2010 Tohatsu 9.8hp wont idle.

[wpbailey]

I just bought a 2010 9.8 Tohatsu that was new in the box.
The motor has a little less than 2 hours on it but still wont idle.
It runs great but if I slow down, just a little less than the start setting, the outboard will stall. It has done this from the first time it was started.
Is there an adjustment that needs to be made?
The problem happens both in and out of gear.

 

[pvanv]

Re: 2010 Tohatsu 9.8 wont idle.

You didn't mention it, but I assume you have an MFS9.8A3. Model/serial is everything, year of manufacture is unimportant for servicing.

Could be a lot of things, but probably a carb adjustment problem. You could try adjusting the idle stop screw. If your dealer did a PDI (pre-delivery inspection), they should have checked warm idle with a tachometer. If they did not do one (you would have a long checklist of items inspected), and if your motor is less than 2 months old, you can take it to any dealer to have the PDI done for free.

VERIFY that the crankcase is not overfilled. Not even a drop. During the first 10-20 hours of break-in, half way on the dipstick is fine, since all 4-strokes will "make" some oil during break-in. This is especially true if the motor is idled a lot, or run in very cold water. If you just dumped in a full quart (the cc only holds 1-1/2 pints from dead empty), you are way overfilled, and the extra crankcase pressures will cause all sorts of problems, including stalling at idle.

 

[wpbailey]

Re: 2010 Tohatsu 9.8 wont idle.

I appreciate the information. I will post how it turned out and what the problem was.