outboard engine manual/ servicing guide

[jack_tar]

Hi,

i have an 8HP two stroke outboard engine which I would like to service, having telephoned a couple of places for a quote it seems to me that having it done by the experts is a bit of a rip off. as a service seems to be pretty much an oil change and check of spark plugs and leads, So i am wondering if someone could point me to a good book on the subject, or indeed a good web site.
My thinking that a good general book about outboard enjines would be a handy thing to have in any case.

Thanks in anticipation,
Jack

 

[VicS]

Basic servicing is usually covered by the owners manual.

The owners manual may be available on line but you dont say what make engine.

 

[jack_tar]

Ah I have just spotted that i have not given any indication of the make of engine " sorry"

It Is a suzuki 8Hp 2/stoke with electric start and charge cct . it has a resevoir for oil, I am not sure of the age of this engine but would suspect 10years + Model no DT/8MC/CE

what I am looking for is as much as anything a recommendation for a good general service guide for outboard engines of this size. i.e without too much complication !!

 

[jack_tar]

Basic servicing is usually covered by the owners manual.

The owners manual may be available on line but you dont say what make engine.

I have the manual thanks vic but like most men i have an affliction which stops me reading them. I have dug it out now and will have a look through it.

thanks

 

[ProDave]

Don't forget as well as oil and plug change, check the fuel filter.

I paid for a service, only to find the engine would not run next time and the fuel filter was blocked. I'm in dispute now asking for my money back because the service was not satisfactory.

Like you, I now firmly belive if you want it done right, do it yourself.

 

[jack_tar]

Don't forget as well as oil and plug change, check the fuel filter.

I paid for a service, only to find the engine would not run next time and the fuel filter was blocked. I'm in dispute now asking for my money back because the service was not satisfactory.

Like you, I now firmly belive if you want it done right, do it yourself.

Dave thanks, It does mention the fuel and also the oil filter in the manual, just amazing what they think of in these manuals!!! LOL I did not say" that if you want it done right do it your self" but in many ways I do agree, as an engineer, it seems to be a simple process to change oil ,plugs filte,s anodes and to apply some grease, no more than a mornings work at the most. quoted prices for service seem to be £100 to £150 quid, which seems a bit stiff for the little work done and the few materials. I would like to check the impellor, and have not yet found any info on how to get to it. I have until spring next year so hopefully i will have fiigured this out by then.

Thanks for your reply
Jack

 

[jack_tar]

Before someone comes along to tell me that, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong, and that is when I would have been better stumping up for the service in the first place. I Know. But there is always value in learning these things oneself!!!

 

[vyv_cox]

Basic servicing is usually covered by the owners manual.

The owners manual may be available on line but you dont say what make engine.

Hi Vic,

Do you have a link to a workshop manual for a Tohatsu 3.5, please? It's a 2-stroke, around six years old.

Thanks, Vyv

 

[Fantasie 19]

Like you, I now firmly belive if you want it done right, do it yourself.

...but if you don't have the ability* or confidence, find a mechanic who will do a good job...

...I'm not a mechanic - I rely on the engine - I pay the servicing costs.. it's only about £80 once a year.... my time is worth that alone! :rolleyes

* and the moment I find a course I'm on it as although I still don't want to service, I would want to try and fix it...

 

[VicS]

Ah I have just spotted that i have not given any indication of the make of engine " sorry"

It Is a suzuki 8Hp 2/stoke with electric start and charge cct . it has a resevoir for oil, I am not sure of the age of this engine but would suspect 10years + Model no DT/8MC/CE

what I am looking for is as much as anything a recommendation for a good general service guide for outboard engines of this size. i.e without too much complication !!

I dont understand the Suzuki date coding so no idea of the age.

Trouble is that there is so much variation in the details that a general service guide would probably not be worth the paper it is written on. Even the Clymer and Seloc manuals fall down because they cover too many models from too many years sometimes
There is a Haynes manual but goodness knows if its any good.

You oil reservoir had me wondering for a moment .... most small 2 strokes use premixed fuel! Something to keep an eye on I would think. There is an oil filter which presumably should be changed and a fuel filter to change as well.

The water pump is on top of the gearcase so to access that the gearcase has to be dropped off. I cannot see how the disconnect the shift rod ... is there an access plug/plate on the side of the leg that lets you undo the joint between the two parts of it? I assume the vertical drive shaft will just pull from the crankshaft .. it appears to be splined.

Change the gear case oil. Just a high viscosity outboard gear oil I'd think. Be aware that you fill them via the bottom hole until oil flows from the top hole. New washers on the drain and level plugs are usually advised.

If the old oil is milky then it indicates water ingress and you will then be looking at new seals for the drive-shaft ( below the water pump ) and the prop-shaft at the very least.

Don't leave it 'til the spring to start work on it. I may be difficult to get apart and spares may not be in stock when you need them.

 

[VicS]

...but if you don't have the ability* or confidence, find a mechanic who will do a good job...

The man's an engineer. Servicing an outboard should be a walk in the park.

 

[VicS]

Hi Vic,

Do you have a link to a workshop manual for a Tohatsu 3.5, please? It's a 2-stroke, around six years old.

Thanks, Vyv

No not a workshop manual but Lakesailor has a manual for models up to the 3.3 ... may be some help

http://www.lakelandimages.co.uk/Forum pics/info_engine/Tohatsu/

The parts diagrams are at http://www.tohatsuoutboardparts.com/Parts-Books.html

 

[jack_tar]

The man's an engineer. Servicing an outboard should be a walk in the park.

Thanks for your vote of confidence ! hopefully not misplaced with any luck.

Since i first posted I have done a bit of research on the engine, it is 1988 vintage although the date i have on the original warranty card is 1990. so it is getting on a little.

the engine is DT 8 CELJ DT=Two stroke 8 horsepower C=oil injection E = electric start L leg length ( in this case 20" J= year in this case 1988

see this link for engine codes [http://www.marineengine.com/mfr/suzuki_models.html]

I will have a look at the engine tomorrow and drain the gear box oil,



thanks for your help

 

[ProDave]

...but if you don't have the ability* or confidence, find a mechanic who will do a good job...

...I'm not a mechanic - I rely on the engine - I pay the servicing costs.. it's only about £80 once a year.... my time is worth that alone! :rolleyes

* and the moment I find a course I'm on it as although I still don't want to service, I would want to try and fix it...

I can only re itterate my experience.

I paid a similar amount to that for the motor to be serviced, then first time on the water, the motor let me down. It would run, but only on tickover and as soon as you demanded any power, it died.

I took it home and found a blocked fuel filter.

Next time I won't rely on someone to do half a job and place mistaken belief and trust that it was done right. Next time I will do it myself, so I will KNOW what has been done.

Hence I am in dispute with the marina that did this service.

I hope others do a more thorough job.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I can only re itterate my experience.

I paid a similar amount to that for the motor to be serviced, then first time on the water, the motor let me down. It would run, but only on tickover and as soon as you demanded any power, it died.

I took it home and found a blocked fuel filter.

Next time I won't rely on someone to do half a job and place mistaken belief and trust that it was done right. Next time I will do it myself, so I will KNOW what has been done.

Hence I am in dispute with the marina that did this service.

I hope others do a more thorough job.

Yep - PITA - but that's why I find this forum so useful for those who wouldn't want to trust to an engine they'd serviced themselves.. the good mechanics are recommended, and the bad one's are named and shamed...