Tohatsu 5 hp 2 stroke outboard fuel problem

[sgjfrods]

Hello, I am pretty new to outboards. I was aiming to start the outboard after a long time standing. I put fresh fuel and oil (1:50) in the external tank primed it with a few squeezes with the primer ball and it fired up quite easily and ran well. After 5 Mins the engine stalled and it seemed that the clear indicator on the fuel line was empty. I then tried to start it again and couldn't get it going. From my understanding most outboards have a fuel switch which enables you to turn off and on the supply, on this one I cannot find such a switch and there seems no way of turning the flow off or on. Would the fuel tank be gravity fed? As when I was running it the fuel tank was on the floor and the outboard on a stand above it. Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[VicS]

Hello, I am pretty new to outboards. I was aiming to start the outboard after a long time standing. I put fresh fuel and oil (1:50) in the external tank primed it with a few squeezes with the primer ball and it fired up quite easily and ran well. After 5 Mins the engine stalled and it seemed that the clear indicator on the fuel line was empty. I then tried to start it again and couldn't get it going. From my understanding most outboards have a fuel switch which enables you to turn off and on the supply, on this one I cannot find such a switch and there seems no way of turning the flow off or on. Would the fuel tank be gravity fed? As when I was running it the fuel tank was on the floor and the outboard on a stand above it. Any help would be very much appreciated!

A fuel tap is only required with an integral tank . It is not needed with a remote tank which is usually lower than the engine but in any case can be disconnected when not in use

EDIT: but see the manual. It refers to a fuel cock even for a remote tank engine

Usually integral tanks feed by gravity although in some cases the flow is pumped. Remote tanks always require a fuel pump.

Check that your tank vent is open and venting freely. . In some cases there is an auto tank vent ... see the manual. Try taking the cap off if in doubt

You may have faulty fuel pump ( which in the case of the Tohatsu is I believe part of the carb assembly) You may have air in leaking into the fuel line ( the connector is prime suspect for this). In either case it would be possible though to reprime the carb and run by repeatedly squeezing the bulb.


Sadly as a result of standing, esp if it was left with fuel in the system , you mayfind thatthe carb needs cleaning.

The first thing you need is an owners manual which you can download from http://www.tohatsu.com/tech_info/manuals.html#2-st


BTW I hope you did not run the engine without being in water. If you did you will have wrecked the water pump impeller. It would be a good idea to fit a new one anyway

 

[Happy Dayz]

On my 1st small speedboat I also had this issue, on a 4 stroke 5hp Tohatsu outboard. In my vase it resulted in intermittent starting, or stopping suddenly giving every sign of a fuel based issue.

As a mechanic and motor cyclist in my younger days it drove me nuts (pride before a fall and all that), i bought an expensive new fuel pump, then an electric one to no avail. Had a Tohatsu dealer look at it

I was in a chandlers talking about it when a guy behind me asked 'did i have the correct 'man overboard' cutout key?'

The Tohatsu has a very thick key also the switch is closed circuit with the token in place, i had assumed if shorted when the token was removed!

Bought the proper key and wallah! Simple as that.

To try you could use a clothes peg or similar.

When i bought the boat the seller demonstrated it working in a wheely bin, it eas great, 2 pulls and started.

Having turned it off and removed from the bin he suggested to check the gears?

As a boating 'newb' thinking it would be a good idea, he put it back on the bin and we spent the next 2 hours with his mates trying to start it.

I paud £300.00 I was mainly after the boat and trailler, having seen it run i was not overly bothered as the engine was a bonus to use as a backup.

Hope it helps, think i still have the pump somewhere ?
Alan

 

[RichardS]

BTW I hope you did not run the engine without being in water. If you did you will have wrecked the water pump impeller. It would be a good idea to fit a new one anyway

I don't know this engine but, assuming it's water cooled as Vic suggests, I'd be worried that running it for 5 minutes out of the water might have done a lot more damage than just the wrecked impeller.

I certainly wouldn't try to start it again.

Richard

 

[VicS]

I don't know this engine but, assuming it's water cooled as Vic suggests, ......................................

Richard

Page 2 in the link I provided !