Tips for starting an 18hp Nissan stored for 4 years?

mickjetblue

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
509
I switched out the 18hp Nissan outboard to a 40hp Johnson jet drive to use the jon boat in shallow water.
The conversion worked great, but usage and needs change, and I want to put the 18hp back on the boat this spring.

It has been sitting in the garage for a good couple of years. I ran some stabilizer through it before storing it.
It ran great before the storage.

Is there anything I should do to assist in getting it to run again?
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Re: Tips for starting an 18hp Nissan stored for 4 years?

Is that a 2 or 4 strokes engine ? did you consume all gasoline inside carb and let engine die ? or just run fuel stablizers and shut engine down ?

Happy Boating
 

pvanv

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
6,567
Re: Tips for starting an 18hp Nissan stored for 4 years?

If the motor was properly mothballed (cooling system flushed, fluids changed, carb drained, cylinders fogged, etc.), it should fire right up. Then the plugs may need to be changed after the fogging oil burns off. May need a new water pump kit (a good idea after a few idle years anyway). Remember that we need your actual model/serial to properly identify the motor, and to address specific service questions.
 

mickjetblue

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
509
It has been another 18 months, meaning my Nissan 18hp was in the garage(unheated) for about 6 years.
I decided to switch out my jet drive motor on my jon boat back to my Nissan 18hp prop motor, and here is how:

I made sure the plugs were still clean, and fluids ok.
After connecting the fuel tank, with a bit of Stabil added, I used the electric starter to crank the motor until I felt it "try to fire".
After about 25 cranks, that took place, and I terminated it immediately after the slight cough.
I pumped up the fuel bulb, and let it sit another day.
Next day, I cranked it again, and after about 12 cranks, it coughed, and I terminated it immediately. Pumped up the fuel bulb again, and let it sit.
3rd day, I took it to the river, and it started up on the second crank. It ran smooth and as good as ever.

So, I am thankful to Nissan/Tohatsu, and Stabil, who enabled me to put this motor back into action with a minimum of effort.
 
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