Update - The other solution to this problem is to fill the gas tank above the carburetor (just fill it up). That allows gravity to force gas into the carburetor and it starts right up. Note that this has only been a problem for me after storage. Once it starts it's good all day, and if we use it fairly often then I don't have this problem at all.
@@AdamCraigOutdoors i think my kill switch was still engaged. I used a hitch pin, which gave me a little more spread and it started right up once using that. i put the "stock" overboard lanyard back on it and it starts now. we will see in the morning.
I was showing the boat to a potential buyer today and the kicker wouldn’t start. Your video saved the day and made the sale possible. Thanks a lot! We all owe you a case of beers
Motor 12 mins old -Yes mate .. carby dry as bone put rag over tank opening and blew ! Crack d screw fuel leaked out. Started like yours 3 pull..Thanks for you thoughtfulness.. you deserve a case or beers! But rewards in Heaven for your kindness👍
I knew it was a fuel issue. I wasn't aware of the fuel drain screw. This confirmed it and then I filled the internal tank up above the level and Fuel came out of the drain screw. Couple pulls and it started right up. Thank you for the insight..
Thanks done exactly as you showed and it worked, my engine is a 5hp 4 stroke mercury has not been run for two years never been used only tank tested its a 2017 model guarantee ran out last june , running like a dream thanks again
After pulling the start cord endless times, I determined that the fuel pump wasn't getting primed from the internal tank. For those of us without an external tank or air compressor, simply blowing into the tank like CPR (with my hand as a seal and prevent fuel taste) works great. I have the biggest problem when I run the carb dry (either by intent, or accidentally running out of fuel).
If the motor has been sitting that long and after checking that the spark plugs are firing, just empty the fuel tank and get rid of that old gas then refill it full with new properly mixed fuel. If that doen't work, you need a carb cleaning. Take care !
I used to have the same issue,it would take 20 pulls to fire up.now I have the external tank hooked up and pump the ball and starts 1 -2 pulls.and once it's running it's one of the best engine that I have owned
I wonder if you could fit one of little primer bulbs like a lawnmower and chainsaws have? I know that Yamaha and orca have a primer bulb under the hood. It's a smaller version of the one found on the external tank set up
Interesting. I run the carb dry after each use. I wonder if that’s also removing fuel from the fuel pump and not keeping it primed for the next start? Thanks for your help
@@tedfinkenauer42 use the drain on the carburetor. There is still fuel left after the motor stops running. There will still be fuel in the pump, but it may drain back to the tank.
我正在使用Google Translator，所以我希望这样做能解决：感谢您发表评论，我很高兴这对您有所帮助，特别是对于世界另一端的人！ :) --- 我正在使用Google Translator，所以我希望這樣做能解決：感謝您發表評論，我很高興這對您有所幫助，特別是對於世界另一端的人！ :) --- I'm using Google Translator so I hope this comes out OK: Thanks for leaving a comment and I'm glad this was helpful, especially to someone on the other side of the world! :)
There should be a check valve in the fuel pump. If that was faulty you could crank the thing all day long if the gas level was below the carburetor. Kind of like trying to fill up a sink with the drain open. You could always add a higher quality secondary check valve close to the tank as well.
I might the add Distributer only had less than 1/8 tank ..so carbi sucked dry during test at home on flush. If carby sucks dry .. Very difficult to start .. obviously when your in the know so i guess don’t let it happen.
Hi great video I have a 2016 2.5 Tohatsu it starts but only runs about an hour and a half then turns off and unable to restarted for hours or the next day. Why is it doing this? It obviously starts but does not fully operate for the time that I want. it’s like a part-time motor. Can you give me some tips please
That's a long time to run before it quits. My guesses would be either the fuel tank vent isn't working right, or something is overheating, possibly something electronic. The easiest thing is open the fuel cap to make sure there's no vacuum, and see if that resolves it right away. Also check the carburetor to see if there's fuel in it when it quits. If that's not it, then when it quits immediately check for spark. If there's no spark then it's electrical. Start cooling off electrical parts with the compressed air or freezy spray to see if you can get it to start right away. Unfortunately most of these parts are probably under the flywheel, so do your best to just cool everything under the flywheel. Don't bother spraying the top of the flywheel, you need to get under it where the electronics are. Or maybe you'll get lucky and that motor has the coil and electronics beside the flywheel! If it starts, then whatever part you cooled off is the bad one. A bad coil would be my first guess. I hope this helps, post back if you figure it out!
I have the exact motor, only mine is a mercury. It sat for a couple of months. I tried blowing into it, doesn’t work. It only turns on when I take the carburetor or fuel pump out and blow it dry. Both look brand new. It starts right up but would struggle in idle then shut off. Any idea?
If the problem started after it sat for months, then most likely something is plugged up in the carburetor. Probably one of the tiny holes. I would take it completely apart and clean it really good. Put carburetor cleaner and compressed air through every hole (wear safety glasses, it will spray back at you!). Use a hot ultrasonic cleaner too if you have one.
Thank you. Will keep that in mind. How do u like it so far. Noise, vibration being a single. I'm looking at it to replace my Suzuki kicker 2 smoke which is pretty smooth.
This replaced a 1967 Johnson 6HP 2-stroke, twin cylinder. The Johnson was super smooth. This one is definitely not smooth, it does vibrate a lot. And sometimes the rope takes a good swift tug to start it. BUT so far it has been reliable and just sips gas, idles really nice and the gear shifter is very smooth. It has been run wide open for 20+ minutes at a time and doesn't seem to mind. This past weekend we went 20.4 miles according to my GPS, at least half of it at full throttle, and I estimate we used about 1/2 gal gas. Also on the plus side, the carburetor is easy to drain for storage, and if you forget to drain it the pilot jet is right on top and super easy to remove and clean out. Also replacing the water pump and thermostat are very easy. On the minus side, if you remove it from the boat and lay it on its side for transport, some gas is in the carburetor will drain out one of the vent tubes on the bottom of the motor, probably a tablespoon or so. It's definitely not as smooth as the 2 cylinder 2-strokes, but you can't buy those anymore in the USA, and the vibration is my only real complaint. I bought it online for $1299 delivered back in 2012. Overall I've been happy with it. Only 54 hours on it so far, but we've been using it a lot more lately since the boat launches are closed due to the corona virus issue and we can carry the small boat that we put this on. ;)
@@8180634 thank you exactly what I was looking for in feedback. I almost pulled trigger an hour ago ordering mine, but figure sell the one I have first or the boss will get pissed. Is there an fuel filter, fuel shit off to run it dry before transportation and storage?
@@omieyouknowme There is a fuel filter and fuel shutoff. There were 2 models with very similar price, one with internal gas tank AND external tank connector, and one with only the external tank connector. I got the one with both, but haven't needed the external hookup yet.
I have the 2021 MFS 6D and unknown to me there is a shut-off on the right side of the casing. No mention in the manual! Pulled the tank and then saw the line going to the shut-off.
Would the external tank version have same problem? Or does it use a squeeze bulb thing? Thanks for sharing knowledge. About to buy one of these for my little rib,
Sure, buy a fuel hose that has a squeeze bulb and problem solved. But check the internal tank model, it might still come with both the internal tank and the connector for the external tank, mine did.
@@8180634 Not quite..i have external tank + bulb squeeze but simply lifting the tank above the level of the engine worked...even though the hose was pressurized...
I have similar problem.i need to open screw to let gas out,and than prime it again .otherwise randomly doesnt start,but mostly every few days.so i do it in morning every day and than it doesnt surprise me(unscrew and let all gas out).i dont know whats cosing this.i dont have internal tank so i use external.
The basic idea is the carburetor is empty and the fuel pump has trouble priming when the fuel level in the tank is lower than the pump. You can overcome that by doing anything that gets fuel into the pump. Close the vent and squeeze the tank, fill the tank so the gas level is higher than the pump, blow into the tank with something to pressurize the tank, etc.. anything that will get fuel into the pump, then you're good.
This is definitely my problem, but I tried everything here and it still didn't work... blew in the tank, filled it to the top with gas... even took out the spark plug and put a drop in the hole to get it going... didn't work at all... arrggghhhh... only been out once with this Tohatsu 6hp...
@@8180634 no because we had to drain it to change the fuel filter. Now I can't get fuel back into the system. This model doesn't have one of those bulbs for priming.
@@thenovelloband why did you have to change the fuel filter after using it only once? Just figure out why the fuel isn't getting to the carburetor. If you're pressurizing the tank but fuel isn't flowing then something is clogging it up.
@@8180634 My husband changed the fuel filter, not sure why. I think he thought it might help it start better lol. Could the fuel pump be bad? We have pulled on this like 500 times with the hose disconnected from the carb and nothing is coming out, dry as a bone. So frustrating...
@@thenovelloband I would start by taking the gas line off the carburetor, pressurize the gas tank then figure out why no fuel is flowing. Take the line off before the pump, if it flows there then take it off after the pump, work your way down until you find the cause. You did remember to turn the petcock on right?
@@8180634 not sure i was cruising down the river and it made a loud bang and shut off oil went everywhere and it started smoking a , i took the cowing off and there was a hole in the side of the engine
@@seththemessenger5125 yep that sounds dead! Yikes! These engines have the reputation of being nearly bullet proof, I wonder what went wrong with yours?
Update - The other solution to this problem is to fill the gas tank above the carburetor (just fill it up). That allows gravity to force gas into the carburetor and it starts right up. Note that this has only been a problem for me after storage. Once it starts it's good all day, and if we use it fairly often then I don't have this problem at all.
I have a Merc 4hp (looks the same??) and it sucks to cold start. Even if the tank is filled to the top!!
@@AdamCraigOutdoors i think my kill switch was still engaged. I used a hitch pin, which gave me a little more spread and it started right up once using that. i put the "stock" overboard lanyard back on it and it starts now. we will see in the morning.
Hello
I was showing the boat to a potential buyer today and the kicker wouldn’t start. Your video saved the day and made the sale possible. Thanks a lot! We all owe you a case of beers
Got married and hadn’t ran mine since last year. Your tip is making it able for me to go out today. Thanks man!
Motor 12 mins old -Yes mate .. carby dry as bone put rag over tank opening and blew ! Crack d screw fuel leaked out. Started like yours 3 pull..Thanks for you thoughtfulness..
you deserve a case or beers!
But rewards in Heaven for your kindness👍
Matt! Thank you! The "blow into the tank" trick worked perfectly! I was going mad then Blow and it ran immediately - GENIUS :)
Exactly what was wrong with mine, it sat 2 for 2 years, pulled on it and diagnosed everything else until watching your video. Thanks!
Thank YOU so much, this did the trick for me! I opened the gas tank cap and gave it a big blow into the tank and started right up!
You just saved me a ton of headaches thank you! You sir deserve a cold beer.
Always come back to ur video to remember how to do this. Works every time. Thanks for posting it!
I knew it was a fuel issue. I wasn't aware of the fuel drain screw. This confirmed it and then I filled the internal tank up above the level and Fuel came out of the drain screw. Couple pulls and it started right up. Thank you for the insight..
Thanks done exactly as you showed and it worked, my engine is a 5hp 4 stroke mercury has not been run for two years never been used only tank tested its a 2017 model guarantee ran out last june , running like a dream thanks again
I have been trying like a mad man to start this thang. Thank god for your video now I’m a happy man lol
You absolutely saved my fishing trip, thank you!
Thanks. Blowing in the tank worked on a tohatsu 4 that’s been a sitting for four years.
Thanks my day was not as good as it could have been- will try your trick!
Thanks. This sorted out the starting problem with my 4hp Mariner 4-stroke that had been lying up for a year or two.
Great tip. That's probably what's wrong with my little 5hp. Tihatsu engine. Thanks again. 👍🏽🙂
Awesome man this same issue. I’ll hit it with a few pumps from an external tank to prime everything and it will start in 1 pull. Awesome video
going to have to try this. brand new out of the box motor and it wont start. thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the great fix to a frustrating problem
After pulling the start cord endless times, I determined that the fuel pump wasn't getting primed from the internal tank. For those of us without an external tank or air compressor, simply blowing into the tank like CPR (with my hand as a seal and prevent fuel taste) works great. I have the biggest problem when I run the carb dry (either by intent, or accidentally running out of fuel).
Much Appreciated - that did the trick.
If the motor has been sitting that long and after checking that the spark plugs are firing, just empty the fuel tank and get rid of that old gas then refill it full with new properly mixed fuel. If that doen't work, you need a carb cleaning. Take care !
I'm gonna try it first thing in the morning!
I used to have the same issue,it would take 20 pulls to fire up.now I have the external tank hooked up and pump the ball and starts 1 -2 pulls.and once it's running it's one of the best engine that I have owned
That did the trick! I just blew into gas tank to pressurize it and wala!!
Dude you’re the man..
Worked a treat!
I wonder if you could fit one of little primer bulbs like a lawnmower and chainsaws have? I know that Yamaha and orca have a primer bulb under the hood. It's a smaller version of the one found on the external tank set up
Interesting. I run the carb dry after each use. I wonder if that’s also removing fuel from the fuel pump and not keeping it primed for the next start? Thanks for your help
@@tedfinkenauer42 use the drain on the carburetor. There is still fuel left after the motor stops running. There will still be fuel in the pump, but it may drain back to the tank.
Thank you ! Started right up !
Great, I'm glad it helped!
谢谢，我学会了。对于一些不经常使用机器的玩家，这是一个很重要的知识。
我正在使用Google Translator，所以我希望这样做能解决：感谢您发表评论，我很高兴这对您有所帮助，特别是对于世界另一端的人！ :)
---
我正在使用Google Translator，所以我希望這樣做能解決：感謝您發表評論，我很高興這對您有所幫助，特別是對於世界另一端的人！ :)
---
I'm using Google Translator so I hope this comes out OK: Thanks for leaving a comment and I'm glad this was helpful, especially to someone on the other side of the world! :)
@@8180634 internet make the world small. i boght this mechine last month，so glad for the vedio!
There should be a check valve in the fuel pump. If that was faulty you could crank the thing all day long if the gas level was below the carburetor. Kind of like trying to fill up a sink with the drain open. You could always add a higher quality secondary check valve close to the tank as well.
I might the add Distributer only had less than 1/8 tank ..so carbi sucked dry during test at home on flush.
If carby sucks dry .. Very difficult to start .. obviously when your in the know so i guess don’t let it happen.
Hi great video I have a 2016 2.5 Tohatsu it starts but only runs about an hour and a half then turns off and unable to restarted for hours or the next day. Why is it doing this? It obviously starts but does not fully operate for the time that I want. it’s like a part-time motor. Can you give me some tips please
That's a long time to run before it quits. My guesses would be either the fuel tank vent isn't working right, or something is overheating, possibly something electronic. The easiest thing is open the fuel cap to make sure there's no vacuum, and see if that resolves it right away. Also check the carburetor to see if there's fuel in it when it quits. If that's not it, then when it quits immediately check for spark. If there's no spark then it's electrical. Start cooling off electrical parts with the compressed air or freezy spray to see if you can get it to start right away. Unfortunately most of these parts are probably under the flywheel, so do your best to just cool everything under the flywheel. Don't bother spraying the top of the flywheel, you need to get under it where the electronics are. Or maybe you'll get lucky and that motor has the coil and electronics beside the flywheel! If it starts, then whatever part you cooled off is the bad one. A bad coil would be my first guess. I hope this helps, post back if you figure it out!
I have the exact motor, only mine is a mercury. It sat for a couple of months. I tried blowing into it, doesn’t work. It only turns on when I take the carburetor or fuel pump out and blow it dry. Both look brand new. It starts right up but would struggle in idle then shut off. Any idea?
If the problem started after it sat for months, then most likely something is plugged up in the carburetor. Probably one of the tiny holes. I would take it completely apart and clean it really good. Put carburetor cleaner and compressed air through every hole (wear safety glasses, it will spray back at you!). Use a hot ultrasonic cleaner too if you have one.
Thank you. Will keep that in mind. How do u like it so far. Noise, vibration being a single. I'm looking at it to replace my Suzuki kicker 2 smoke which is pretty smooth.
This replaced a 1967 Johnson 6HP 2-stroke, twin cylinder. The Johnson was super smooth. This one is definitely not smooth, it does vibrate a lot. And sometimes the rope takes a good swift tug to start it. BUT so far it has been reliable and just sips gas, idles really nice and the gear shifter is very smooth. It has been run wide open for 20+ minutes at a time and doesn't seem to mind. This past weekend we went 20.4 miles according to my GPS, at least half of it at full throttle, and I estimate we used about 1/2 gal gas. Also on the plus side, the carburetor is easy to drain for storage, and if you forget to drain it the pilot jet is right on top and super easy to remove and clean out. Also replacing the water pump and thermostat are very easy. On the minus side, if you remove it from the boat and lay it on its side for transport, some gas is in the carburetor will drain out one of the vent tubes on the bottom of the motor, probably a tablespoon or so. It's definitely not as smooth as the 2 cylinder 2-strokes, but you can't buy those anymore in the USA, and the vibration is my only real complaint. I bought it online for $1299 delivered back in 2012. Overall I've been happy with it. Only 54 hours on it so far, but we've been using it a lot more lately since the boat launches are closed due to the corona virus issue and we can carry the small boat that we put this on. ;)
@@8180634 thank you exactly what I was looking for in feedback. I almost pulled trigger an hour ago ordering mine, but figure sell the one I have first or the boss will get pissed.
Is there an fuel filter, fuel shit off to run it dry before transportation and storage?
@@omieyouknowme There is a fuel filter and fuel shutoff. There were 2 models with very similar price, one with internal gas tank AND external tank connector, and one with only the external tank connector. I got the one with both, but haven't needed the external hookup yet.
@@8180634 just ordered mine, will get the sail prop as well since I need a kicker
@@omieyouknowme Great, let me know how it turns out!
I have the 2021 MFS 6D and unknown to me there is a shut-off on the right side of the casing. No mention in the manual! Pulled the tank and then saw the line going to the shut-off.
Are you talking about the petcock on the tiller handle side of the motor?
Would the external tank version have same problem? Or does it use a squeeze bulb thing? Thanks for sharing knowledge. About to buy one of these for my little rib,
Sure, buy a fuel hose that has a squeeze bulb and problem solved. But check the internal tank model, it might still come with both the internal tank and the connector for the external tank, mine did.
@@8180634 Not quite..i have external tank + bulb squeeze but simply lifting the tank above the level of the engine worked...even though the hose was pressurized...
Thank you.
I have similar problem.i need to open screw to let gas out,and than prime it again .otherwise randomly doesnt start,but mostly every few days.so i do it in morning every day and than it doesnt surprise me(unscrew and let all gas out).i dont know whats cosing this.i dont have internal tank so i use external.
With mine I just turn the throttle back an forth but 10 ten times an that gets it going even after sitting all winter.
i wonder if you just close the vent to squeeze the fuel through or open the lid? or doing both? I hear you said on the video you prime the motor, how?
The basic idea is the carburetor is empty and the fuel pump has trouble priming when the fuel level in the tank is lower than the pump. You can overcome that by doing anything that gets fuel into the pump. Close the vent and squeeze the tank, fill the tank so the gas level is higher than the pump, blow into the tank with something to pressurize the tank, etc.. anything that will get fuel into the pump, then you're good.
@@8180634 did you try to use external oil tank?
@@yqma1964 This is a 4-stroke, no oil tank. The tank on the motor is the gas tank.
@@8180634 sorry, I meant gas tank
@@yqma1964 I've had no need for an external tank yet so haven't tried it. The squeezie ball should eliminate the issue when using an external tank.
Does the motor have the leads to add a rectifier by chance. All my Yamahas had the two wires and a rectifier regulator gave me battery charging.
No not that I'm aware of.
My 30Hp does...
Can you tell me where the fuse is or make a video where the fuse is for that particular motor
I don't think it has a fuse.
you said you used an air compressor? how would you be able to do that on a lake?
Read the comments below, there are multiple solutions. Pick the one that works for you.
Thanks i have the same problem and i was red to buy fuel pump
As soon as it started my shoulder vibrated out of joint.
Ha! They do vibrate more than a square wheel on the highway, but on the upside they sip gas and don't leave an oil slick, so I guess it's a wash lol.
@@8180634 I own one too lol, that's how I know
i just changed my fuel filter and same thing happen to me it wont run now it will fire for a second then dies.
This is definitely my problem, but I tried everything here and it still didn't work... blew in the tank, filled it to the top with gas... even took out the spark plug and put a drop in the hole to get it going... didn't work at all... arrggghhhh... only been out once with this Tohatsu 6hp...
Is there gas in the carburetor?
@@8180634 no because we had to drain it to change the fuel filter. Now I can't get fuel back into the system. This model doesn't have one of those bulbs for priming.
@@thenovelloband why did you have to change the fuel filter after using it only once? Just figure out why the fuel isn't getting to the carburetor. If you're pressurizing the tank but fuel isn't flowing then something is clogging it up.
@@8180634 My husband changed the fuel filter, not sure why. I think he thought it might help it start better lol. Could the fuel pump be bad? We have pulled on this like 500 times with the hose disconnected from the carb and nothing is coming out, dry as a bone. So frustrating...
@@thenovelloband I would start by taking the gas line off the carburetor, pressurize the gas tank then figure out why no fuel is flowing. Take the line off before the pump, if it flows there then take it off after the pump, work your way down until you find the cause. You did remember to turn the petcock on right?
Hi mine had fuel coming out but still wont start :(
had the exact same motor, i blew it up lol
How?
@@8180634 not sure i was cruising down the river and it made a loud bang and shut off oil went everywhere and it started smoking a , i took the cowing off and there was a hole in the side of the engine
@@seththemessenger5125 yep that sounds dead! Yikes! These engines have the reputation of being nearly bullet proof, I wonder what went wrong with yours?
@@8180634 not sure i night it from my uncle and i geuus he didn’t really take care of it
Or just use a remote tank and primer bulb.
Thank you.