Well that didn't go like it was supposed to... motor trouble question?!?!?!?!

Motor ran as it should this morning, thanks all for the advice. I won't say it ran perfect on start, but settled in within a few seconds and ran well the rest of the day.

I mostly wanted to visit some of my favorite spots seeing that this may be my last trip out there. I wanted to see some places where long dead dogs made their first or last retrieves. Think back on all the rocks I've hit and didn't lose a lower unit. Check out all the places that I think are great spots that never produce. I did find a couple pockets of birds in spots where they often are, but in the end just came home early without loading the gun or putting a decoy in the water. Beaver would have preferred I shot something. I'm glad I don't have any ducks to clean.

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tod osier said:
Update... The hose froze nearly solid, so I had to thaw it before a motor test. Connected my little fuel tank of pure gas and drained the bowls and hopefully purged out any water. Motor started and idled smooth.

I looked at the lower cowling and the drains were plugged up with dead bugs, so that could have contributed to me noticing the copious quantities of fuel that built up. I filled it up with water and got the drains opened up. Now at least it won't accumulate that quantity of fuel again.

I looked at new motors. Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki do not make short shaft 40s anymore. Tohatsu still does. Obviously, I could easily build up the transom, but the boat is built for a short shaft and I'd prefer to keep it that way. Anyone have a concern with a Tohatsu compared to (what I'd consider) the top tier motors?

Pretty sharp looking.

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Tod, can't say enough good things about the Tohatsu motors. My 17' TDB has the newer 2022 40hp and I've been impressed with the torque it can put out. My father purchased a 2001 Tohatsu 50hp and the motor is still running 1000+ hours today in NYC Harbor on a workboat used daily. Like anything else with good maintenance they will run forever. Also the fuel economy on my 40hp with the 17 TDB is phenomenal I run a 12 gallon tank and noticed my usage is around 6-7gph
 
tod osier said:
I don't believe that is true. The numbers certainly do not support that. Smaller motors, maybe, but not the 40 and 50.
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I was told by my Suzuki dealer who is also a Mercury dealer, the motors from Mercury built in the US are 75hp and up. Some motors in the 40hp to 60hp range are manufactured by Mercury in China and some are rebranded Tohatsu. Since I was buying a Suzuki I left it at that and didn't ask which models were built where.
 
Anthony Babich said:
Tod, can't say enough good things about the Tohatsu motors. My 17' TDB has the newer 2022 40hp and I've been impressed with the torque it can put out. My father purchased a 2001 Tohatsu 50hp and the motor is still running 1000+ hours today in NYC Harbor on a workboat used daily. Like anything else with good maintenance they will run forever. Also the fuel economy on my 40hp with the 17 TDB is phenomenal I run a 12 gallon tank and noticed my usage is around 6-7gph
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The Tohatsu use to get a better gearing ratio , especially important when carrying a load, than the same motor branded as Merc. That was when I bought mine 4 years ago, not sure about now.
 
Josh Schwenger said:
Sorry it's on 206 called "mighty Joes I think they sell it buy the liter. It usually cost per liter what you pay for regular gas per gallon.
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I expect NJ is under the same federal clean air rules that mandate ethanol at all pumps as here in ct. The only thing available is off road high octane race fuel here and it is only available in a couple places . On the pure gas website some stations in ct look like they have it at the pump, but it is in a bucket. Grabbing some when out of state may be the best option as far as $$$ and actually getting what you want (standard octane from the pump).
 
Josh Schwenger said:
Sorry it's on 206 called "mighty Joes I think they sell it buy the liter. It usually cost per liter what you pay for regular gas per gallon.
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Ouch. 6 gallon tank, 22L so I suppose at $4 a gallon that's $90 (rounded). I suppose it's still better than having to pull apart an FI system. Looks like the road trip to PA might be worth it. Take my son to Cabela's while I'm out there.
 
tod osier said:
I expect NJ is under the same federal clean air rules that mandate ethanol at all pumps as here in ct. The only thing available is off road high octane race fuel here and it is only available in a couple places . On the pure gas website some stations in ct look like they have it at the pump, but it is in a bucket. Grabbing some when out of state may be the best option as far as $$$ and actually getting what you want (standard octane from the pump).
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I have a buddy that buys the VP racing fuel here in the cans for a decent chunk of change. He's running a 2-stroke though, and it's all pre-mix. That, to me, isn't a bad option. No mixing, no hassle, all ethanol-free. It's very expensive though.

Ironically, I have one of the only VP gas stations 15 min from me here in NJ. I stopped one time, hoping I could score some fresh ethanol-free racing fuel, but nope.

Another option: Rec-90 ethanol free aviation gas. They typically don't dispense to the public though. Typing this reminded me I have a client with a small airplane that I believe uses it.
 
Jay K said:
Ouch. 6 gallon tank, 22L so I suppose at $4 a gallon that's $90 (rounded). I suppose it's still better than having to pull apart an FI system. Looks like the road trip to PA might be worth it. Take my son to Cabela's while I'm out there.
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Yeah, that is what it is like here, maybe even more expensive here.

Given all the options, you can see why it is just easier to get it out of state if that is possible.
 
I'm in CT too. I've been buying buckets of "race" fuel. I'm currently using Renegade brand. I get a good price from a buddy, but it's still $85 for 5 gallons.
I decided to use the non ethanol Renegade because I don't want to have to worry about the gas through the multiple duck goose splits that span September to February.
I've been running it 100% this season, but will probably switch to pump gas during the heart of the season next year, then back to the race fuel at the end of the season.

I want to add my motor is a 20 hp Suzuki 4 stroke. It's pretty good on fuel economy
 
tod osier said:
Motor ran as it should this morning, thanks all for the advice. I won't say it ran perfect on start, but settled in within a few seconds and ran well the rest of the day.

I mostly wanted to visit some of my favorite spots seeing that this may be my last trip out there. I wanted to see some places where long dead dogs made their first or last retrieves. Think back on all the rocks I've hit and didn't lose a lower unit. Check out all the places that I think are great spots that never produce. I did find a couple pockets of birds in spots where they often are, but in the end just came home early without loading the gun or putting a decoy in the water. Beaver would have preferred I shot something. I'm glad I don't have any ducks to clean.

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That is a wonderful photo.

Retiring and moving to another place takes courage and a leap of faith. Leaving a place you have been for many years that helped shape who you are and what you enjoy is physical. Your mind will not forget the places you have hunted & fished and spent so much time Outdoors. You will enjoy the seasons in your new home yet you will not forget the seasons where your roots are. Memories come more often in older age they keep you tied to where you were. Exploring your new home state will take up much of your time for many years to come. Your going to a good place so the WOW factor keeps building and many adventures are ahead. I write this from my personal experience.

Best regards
Vince
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
That is a wonderful photo.

Retiring and moving to another place takes courage and a leap of faith. Leaving a place you have been for many years that helped shape who you are and what you enjoy is physical. Your mind will not forget the places you have hunted & fished and spent so much time Outdoors. You will enjoy the seasons in your new home yet you will not forget the seasons where your roots are. Memories come more often in older age they keep you tied to where you were. Exploring your new home state will take up much of your time for many years to come. Your going to a good place so the WOW factor keeps building and many adventures are ahead. I write this from my personal experience.

Best regards
Vince
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Good thoughts, I’m hoping you (and I) are right and the juice turns out to be worth the squeeze. I’m very excited about what is ahead and am hoping the body and brain hold out to enjoy it fully!
 
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