Dinghy Motor Advice

[WaterLover]

This weekend while enjoying my time "on the hook" my relatively new Nissan 9HP dinghy motor up and quit on me. Sounded like a fuel issue. I use only 100% gas but the fuel does tend to sit in the motor for long periods of time without use...so I suspect my first carburater jobs is in sight. Does anyone have advice on a good website to buy the kit from and also a good website to learn how to do the work?
Thanks,
Capt. Annie (Just passed my US Coast Guard OUPV test last week:)

[Marcy K]

Hi Capt Annie,

Sorry about the outboard issue and can't help with rebuild advice - just on how to avoid it (we did have same issue several years ago). You may/should run the fuel out of the carb each time you lay the outboard up for anything more than a day or so. Also always add an additive - we use Startron and have had no more carb issues with outboard, tractor, or lawn mower. The 87 octane and ethanol eats up small motors voraciously!

Marcy K
A 34 Paumanok
Westbrook CT

[jleonard]

I have ben using valvetech gas additive for many years , never run the engine dry except at the end of the season. My gas sits for sometimes a month and i never have had a problem related to fuel.

[twenham]

I don't have info on rebuild, but may have a solution. Add some Startron to some fresh gas and try to pump through the engine. The Startron will dissolve the varnish and clean everything the gas touches. Then make sure you use Startron in your gas to prevent problems in the future. It will also stabilize the gas. The stuff is amazing on how often I have told friends about it and it has helped clean up gummed up engines. I have been using it for four years and use it in all my gas engines.

[mike66]

Any resolution? There are some discussion sites regarding the Nissan/Tohatsu O/Bs that may be of use, just Google Nissan outboard problem or similar. Sorry if I'm late to the party. Just ordered a new carb for my 6HP, looks like these gum up all the time and need a thorough disassenbly/cleaning to make right. Symptoms are poor idle/stall in gear or neutral. I've changed out my fuel (3 mos old, StarTron additive) and will see what happens when the new carb arrives tomorrow. I'm going to install a water/fuel seperator filter on the dinghy for extra insurance.

[RobS]

The way I solved my Tohatsu iusse was to get rid of it and buy a Yamaha. Simply no comparison in build quality, etc.

[seasalt]

I had a Yamaha 15 hp 4 stroke attached to a 9.6 AB Rib on my last boat. It was a great combination but heavy. Is is possible to find 2 stroke outboards? They are lighter. I would love to have a 9.9 Yamaha 2 stroke.

[denchen]

For what its worth I use an additive sold by Briggs and Stratton to stop petrol `going off over winter` in lawn mowers. My outboard does not have any problems starting and running after standing for a long time. I get the additive from a local garden centre and its not expensive.

[mike66]

Update on my Tohatsu 6hp. Replaced carb with new one from Defender ($110.00) and Bingo! runs like new. One Tohatsu 'guru' online suggests disassembly and a 4-hour soak in carb cleaner for misbehaving units, guess I'll try that on the old one for a spare. His advice is to also use fuel <60 days old and always run dry at the end of the day. Can't hurt to try. I'm going to mount a water seperator/filter on the transom just for luck.
Agree that the long-term best solution is probably Honda or Yamaha, but too late now.

[halfmoon]

Has anyone tried the Lehr propane powered motors?

[DougSea]

Has anyone tried the Lehr propane powered motors?

I haven't, but they do look interesting. I keep eyeballing them at West Marine.

[mike66]

Saw one on Block Island this summer. Owner was very happy with it. That would eliminate fuel quality issues.

[RobS]

Has anyone tried the Lehr propane powered motors?

I haven't, but they do look interesting. I keep eyeballing them at West Marine.

Do they offer a 370hp inboard version?

[WaterLover]

Rob, that would take a serious amount of propane! ;o)

Spoke with a VERY happy new owner of a Lehr propane outboard this weekend at a boat club event. Thinking of selling my heavy 4-stroke (with fixed fuel issues) and buying myself an early Christmas present! The additional benefit for me would be that I can get a 5hp Lehr that weighs only ~30lbs negating my other issue with lifting my current ~80lb motor on and off the dinghy at anchor.

[seasalt]

I wonder how far one could go on a pound of propane?