9.8 hp Tohatsu smokes on startup

[BobGlover]

My 9.8 Tohatsu starts ok, but really smokes on the first startup. On subsequent starts, it smokes much less. Any ideas what’s wrong?

 

[racerone]

Year ?---Model # ?----A 2 stroke or 4 stroke ?

 

[airshot]

If a two stroke it is normal as left over fuel residue inside the cylinders evaporates leaving just the two stroke oil. First start burns up all that extra oil resudue. If a four stroke engine then some compression testing should be done to check the motors health

 

[pvanv]

Yes. if the old 9.8B, it will smoke at initial fireup. If an MFS9.8A or B it might be overfilled with oil, or over choked.

 

[QBhoy]

I’d be worried if it didn’t smoke

 

[MattFL]

Cold 2-strokes will smoke. Also some 2-stroke oil is smokier than others.

 

[racerone]

What motor is this ?---Model # ----A 2 stroke or 4 stroke ?

 

[BobGlover]

Yes. if the old 9.8B, it will smoke at initial fireup. If an MFS9.8A or B it might be overfilled with oil, or over choked.

I finally took it out of the lake! It’s a 10 yr. old NSF9.8A3. I ran a compression test, and it’s got 125 psi on both cylinders. However, the plugs look oily. I changed them several years ago, but the motor hasn’t been used much. The oil level is ok, on the lower half of the stick. Was changed last spring. Why would the plugs foul so quickly?