My Tohatsu outboard will start but only run for a few seconds each time. Any ideas?

Question

A few weeks ago my Tohatsu 2 stroke ran fine. I started her up after wintertizing it and it took a while for it to stay running to get all the stuff out. Ran the motor for about an hour and it ran smooth. A week later it wouldnt start. Cleaned out the filter, new gas, and cleaned some jelly out of the carb and pins. Checked all the fuel lines. Motor will now start for a 2-10 seconds each time before dying. Pulled apart the carb, fuel pump, and everything looks fine. The fuel is new and tried 2 different tanks, oil mixture is correct, and I always have the additive added each time I get new gas.

Answer 1

You should always run a 2 stroke completely out of gas every time you bring it off the water.  The reason is the 2 strokes are dirty and will gum up your valves and carburater, etc.  Not that this will help you get it started now; but once you get it going again, this help prevent this from happening again.

I am guessing now you are having a fuel line problem, do you have good pressure in your squeeze bulb; it should be firm.  You can disconnect the line and press down on the plunger and give it a squeeze to watch for flow of gas.

Answer 2

It's clearly a fuel problem and I'd look to the carb.  A quick check is to spray starter fuel, short burst into the throat of the carb, and see if it keeps running.  Then check for air leakage around the bowl of the carb.  Other than that re-check the fuel system from tank to carb.  Good luck!

Answer 3

check the vent also  check for spark it could be electrical problems

Answer 4

Don't forget about the choke. my 18 hp Tohatsu will fire right up on full choke-run for a few seconds and konk out, then I half choke it until it warms up.

Answer 5

GO BACK AND CHECK THE FILTER AGAIN ---SOUNDS LIKE IT PLUGGED BACK UP -----IF IT'S OK TRY STARTING WITH A LOOSE GAS CAP TO SEE IF VENT HOLE IS PLUGGED .

Answer 6

sameproblem.any.solutions?

Answer 7

U can try remove ur silencer & start it, if it work mean ur carb pilot jet or main jet worn out.