We are looking at getting a 6hp Tohatsu outboard (2003) for the dink. Prev.Owner had run it in a barrel for 10mins after original purchase, then stored it for 2 yrs, laying it down on the garage. He mentioned that when he put it up for sale (due to health - I know him), he tried to start it but it would not. He cleaned out the carb and instead of gunked gas, he found dried engine oil in it. He cleaned it out and put it back on, it started on first try and ran great for 15mins in a barrel again (I was there). I had heard something about 4-stroke outboard's being ruined if left laying down for any long period of time. Can anyone (with experience in this) substantiate or not? Any advice will be very much appreciated. Thank you. Bob
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Never that long
I had an old honda 7.5 that I lay down regularly but never for that long. Any motor going two years without being ran might have problems. For what it's worth I stored a little two stroke for 5-6 years without running it. The carb was dried out with gunked up jets. But after cleaning it started and still runs.
I had an old honda 7.5 that I lay down regularly but never for that long. Any motor going two years without being ran might have problems. For what it's worth I stored a little two stroke for 5-6 years without running it. The carb was dried out with gunked up jets. But after cleaning it started and still runs.
Honda 5HP PITA
My Honda 5hp has been a real pain in the a---!! New in 2003, it does not have many hours on it. I have always religiously run the outboard until it cuts out to run any gas out of the carb before laying it horizontally in the lazerette. But you can never run it totally dry. It seems there are fine little passages in the carb that somehow retain gas which then subsequently turns to gum /jelly and gums up the carb. It took a while to find that problem. An annual stripping/cleaning of the carb works which includes soaking the carb for a day in a bath of carb cleaner. If you do not do this, it does not idle properly, other than at highish revs. I could never see the outboard being ruined but the gumming problem is a PITA. Peter
My Honda 5hp has been a real pain in the a---!! New in 2003, it does not have many hours on it. I have always religiously run the outboard until it cuts out to run any gas out of the carb before laying it horizontally in the lazerette. But you can never run it totally dry. It seems there are fine little passages in the carb that somehow retain gas which then subsequently turns to gum /jelly and gums up the carb. It took a while to find that problem. An annual stripping/cleaning of the carb works which includes soaking the carb for a day in a bath of carb cleaner. If you do not do this, it does not idle properly, other than at highish revs. I could never see the outboard being ruined but the gumming problem is a PITA. Peter
Outboard on its side?
My Honda 2 hp is a 4-cycle, and there is only ONE side it can be laid down on or oil gets into the carb and who knows where else. I would think (but I don't know) that a two-cycle would be immune to anything other than varnish build-up from old gas.
My Honda 2 hp is a 4-cycle, and there is only ONE side it can be laid down on or oil gets into the carb and who knows where else. I would think (but I don't know) that a two-cycle would be immune to anything other than varnish build-up from old gas.
Got the Manual?
Evidently, a lot of the earlier Honda motors were susceptible to oil back draining into the carb if laid on the wrong side, in some cases I’m told even with a little of that kick up your heels & have fun with excessive healing will create problems. If you have the manual, check it. I have a Merc 4-stroke on C27. There’s no trouble with the boat healing, but the manual says it shouldn’t lay on one side or face down. Ferg
Evidently, a lot of the earlier Honda motors were susceptible to oil back draining into the carb if laid on the wrong side, in some cases I’m told even with a little of that kick up your heels & have fun with excessive healing will create problems. If you have the manual, check it. I have a Merc 4-stroke on C27. There’s no trouble with the boat healing, but the manual says it shouldn’t lay on one side or face down. Ferg
Mercury/Tohatsu
Motors should not be laid down on one particular side or the oil will find its way into the cylinder. I don't remember which side that it is but the manual will tell you. If it does get oil in the cylinder, then remove the spark plug and pull it thru until it stops squirting oil out the spark plug hole. Re-install the spark plug, hook up the gas tank, and start the engine in a water tank. It will smoke for a minute as it burns out any oil left in the cylinder and then settle down and run normal.
Motors should not be laid down on one particular side or the oil will find its way into the cylinder. I don't remember which side that it is but the manual will tell you. If it does get oil in the cylinder, then remove the spark plug and pull it thru until it stops squirting oil out the spark plug hole. Re-install the spark plug, hook up the gas tank, and start the engine in a water tank. It will smoke for a minute as it burns out any oil left in the cylinder and then settle down and run normal.
Good price?
If you are getting a good price and you believe what the guy said, go for it. The rings may be stuck due to dried oil residue. The carb may be full of gum. But you can get that stuff out with patient. The only reason to buy used stuff is price. So make him an offer YOU can't refuse. All else fails you can still sell it on eBay for a profit.
If you are getting a good price and you believe what the guy said, go for it. The rings may be stuck due to dried oil residue. The carb may be full of gum. But you can get that stuff out with patient. The only reason to buy used stuff is price. So make him an offer YOU can't refuse. All else fails you can still sell it on eBay for a profit.
I don't see a problem
if it runs good now. You may want to do a compresson check on it, but I doubt it was ruined let alone any damage at all. Today gas has become a problem for ALL engines, it gums up to quickly and has a very short "shelf life". Local dealer told me NOT to drain down the carb on a 4 stroke engine but to use a gas treatment of stablizer mixed with a carb cleaner (i.e. "Gummout") and leave the carb "wet" all the time (even winter storage) Did that last year and my engine started up on second pull after being stored for winter. As others have mentioned most four strokes can be laid on ONE side only so check your owners manual. Also check the engine as most will have "feet" for laying the engine on its side. Does not sound like you have a problem.
if it runs good now. You may want to do a compresson check on it, but I doubt it was ruined let alone any damage at all. Today gas has become a problem for ALL engines, it gums up to quickly and has a very short "shelf life". Local dealer told me NOT to drain down the carb on a 4 stroke engine but to use a gas treatment of stablizer mixed with a carb cleaner (i.e. "Gummout") and leave the carb "wet" all the time (even winter storage) Did that last year and my engine started up on second pull after being stored for winter. As others have mentioned most four strokes can be laid on ONE side only so check your owners manual. Also check the engine as most will have "feet" for laying the engine on its side. Does not sound like you have a problem.
Thanks for the helpful replies. The price was $600. Yes I do have the manuals and will look through them. Will also try pulling the spark plug and checking for oil. I appreciate the advice and suggestions! thanks Bob
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