Outboard engine service

[south_coast_sailor]

Hi everyone, new user here so go gentle!

I have a Tohatsu 6hp 4-stroke engine (2018 model) needs an annual service.

Any recommendations on a decent outboard engineer in the Southampton/Portsmouth or Solent area generally. Don't mind driving the engine to a decent and reasonably priced engineer!

Thanks in advance

 

[seumask]

This the PBO forum. Can I suggest you read up then do the basics your self. Change the oil, check the spark plug , consider replacing the impelor and continue as normal. IMHO and depending on how may hours the engine has run not a lot will need to be done. More will be along with advice shortly I suspect.

 

[VicS]

This the PBO forum. Can I suggest you read up then do the basics your self. Change the oil, check the spark plug , consider replacing the impelor and continue as normal. IMHO and depending on how may hours the engine has run not a lot will need to be done. More will be along with advice shortly I suspect.

Yes there is a fairly good maintenance section in the owners manual but there are a number of items on the service schedule for which no details are given and
which it is recommended are done by a dealer. None is beyond the competent DIYer though

 

[Stemar]

I recently had to buy a secondhand OB and paid as much for it to be serviced as I paid for it. I'll be asking here for tips to do it myself next winter...

 

[C08]

This the PBO forum. Can I suggest you read up then do the basics your self. Change the oil, check the spark plug , consider replacing the impelor and continue as normal. IMHO and depending on how may hours the engine has run not a lot will need to be done. More will be along with advice shortly I suspect.

Whilst I agree that this is not rocket science and self servicing should be recommended servicing the engine yourself will probably invalidate the 5/7 year warranty. Unlike car warranties self recorded servicing or even servicing by a qualified outboard mechanic but a non authorised agent will cause refusal of warranty claims.

 

[wombat88]

In answer to the OP's original question

Formerly Home Marine: we are based in Emsworth Yacht Marina

 

[Hot Property]

Whilst I agree that this is not rocket science and self servicing should be recommended servicing the engine yourself will probably invalidate the 5/7 year warranty. Unlike car warranties self recorded servicing or even servicing by a qualified outboard mechanic but a non authorised agent will cause refusal of warranty claims.

Not sure what the Mercury warranty is, but Honda allow self servicing with their 6 year "non declining" warranty. Just keep receipts and perhaps a few photos of the engine whilst being serviced?

Modern outboards are reliable and unless abused by their owners will last a long time. For example my 2006 Verado 200 is well out of warranty so I recently serviced it for around £75 including a new serpentine belt, oil, filter, leg oil etc.

Mercury recommend special Verado oil (blended synthetic) which is around £48 per 4 litres - 6.6 required! I use FULLY synthetic oil which I was fortunate to buy at £10 for 5 litres - Unipart brand. Whilst not the exact same specification it is more important to change the oil (and filter) regularly in my view. I probably saved a couple hundred pounds by doing myself - and i know it was done properly which, sadly, can't always be guaranteed with some marine engineers

The relative value of your engine is lower so the savings you make doing your own servicing far outweigh any warranty "benefits" if it was a £20k outboad then the warranty issue becomes significant....

When you come to sell it a nice handfull of receipts will indicate that you care about maintenance!

 

[C08]

Apology for thread drift
I was not aware that Honda were so accomodating regarding self servicing, that is good to hear. I bought a Yamaha 25hp high thrust engine last year and only after purchasing realised that Yamaha were absolutely insistant of servicing by an agent strictly to the service schedule. In the event, I could not get the 1st service carried out at 20hrs/3 months as the engine was not even installed due to my health problems (and is still not installed). Yamaha were distinctly unhelpful when I asked about this delayed 1st servicing and confirmed what the agent said when I picked up the engine about Yamahas rigid stance on servicing and warranty claims. I was also shocked to find that in order to do the service the boat needed lifting out or the engine taken to a dealer which is difficult with a large engine weighing over 210 lbs and probably would need craning out..

 

[Hot Property]

Apology for thread drift
I was not aware that Honda were so accomodating regarding self servicing, that is good to hear. I bought a Yamaha 25hp high thrust engine last year and only after purchasing realised that Yamaha were absolutely insistant of servicing by an agent strictly to the service schedule. In the event, I could not get the 1st service carried out at 20hrs/3 months as the engine was not even installed due to my health problems (and is still not installed). Yamaha were distinctly unhelpful when I asked about this delayed 1st servicing and confirmed what the agent said when I picked up the engine about Yamahas rigid stance on servicing and warranty claims. I was also shocked to find that in order to do the service the boat needed lifting out or the engine taken to a sealer which is difficult with a large engine weighing over 210 lbs and probably would need craning out..

That's why I bought a Honda!

A chap I knew had big issues with other Japanese outboard manufacturers warranty - they ducked and dived when it was clear they were liable.

Whilst not sexy or particularly "trendy", Honda have built a solid reputation over the years which is why many commercial operators use them.

A chap I know in Lymington who was an authorised service person said that Honda would buy up high hours engines (7,000 plus) and strip them down to see what was worn out so they could improve them!!!

 

[Graham376]

Tohatsu warranty terms are here - Tohatsu - Warranty An authorised Tohatsu Service Centre must perform the recommended routine servicing/maintenance and repairs and record these on-line on the Tohatsu Marine Website.

Up to the OP to decide whether to pay dealer silly prices for simple work and keep the warranty or, weigh up the savings over a few years with self servicing against cost of possible warranty claims, which are rare if the outboard is good from day one. I self service my 2019 Tohatsu 9.8.

 

[penberth3]

Hi everyone, new user here so go gentle!

I have a Tohatsu 6hp 4-stroke engine (2018 model) needs an annual service.

Any recommendations on a decent outboard engineer in the Southampton/Portsmouth or Solent area generally. Don't mind driving the engine to a decent and reasonably priced engineer!

Thanks in advance

You've now found out how the forum works. Off at a tangent from the first reply, followed by a discussion about something completely different. Try the Yellow Pages.

 

[Graham376]

You've now found out how the forum works. Off at a tangent from the first reply, followed by a discussion about something completely different. Try the Yellow Pages.

OK then here's the answer - dealer network here - Find a UK Tohatsu dealer

 

[Fantasie 19]

Hi everyone, new user here so go gentle!

I have a Tohatsu 6hp 4-stroke engine (2018 model) needs an annual service.

Any recommendations on a decent outboard engineer in the Southampton/Portsmouth or Solent area generally. Don't mind driving the engine to a decent and reasonably priced engineer!

Thanks in advance

Emsworth Outboards - based at Emsworth Yacht Harbour

 

[Sadlerfin]

Hi everyone, new user here so go gentle!

I have a Tohatsu 6hp 4-stroke engine (2018 model) needs an annual service.

Any recommendations on a decent outboard engineer in the Southampton/Portsmouth or Solent area generally. Don't mind driving the engine to a decent and reasonably priced engineer!

Thanks in advance

I use Fairweather Marine in Fareham very helpful.

 

[C08]

Another vote for Fairweather Marine in Fareham

 

[laika]

The owner of a boat which accidentally bent my outboard while berthing a few years back kindly put his hand up and paid for it to be unbent. Took it to Fairweather in Fareham who made a good job of it in reasonable time at a reasonable price so they'd probably be my first call if I needed outboard work done. I note that they're an authorised Tohatsu service centre:
Service

 

[Malish]

Ron Hale Marine
Outboards; New, Spares, Servicing available from Ron Hale Marine Ltd

 

[ghostlymoron]

Tohatsu warranty terms are here - Tohatsu - Warranty An authorised Tohatsu Service Centre must perform the recommended routine servicing/maintenance and repairs and record these on-line on the Tohatsu Marine Website.

Up to the OP to decide whether to pay dealer silly prices for simple work and keep the warranty or, weigh up the savings over a few years with self servicing against cost of possible warranty claims, which are rare if the outboard is good from day one. I self service my 2019 Tohatsu 9.8.

This makes a Tohatsu less attractive. However, as I'm unlikely to buy a new engine, it doesn't matter.
I've found all my outboards very reliable and have serviced them all myself since I discovered how easy it is. I follow advice on YouTube. It only needs plugs, oil, air filter and occasionally fuel filter and water impeller.