Tohatsu 3.5 no spark

[beepx2]

This motor thrown in with a boat I bought. It is the model without a shifter. Hasn't run in 5+ years, but is likely low hours. I cleaned out the tank and lines and carb, changed the plug, use new gas. Get no spark. I suspect the coil. (black plastic thing on side of motor with one big and one small wire coming out of it.)<br /><br />Is there a way to test this with a meter on or off the motor to see if it is bad/ok? <br /><br /><br /> Is there anything else obvious I should check/test?<br /><br />Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks<br /><br />edit> I just checked a manual I found on line: it may be a stop switch lock missing- I dont even know of the motor has one, I never noticed it, I hope that is it.

 

[TimMattson]

Re: Tohatsu 3.5 no spark

Pull one of the two wires from the kill switch .... or maybe the one black wire at the coil or to the block,if it is rusty or loose,then clean it up.Unhook it and keep it clear of the block while turning it over.Pull the spark plug to make it easy to spin with one hand......If it sparks ,then youre in luck.....if not,then youll need a new coil or an ign. pack.<br /> Do not buy any parts for it if the compression is less than 85 psi as even with spark it wont idle good enough to use.<br /> If you get it running then drain the lower unit lube to check for neglect or water.An impact driver will probably be needed if it has been 5 years prior to service.<br /> Tim M

 

[beepx2]

Re: Tohatsu 3.5 no spark

Tim, Thanks for the tips.<br /><br />Last night I pulled the flywheel/rotor and saw that the points were badly corroded. This must be a fairly old motor. serial no is 22498 or thereabouts <br /><br />The kill switch does not have one of those "man overboard" shutoff clips. It is a simple pushbutton. -so that's not the problem.<br /><br />I will check the compression with my finger: I don't have a gauge, and I suspect very low hours on the motor. <br /><br />I'll buy a set of points and a condenser and a couple of shearpins, and see if it sparks when I put it back together. The lower unit is off already. <br /><br />I'll post what happens. Thanks for the advice!<br /><br />Edit> just ordered points and condenser from Trade Wind Inflatables in Costa Mesa, Ca. (not in stock, must be ordered from Tohatsu) They estimate my motor to be mid-eighties vintage.

 

[beepx2]

Re: Tohatsu 3.5 no spark

Update on my situation: Motor fired last night.<br />I put in the new points and condenser, and it fired right up. One question: what should I set the points gap to? I have a downloaded manual that doesn't have that spec, just the plug gap of 1mm. I just eyeballed the points at about 1mm. I tore down the lower unit, and there is no visible wear on the gears, clean fluid and no rust. Thumbs up to Trade Winds Inflatables for great customer service and good prices on parts. Lookig forward to trying out my "new" motor.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu 3.5 no spark

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