I have had it with my hard to start (Manual) Honda 8hp 4 cycle outboard. I am looking at Tohatsu 2 and 4 cycle electric start motors. Is Tohatso a good engine and which way should I go. There is a $340. price difference between the 2 and 4 cycle engines. I have had it with my hard to start Honda 8hp 4 cycle outboard. I am looking at Tohatso 2 and 4 cycle elect. start outboards. Is Tohatso a good motor and which way should I go. The 2 cycle or for $340.00 more should I buy the 4 cycle.
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Rick Webb
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R.W.Landau
4 stroke w/ alt
Get the Tohatsu 4 stroke 8 hp with the alternator option. This would be my #1 choice for a new motor for my O'Day 25
Get the Tohatsu 4 stroke 8 hp with the alternator option. This would be my #1 choice for a new motor for my O'Day 25
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Pete
4 cycle - no contest!
Don, I agree with the previous post the 4 stroke is the way to go no question about it ! you will never have to add oil to the gas again! plus they are just better and more "green".it will only be a matter of time before 2 strokes will be a thing of the past. there are lakes now that will not allow a carburated 2 stroke engine to operate in them and it will just continue to get more and more restricted.Spend the extra 350 and just thing about how much you will save in two stroke oil!All that having been said the Honda 8 hp is a good engine and unless your's is just plain wore out (not likely) it should be fairly easy to start,before buying a new engine maybe let the Honda dealer have a crack at repairing it. It should start on the first or second pull every time (my 20 year old 7.5 starts on the second pull with out fail)Good Luck !
Don, I agree with the previous post the 4 stroke is the way to go no question about it ! you will never have to add oil to the gas again! plus they are just better and more "green".it will only be a matter of time before 2 strokes will be a thing of the past. there are lakes now that will not allow a carburated 2 stroke engine to operate in them and it will just continue to get more and more restricted.Spend the extra 350 and just thing about how much you will save in two stroke oil!All that having been said the Honda 8 hp is a good engine and unless your's is just plain wore out (not likely) it should be fairly easy to start,before buying a new engine maybe let the Honda dealer have a crack at repairing it. It should start on the first or second pull every time (my 20 year old 7.5 starts on the second pull with out fail)Good Luck !
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Gerry
2 stroke, 4 stroke
The thing you have to keep in mind also, beyond the mixing or not of fuel, ids the weight of the engine. Most older boats are not set up for the increase in weight of a 4 stroke engine. Because of this, you have to lower the horsepower of the engine to stay in the maximum weight rating of the engine mount of your boat. So you sacrifice horsepower to use a 4-stroke. There is no contest however that a 4-stroke is easier to fuel and much cleaner to operate. Some smaller lakes do now restrict 2-cycle engines, but I have found those few and far between. You have to decide what will best fit your needs. If lower Hp is ok than a 4-stroke requires less service in that you do not have to mix the fuel and run much cleaner. If you need more Hp than a 2- stroke is the way to go. Oh yes, If you get a newer 2-stroke, they run much cleaner. The fuel-oil mix is much less than older engines. Fair Winds Gerry
The thing you have to keep in mind also, beyond the mixing or not of fuel, ids the weight of the engine. Most older boats are not set up for the increase in weight of a 4 stroke engine. Because of this, you have to lower the horsepower of the engine to stay in the maximum weight rating of the engine mount of your boat. So you sacrifice horsepower to use a 4-stroke. There is no contest however that a 4-stroke is easier to fuel and much cleaner to operate. Some smaller lakes do now restrict 2-cycle engines, but I have found those few and far between. You have to decide what will best fit your needs. If lower Hp is ok than a 4-stroke requires less service in that you do not have to mix the fuel and run much cleaner. If you need more Hp than a 2- stroke is the way to go. Oh yes, If you get a newer 2-stroke, they run much cleaner. The fuel-oil mix is much less than older engines. Fair Winds Gerry
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Mike
More torque too
A four stroke also provides more low-end torque than a two stroke. This is a good thing for sailors who don't generally run their engines full out. However, outboard mounting brackets must be specifically designed to accomodate the extra torque. If you do go with the four stroke, make sure your existing bracket can take the strain. I recently replaced my 18 year old 9.9 Evinrude electric start (two stroke) with a Nissan 8 hp two stroke electric start. I decided not to go with the four stroke because of the weight and cost. I agree with what everyone else has written: two stroke engines may eventually be banned, but we are many, many years from that happening. The existing bans that I know of (outside of California) are very rare. In any case, even if it ever happens, the change will undoubtedly be implemented as all previous similar changes: the government will ban the sale and manufacture of new two strokes. The "fleet" of existing two stroke engines will evenutally be completely replaced. Others have written here about how they are glad they don't have to mix the gas and oil anymore with their four stroke. Because I only go through about a tank and half (about 9 gallons) a season, this was a very minor consideration for me. I bought my Nissan from Sailnet. No sales tax, no shipping. Unexpected bonus: my kids played with the box for months.
A four stroke also provides more low-end torque than a two stroke. This is a good thing for sailors who don't generally run their engines full out. However, outboard mounting brackets must be specifically designed to accomodate the extra torque. If you do go with the four stroke, make sure your existing bracket can take the strain. I recently replaced my 18 year old 9.9 Evinrude electric start (two stroke) with a Nissan 8 hp two stroke electric start. I decided not to go with the four stroke because of the weight and cost. I agree with what everyone else has written: two stroke engines may eventually be banned, but we are many, many years from that happening. The existing bans that I know of (outside of California) are very rare. In any case, even if it ever happens, the change will undoubtedly be implemented as all previous similar changes: the government will ban the sale and manufacture of new two strokes. The "fleet" of existing two stroke engines will evenutally be completely replaced. Others have written here about how they are glad they don't have to mix the gas and oil anymore with their four stroke. Because I only go through about a tank and half (about 9 gallons) a season, this was a very minor consideration for me. I bought my Nissan from Sailnet. No sales tax, no shipping. Unexpected bonus: my kids played with the box for months.
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Vic
Keep the Honda?
I don't know how old your Honda is, but it is unusual for it to have the problems starting. I agree with the response that you might want to have a dealer check it out. Sometimes the carburetors and fuel systems gum up and can make them cantankerous, but I know that dealers fix these things regularly and then they work fine. It is important to drain the gas each season including that which is in the fuel system. Anyway, before spending the money on a new motor, it might be worth spending a bit with a dealer to be sure this one is really dead.
I don't know how old your Honda is, but it is unusual for it to have the problems starting. I agree with the response that you might want to have a dealer check it out. Sometimes the carburetors and fuel systems gum up and can make them cantankerous, but I know that dealers fix these things regularly and then they work fine. It is important to drain the gas each season including that which is in the fuel system. Anyway, before spending the money on a new motor, it might be worth spending a bit with a dealer to be sure this one is really dead.
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Jim A
Tohatso is the only motor, HONDA STINKS!
Almost all small motor are made by Tohatso, including nission, johnson and mercury. Honda's stink! I have one and am thinking of replacing it with a Tohatso too!
Almost all small motor are made by Tohatso, including nission, johnson and mercury. Honda's stink! I have one and am thinking of replacing it with a Tohatso too!
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Pete
Honda Stinks?
I quess that is why they make Ford and Chevy !Can't please everyone! but just let me know when and where you are going to throw out the Honda !
I quess that is why they make Ford and Chevy !Can't please everyone! but just let me know when and where you are going to throw out the Honda !
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Warren
Two vs. Four Cycle
If weight is important......go with a two cycle. Don't forget you have a sailboat not a motorboat.
If weight is important......go with a two cycle. Don't forget you have a sailboat not a motorboat.
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Don K.
From Don K.
Maybe I should make something clear. I am not the young man I used to be. My two partners in the boat are much younger and do not have the problem I do starting the engine. The location of the motor makes it hard for me to put my whole body weight into pulling the starter rope. With the high transom I can't get a level pull. I have to pull upward. Once the engine is running it is a good motor. That is the reason for my wanting to change engines.
Maybe I should make something clear. I am not the young man I used to be. My two partners in the boat are much younger and do not have the problem I do starting the engine. The location of the motor makes it hard for me to put my whole body weight into pulling the starter rope. With the high transom I can't get a level pull. I have to pull upward. Once the engine is running it is a good motor. That is the reason for my wanting to change engines.
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Rick Webb
Another Solution?
It may be posible to add the electric start onto the motor. Though for what the retrofit would cost the new motor minus selling the old motor is likely the way to go.
It may be posible to add the electric start onto the motor. Though for what the retrofit would cost the new motor minus selling the old motor is likely the way to go.
Just a reminder
Don, I may be barking up the wrong tree... but just wanted to remind that the Honda 8-4 stroke pre 2001 model, requires parking the throttle for starting counterclockwise against the shift stop. The black band with the markings for start/shift/ and throttle amount setting can rotate after a few years. Mine will not start if its not preset to the proper start position... if set properly, she starts usually the first pull and never needs more than two.
Don, I may be barking up the wrong tree... but just wanted to remind that the Honda 8-4 stroke pre 2001 model, requires parking the throttle for starting counterclockwise against the shift stop. The black band with the markings for start/shift/ and throttle amount setting can rotate after a few years. Mine will not start if its not preset to the proper start position... if set properly, she starts usually the first pull and never needs more than two.
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Karen Roberts
Had a hard time starting, too, but...
I had an awful time starting my new Honda, then one day I remembered a small detail the dealer told me. 1. move the on/off slide over; 2. loosen the small air cap on the gas cap about 3 turns; 3. Pull the choke; AND 4. Turn the throttle up slighty. Once I turned the throttle up some it started up right away. Now if it sits a month, it may take 6-10 pulls. But run weekly it starts first or second pull if the throttle is advanced some. Like the other fella said, maybe you've done all that and we're barking up the wrong tree. Good Luck, Karen
I had an awful time starting my new Honda, then one day I remembered a small detail the dealer told me. 1. move the on/off slide over; 2. loosen the small air cap on the gas cap about 3 turns; 3. Pull the choke; AND 4. Turn the throttle up slighty. Once I turned the throttle up some it started up right away. Now if it sits a month, it may take 6-10 pulls. But run weekly it starts first or second pull if the throttle is advanced some. Like the other fella said, maybe you've done all that and we're barking up the wrong tree. Good Luck, Karen
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Don K.
From Don K Again
I tried something different today with my Honda. I tied a few feet of line to the rope starter handle so I could stand in a more upright position and it was much easier to pull and the engine started with the first pull!!
I tried something different today with my Honda. I tied a few feet of line to the rope starter handle so I could stand in a more upright position and it was much easier to pull and the engine started with the first pull!!
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