower unit. My dealer and
everyone here said just run it on muffs.

By the way Gametrade, sounds like you are on your way to getting
your problem solved. GOOD LUCK

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

It's perfectly fine to run an engine on muffs...And many people burn their engines up on muffs. The two are not incompatible. The problem occurs when people do not achieve a good seal on the muffs and run them while being oblivious to the pee stream indicator not peeing. We often use muffs ourselves...And we have a cinch strap going across the muff to pull it as tight as possible in order to achieve a good enough seal to run the engine. Basically, muffs "fit" everything and therefore don't "fit" anything. It's all about Darwinism on muff usage...Adapt or die

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Aahhhh, ok. Had me worried their for a minute.

With most things mechanical, "due diligence" is in order.

Again, I'm hijacking Gametrades thread but I think it will be some
useful info for anyone reading.

When I ran mine on muffs for the first time I noticed how much
water leaked, how is this going to work? But just pay close
attention to what you are doing. I watched it closely for the 20 min.
I ran it, (at idle) kept sticking my finger in the pee stream, touching
the cyl. head, etc.

Everything was just fine.
Thanks for the clarification, and I liked the tip about "cinching the
muffs tighter.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

edit

 

[Gametrade]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Update:

Took the motor to a great store/dealer in California near me. A bit of a drive, but worth it for future service.

Summary: They took a look at the engine and they said "I already think I know what it is, but ill poke around to make sure." They took all of 15 minutes to fix the problem. They said the problem is emissions in CA. The engines are ment to be soooo effiecient they dont even run here. They do this with all the new motors; they have to drill through a cap on the carb. to pull it out and expose the fuel/air mix adjustment screw. Turned it a bit, fixed, 100%. They said the new engines they sell out of the store, they do this prior to giving to customers. I find this funny and ridiculous at the same time, not tohatsu or the shops fault, but just CA is soooo screwy it is ALMOST not worth living here.

 

[tal]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Hrm, I wonder if I need to do that to mine so I can smooth it out. It idles pretty rough in neutral and shakes around. I almost have it completely broke it and it still idles about the same.

I bought mine brand new from an online retailer too. After adding and checking oil level, I put it on a makeshift engine stand and it started on the 2nd or 3rd pull. Mine smoked a little too at first but it doesn't anymore. So oil must have got past the rings during shipping or they spray something into the cylinders (perhaps to prevent rusting?) from the factory. Once you get some time on it you should not see smoke anymore. I have a video of my first start if it's any comfort. I'm interested in this screw you talk about though. Mine barely runs with the choke off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRe12cESTvo

 

[pvanv]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

The idle mixture pilot screw should not need adjustment in the field. Drilling out the EPA-mandated brass plug that covers it and trying to adjust it is a violation of Federal law. Even so... trying to adjust it without proper instrumentation is difficult in the field, and requires a super-precise shop tachometer and an excellent ear -- and is best done only by someone who has a lot of experience. It should run Ok with the choke (and high idle) off, after thoroughly warmed up. If it won't idle properly, either the idle stop screw is set too low, or there is likely a problem internal to the carb -- probably varnishing from not running out today's poor fuel at the end of each use.

 

[tal]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

The idle mixture pilot screw should not need adjustment in the field. Drilling out the EPA-mandated brass plug that covers it and trying to adjust it is a violation of Federal law. Even so... trying to adjust it without proper instrumentation is difficult in the field, and requires a super-precise shop tachometer and an excellent ear -- and is best done only by someone who has a lot of experience. It should run Ok with the choke (and high idle) off, after thoroughly warmed up. If it won't idle properly, either the idle stop screw is set too low, or there is likely a problem internal to the carb -- probably varnishing from not running out today's poor fuel at the end of each use.

Would shaking side to side violently be idling properly? I've never owned a nissan 4 stroke or a smaller 4 stroke so I'm not sure if this is how these things are supposed to run. Maybe it's normal because other reviews say they don't run smooth. I have a part 2 of the video where it's completely warmed up and still idles really rough. Sure bumping the speed up smooths it out a bit but when it goes in neutral and idles down with a load on it, it still shakes bad. It's fine if I apply any throttle but to me it appears to be running lean at idle rpm in neutral. Very doubtful varnishing is the issue since I do run the gas out and use stabil. Besides, it is new out of the box in the video.

It's really not a big problem since I'm using mine as a kicker atm, but if I ever take it off and use it on a jon boat or something where I'd like to go idle speed, it would be bad.

Here's my second video of the first start. I posted these videos when I first got the motor along with my concerns of how it runs. I decided to get it broke in before I changed anything since things sometimes tend to run differently after getting used a bit. Nothing has changed yet.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread, but it seemed somewhat relevant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0kh5hErJcM

Here you can see it running perfectly smooth, in gear, with the throttle turned to "restart" position (barely off idle position).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PHhfDyo__Y

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Tal, something is not right. My Tohatsu 9.8 purrs like a kitten at idle.
I've trolled with it idling many times before I bought a electic trolling motor.
Pvanv and Tohatsu Guru are the experts here, you would be wise to heed their advice. GOOD LUCK. So far mine has been a great motor with only one minor problem fixed under warranty.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

The engine idle is set too low. Tweek the adjustment screw 1/8 of a turn.

 

[tal]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

I will try adjusting the idle screw and post back my results in a few days.

Thanks

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

I previously asked here about the threaded flush fitting Tohatsu sells
that hooks to a hose and screws into the lower unit. My dealer and
everyone here said just run it on muffs.

You can flush your engine with muffs or adaptor, as stated by TG and experienced on my own, will need to place a belt strap to pull muff's lateral flanges tight as to gain a almost perfect seal and lose minimum water pressure on tail, Tohatsu is the only manufacturer that has 3 water tail intakes, so if using muffs will need to seal with a piece of duck tape the small water intake located under cav plate.

If using adapter, will need to use muffs with close hose intake and duck tape under cav plate. Both methods works fantastic if correctly used. Don't ever ignore an engine while flushing, you can overheat if water flow is interrupted for a short time.

Happy Boating

 

[pvanv]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

"Tohatsu is the only manufacturer that has 3 water tail intakes, so if using muffs will need to seal with a piece of duck tape the small water intake located under cav plate."

No, not on the MFS8/9.8. No inlet under the anti-ventilation plate. I use muffs on these all the time. Also, if using flushing adapter, and if you have plenty of water flow, probably don't need to block off the side inlets -- can let it spill out (in "reverse" flow). With either muffs or the adapter, the big thing is to supply plenty of water, so the impeller doesn't suck air.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

Yes it's all related to a good water pressure deliverd by house hose for lateral water intakes to remain open, but adapter has a restriction neck at the engine end, so the most flow & pressure you can have the better, if not, will need to be sealed with duck tape if using just adapter alone.

Happy Boating

 

[tal]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

I finally got around to adjusting my 9.9 last weekend (about to be at coast for a week). I tried what tohatsu guru said with the idle adjustment screw and it did not improve my idle quality much. The engine still idled poorly and shook around bad.

I did fix it however, by screwing out the brass plug and adjusting the idle mixture screw. 2 and 1/8 turns out along with slight adjustment of the idle speed screw yielded great results. The engine sounds mellower out the exhaust and idles smoother.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

OK, so it sounds like you drilled out the EPA-mandated plug to access the pilot screw. That's something no shop can do without risking a large federal fine. Yes, if the carb otherwise has a fault (usually due to varnished slow speed passages), you can probably mask it (maybe even overcome it) by adjusting that screw. However, if you ever do get the rest of the carb working correctly, the screw will need to be readjusted. They are set at the factory, very accurately, with the aid of very sophisticated instruments, before the brass block-off plugs are inserted.

 

[tal]

Re: Newbie Problem/New Tohatsu 9.8 motor

If there was something wrong with the carb, such as varnished passages, then it came from the factory that way. I have videos of the first start and the thing running poorly from the get go. The poster above had similar issues and a shop performed the procedure for him with success.

I see your point and I respect your concern if something else is wrong with the carb and it eventually got fixed or passed some sort of debris through, it would not run correctly. I have record of the amount of turns I tweaked the mixture screw so it will not be a problem to set it back if I ever have to.

If the motor was a few years old and just randomly started running poorly, cleaning the carbs would be my first resort as it is with other outboards I own. Here's a video of my explanation and result --- this fix might not be for everyone --- just posting what worked for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuybNLeV1HM