Nissan idle problems

[artburr]

My 1999 Nissan 40 HP is rough at idle at and low speeds. I have to goose it a bit at times just to keep it running. It has been shop tuned (new plugs, carb. cleaned, etc.) but it still does it. Would it benefit from carbon removal or is it just the nature of the beast?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Nissan idle problems

If it idled ok and ran well at low speeds before, something has changed so its not the nature of the beast. The shop apparently did not do a good cleaning job on the carbs, or if it has adjustable idle mixture screws, did not set them properly, or possibly messed up the link & sync if they attempted that procedure.

 

[artburr]

Re: Nissan idle problems

No, nothing has changed. I have had the boat & motor less than a year and the problem has always been there - before and after I had it tuned. As I have mentioned before, there is no Nissan repair facility in this area and the shops that I have gone to (two of them, actually) really don't like to work on them.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Nissan idle problems

I would choose an independant outboard repair facility before I chose a dealer who would like you to be frustrated with your Nissan so you buy their particular brand. I would think in OR there would be a facility close by. Did you try the Nissan/ Tohatsu web sites and do a dealer search? I figure if there are 3 good dealers/ repair facilities close by to me in Montana, there should be one near you in OR. <br /><br />This type of problem is usually a carb issue and easily taken care of... That carbed 40 should run like a swiss watch. They are very reliable, smooth running and very forgiving. <br /><br />One thing I have done is purchase a service manual from Elvin. You will find that it helps you out of a lot of jams. They are very cheap and well worth the cost. It allows a dealer that has never worked on a Nissan/ Tohatsu to at least know what they are doing...if not allow you do even do it yourself...

 

[SeaTrek]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Art,<br />Your problem is most likely with a bad needle valve in the carb. When they start to go bad, they let just a little bit too much gas flow into the cylinders at idle but not enough to completely flood out the engine and kill it. Hence the reason why you can "goose" it to clear it out and it will run fine on medium to high throttle.<br />These carbs are a breeze to work on, it's just a slight pain to get 'em off the engine.<br />I've just done the carb on my 25hp, the kit was $43 ordered online and took less than an hour to rebuild.<br />You should also be aware of the fact that if your carb is badly gummed up and a lot of junk in the float bowl, the ONLY way to properly clean it is to soak it in a cleaning solution for 24 hours before rebuilding it. The spray bomb cleaners are useless for cleaning out the minute passageways within the carb body.<br />Sounds complicated but it really isn't.<br />This certainly is one area of repair that an owner can really prevent themselves from getting screwed by repair shops.<br />The Tohatsu/Nissan outboards are great, I own three of them.

 

[artburr]

Re: Nissan idle problems

SeaTrek: Thanks.. I ain't mechanical so I have an apt. to take it in to the last guy that worked on it. I will show him what you said.<br /><br />Now to Z-man. Who is Elvin and how do I order a manual from him?

 

[mattsaks]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Art B.<br />Elvin is the tohatsu expert who posts on this forum. His shop is www.internetoutboards.com<br />Have a look at his online shop or send an email order.

 

[artburr]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Order sent. Thank you mattsaks.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Art B-<br /><br />You will find that Elvin is out "resident" expert. Glad you were able to hook up with him and get a manual ordered. This is something that you should be able to get rectified- Nissan/ Tohatsu's like yours are fantastic engines. If you don't have luck with who is currently working on it, it is best to move on to a different tech. One of the best parts of Nissan/ Tohatsu engines like you have is their simplicity. They are pretty straight forward for most mechanics and can be tuned to run really well- they are very forgiving engines and not at all tempermental. Good luck and let us know how you make out!

 

[artburr]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Thanks Z-Man Mt. I am fairly sure that the reason that so few service people want to work on them is the lack of local access to parts. The only place that I have been able to find a fairly complete list of Nissan parts is MasterTech Marine, http://www.maxrules.com/fixnissanindex.html though, perhaps, Elvin has them if you call.

 

[SeaTrek]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Z-man....<br />

" Nissan/ Tohatsu's like yours are fantastic engines."<br />Right on!<br />Got to be one of the best out there, Yammies are a close second in the 2 cycles.<br />I just love to watch people launching their good boats with crappy American made outboard engines and expect to go fishing..<br />....Art, keep us informed.......

 

[mattsaks]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Let me know how it goes Art B. I took my 90 out yesterday after it had been sitting for a few months and it idled ok but had a funny miss just off idle before it cleared itself and went fine. Maybe a low speed jet/passage in the carb...

 

[oregonducker]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Art B,<br />My '02 Nissan 40 really like a good decarb session a couple of times a year. Makes the idle very smooth and it's very easy to do yourself. Pull a spark plug out and look in there with a flashlight. You'll see the carbon build up.<br />However, I'm currently having a high speed problem that a decarb didn't help. Nuts. <br />Dave

 

[oregonducker]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Forgot to mention that there is a shop in Scappoose that is willing and able to work on Nissans. Pretty good drive from Keizer though. Had them do a tune up/check up last year. Never had to have them deal with a real problem but that's where I'd go if I still lived there.

 

[oregonducker]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Now I forgot to say who it was.<br />Channel Marine<br />503-543-2377

 

[ericab]

Re: Nissan idle problems

Have a new Nissan 18. Motor worked great at the beginning of last season, however, towards the end, would not idle after starting. Had to continue to rev the engine to keep it running until she warmed up. Just received a call from the local authorized Nissan repair shop where I took it, and they say its the "Bi-starter". I researched bi-starter on the net and it works similar to a choke. Havn't got it back yet, so we will see if the replacement part does the trick. Will let you know.......