Tohatsu 3.5 Outboard Issue

[Kbol]

Hi all, having issues with my Tohatsu 3.5 4 stroke. The carb is flooding causing the engine to die. Gas starts to come out the bleeder as well. Wondering if the fix is to take the carb completely apart and clean it or if anyone has another suggestion? Thanks!

 

[Stemar]

Welcome to the forum.

If the carb is flooding, the most likely cause to the needle valve in the float chamber leaking. It may have failed, or there may be a bit of crud preventing it closing. Another possibility would be the float no longer floating (seems unlikely, but at least it'll be obvious), or its pivot becoming stiff. Strip it down and give it a good clean. IIRC, the needle on that engine has a "rubber" bit that makes the seal. If that's damaged, it'll guarantee flooding.

A common cause of such problems is leaving fuel in the carb when the engine isn't being used. It's good practice to turn the fuel off and run the engine dry before putting it away for any length of time. If you can do it in fresh water, it also helps to keep the cooling system free-flowing.

 

[D1bram]

Assume you have tried adjusting the air/fuel ratio screw? If that brings no joy then a clean of the carb, particularly the float bowl, is a good place to start.

 

[Mark-1]

Hi all, having issues with my Tohatsu 3.5 4 stroke. The carb is flooding causing the engine to die. Gas starts to come out the bleeder as well. Wondering if the fix is to take the carb completely apart and clean it or if anyone has another suggestion? Thanks!

Could be the spring on the float has bent up with use letting more fuel in *but* IIRC the float hinges the other way to the spring is more likely to bend to close the fuel supply rather than open it. Either way check that.

If after a good clean and inspection it still happens don't forget a new carb (or Chinese copy if you trust them) isn't eye wateringly expensive, depending on how much you value your time.

 

[Bobc]

Sticking float needle. Replace it. Common fault.

 

[Mark-1]

Sticking float needle. Replace it. Common fault.

Do they typically stick open or closed? I thought they typically stuck closed. Having said that, when I did mine in the spring, Google said to replace the needle as a matter of course because (apparently) you can't tell if they're good by inspection.

 

[Bobc]

Either/both. They get a buildup of corrosion on the edges and don't slide cleanly in the jet.