I hate my dinghy motor

[Peregrine1983]

My basically new 2014 Tohatsu 9.8 four stroke has just NEVER run reliably for me. It came with my boat and for the year or two before I bought it it was barely used.

I can only get it started with the throttle open to 70+%. It will not idle, it dies when I put it in gear, and it dies when I shift out of gear. I have to rev the hell out of it just to keep it from dying. It's dangerous because I have to POP it into gear at a higher rpm or it dies on me.

I have removed the carb and cleaned it twice now which alleviates the problem for a couple of days, then I'm back to a motor that won't idle and does the same crap. I've tried Stabil and other fuel additives. I hate this thing. I'm about to toss it into the drink and cough up the $$ for a torqueedo.

What am I doing wrong?

[Panope]

Sounds like crud in the fuel is clogging the idle orifices in your carburetor.

Clean the carb once again and install a fuel filter.

Steve

[Peregrine1983]

I've heard people say ethanol may be the problem, but this just seems ridiculous. How can you sell a motor like this in a country where it doesn't run properly on the gas that's usually available?

Since pretty much all the gas available near me is an ethanol blend (I have been using auto pump gas with Stabil, etc.) my next move I guess is to track down a station with non ethanol fuel.

[Peregrine1983]

Thanks Steve. The motor already has this inline one - https://www.amazon.com/Tohatsu-In-Li.../dp/B001447DTC

Should I add another?

[Cheechako]

What you are doing wrong is not buying a Yamaha!

[Dockhead]

Those engines have different jets for low speed and high speed. Your low speed jet is clogged!

Common problem and straightforward to fix.

Get a manual, take the carb apart, and get all the jets, orifices, and passages squeaky clean.

Or take it to a really good outboard motor guy.

Then, thoroughly clean out the fuel system to get rid of whatever crud caused it.

Then after it's running right, be careful to keep the fuel system clean, avoid dirty fuel, and don't let fuel stand for a long time and start to decompose in your engine. Use fuel stabilizer, or just be sure and run it often enough to keep the fuel turned over.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Drew13440]

Pour a can of Sea Foam into fresh fuel.

[Tetepare]

Everybody is right today!

Yes, probably clogged idle line/ jet. This is a tiny, tiny little tube through the carb and it is SO easily plugged up.

Yes to the Seafoam.

Do NOT NOT NOT use gas with Ethanol. At least in my area, marinas sell non-ethanol.

[Peregrine1983]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. Sounds like ANOTHER cleaning... followed by seafoam and hunting down some non-ethanol fuel might help. Just crazy that they sell these motors here and you can't use 90% of the gas available here.

[danielamartindm]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

I've heard people say ethanol may be the problem, but this just seems ridiculous. How can you sell a motor like this in a country where it doesn't run properly on the gas that's usually available?

Since pretty much all the gas available near me is an ethanol blend (I have been using auto pump gas with Stabil, etc.) my next move I guess is to track down a station with non ethanol fuel.

I think you'll find stations that sell gasoline without ethanol. It's expensive, but we're talking small volumes of it, and it does make a difference. I have a Tohatsu 6, and it can be a pain to start. Personally, I preferred two stroke outboards- lighter, less problems, and less temperamental.

[Blaine]

Also a good idea to shut the outboard down by shutting off the fuel supply and letting the engine run itself out of gas at a fast idle. No gas left in the carb that way.

[boeing1]

a friend had the same engine with the same problem, he was told to readjust idle jet. claims set to low per EPA, have to drill plug to get to adjustment. he said he fixed his problem

[Mithril Bham]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Those engines have different jets for low speed and high speed. Your low speed jet is clogged!

Common problem and straightforward to fix.

Get a manual, take the carb apart, and get all the jets, orifices, and passages squeaky clean.

Or take it to a really good outboard motor guy.

Then, thoroughly clean out the fuel system to get rid of whatever crud caused it.

Then after it's running right, be careful to keep the fuel system clean, avoid dirty fuel, and don't let fuel stand for a long time and start to decompose in your engine. Use fuel stabilizer, or just be sure and run it often enough to keep the fuel turned over.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Second that. Rebuild carb being careful to keep everything very clean.

[Ida_Lewis]

I love my Torqeedo 1003C.

Easy peasy to start, lightweight, and I don't have to carry gas. Additional benefit: you can have a conversation at normal sound levels while it's running. It's been great.

[Bill O]

When you pull the carb and disassemble, try sonicating the carb body. As previously mentioned, the passages are very small are difficult to get the crud out. I've used an old jewelry ultrasonic cleaner with a water/fantastic solution and it worked well.

After the water cleaning be sure to blow air through the passages to dry (wear safety glasses if using pressurized air), then follow w/some Sea Foam to make certain all the water is out.

Not that it helps but you can look for an older 2 stroke (that's what I run) as they are not as finicky. Last time I checked newer 2 strokes can still be purchased in the Bahamas.

Cheers,
Bill O.