New Tohatsu 20 Smoke

evanburen

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
10
I bought a brand new 20HP Tohatsu 4 stroke electric start in the spring and it's been great all summer - clean, quiet, reliable. I probably put 15-20 hours on it this season. A couple of weeks ago , after the engine sits cold for a few days, I noticed that after choking it and using the electric start that sometimes a fairly large billow of white smoke would come out of it for a few seconds and then stop. It reminded me of an 2 stroke. Is this normal behavior for an engine like this? I don't know much about outboards. Thanks
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
I was wondering if it was stored on the it's side.

Worn valve guides act like that, but 20 hours isn't much time. Is break-in over?
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Temp issue, condensation, just like cars when started early in the morning. Worry if keeps smoking....

Happy Boating
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
"white Smoke" from moisture will disperse quickly. "white Smoke" from oil will disperse slowly and will have that distinct 2 stroke smell.
 
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