Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give gas

[Yeto]

I have a Nissan 4hp 4 stroke engine. It cranks fine but when I give it some gas about every 5-10 sec it will spit, cough, and hiccup. I have cleaned the carburetor and replaced the fuel filter to no avail. I did not soak the carb. I removed the jet that holds the needle jet in place and ran a tag wire threw the holes in both to clean the jets. I had to work with the needle jet to get it out as it seemed to be somewhat stuck.<br /><br />Are there any household products available that would be good for cleaning the carb as I only have a grocery store in my area?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any and all help.<br /><br />Yeto

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

You need to soak it...try vinegar, acetone or mineral spirits.

 

[mikemead402]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

I would also try WD-40 to soak it.<br /> BUT, Elvin, will you please comment on this.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

I have never tried to use wd-40 as a solvent. Maybe it would work, but I doubt it.

 

[boatster]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Couldn't you just soak it in gas as a solvent? That is if you didn't have access to anything else. Or just regular carburetor cleaner from the autoparts store should work. Thats what I use. I like the carburetor cleaner because it blasts the cleaner through the carb. Very solvent stuff.

 

[TimMattson]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Yeto,<br /> Any solvent will do though our shop manual says NOT to soak it.....I use compressed air to blow out the debris!<br /> The jet also is easier to clean with a set of micro drill bits(like those used on welding tips,etc.) around the .020 size and you need to NOT make the holes bigger or youll be re-jetting instead of cleaning.Youll lose low speed idle if the drill takes out any material. <br /> Tim

 

[tbertram]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Make sure you choke cable hasn't come loose and you choke is stuck on. The nut that holds the cable came loose on mine and when I pulled the choke it became stuck on. This engine (2004 Nissan 4hp) has been a pain, I have had problems since I bought it.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Tbert,<br /><br />What is your local dealer telling you about the problems you are having?

 

[tbertram]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

ELVIN,<br /><br />The engine was running badly and wouldn't idle properly, the carb bowl overflowed sometimes and it was hard to start. I brought it to the dealer because it was under warranty. They claimed the carb was varnished up because stale gas was left in it and charged me $111.50. They even showed me a photo that was supposed to be my carb bowl and jet. Anyway, the motor ran ok for about a month but just before the boat was due to be hauled out it started acting up again. I didn't want to risk getting hosed again by the dealer so decided to look at it myself. Last night I opened the carb, scary since I have probably voided the warranty, I found what looked like yellow jelly in the float bowl. I cleaned the carb with carb cleaner and used compressed air to clean out all passaged and jets. Put her back together and started it up. It now idles better than when it was new. I don't think that the dealer opened the carb and cleaned it out. I believe they shot some carb cleaner through the air intake and hosed me. My marina is full of horror stories from people who have been screwed by outboard dealers. From now on I will service this engine myself.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Re: Nissan 4hp 4 stroke - idles fine but coughs and spits threw card when I give

Fuel system problems are the biggest complaint that people have with outboards. To avoid carburetor problems always run the engine in neutral with the gas line disconnected to empty the bowl of most of the left over fuel. On your model you can also get to the carb bowl drain screw and empty it from there as well. Crooked dealers are a dime a dozen and it always pays to ask the right questions.