Tohatsu Outboards

How can I get a replacement owner's manual for my Tohatsu outboard?

Tohatsu outboard owner's manuals are available for downloading from our website at no charge. The manuals are in Adobe Acrobat "PDF" format. Replacement printed owner's manuals can be ordered through any of our Tohatsu dealers. Click here to view the manuals.

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How can I get a service and/or parts manual for my Tohatsu outboard?

Service manuals for Tohatsu outboards are available from Clymer Manuals and can be ordered through us. Please give us a call at 1-888-708-4703 and let us know which manual you need and you'll be able to buy it right over the phone.

*(Tohatsu is not responsible for the information contained in 3rd party manuals).

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How do I order a Tohatsu outboard from your site?

It's actually very simple and easy. Just give us a call toll free at 1-888-708-4703 and let us know which outboard you would like and where you would like us to ship it. Once we have your information we accept payment several different ways. You can purchase your new Tohatsu outboard by major credit card, wire transfer, or mail us a check or money order. If you are paying by personal check we will need to wait until it clears our account before shipping your motor.

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How soon will I receive my outboard once I've placed my order?

It depends on where you live in the United States. Your outboard will normally ship within 72 hours. Generally, any 9.9 HP and less will be shipped by UPS ground and can be delivered in 3-7 business days. Larger motors are shipped by a freight carrier and can be delivered in 3-10 business days.

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What horsepower motor should I put on my boat?

There is no one simple answer to this question. There are many factors which must be taken into account, most importantly is to never exceed the horsepower rating of the boat. Other factors to be taken into account are the weight of the boat, weight of passengers/gear, and your expected use of the boat (do you want to water ski? troll around your local lake? etc).

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What size propeller should I use?

As with trying to choose the right horsepower, choosing the right propeller to fit your needs requires you to take a number of factors into account. We have put together a detailed section regarding propellers to help you determine which is the best prop for the job. Please bear in mind that there is no one magic answer that will absolutely guarantee that the prop you choose will give you the performance you expect; sometimes it's simply a matter of trying different props to determine which one will work best for your particular application. Click here to view our prop selection chart.

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How do I order replacement parts for my Tohatsu outboard?

Give us a call at 1-888-708-4703 and we'll make sure you get what you need. Tohatsu only sells through our dealer network. Tohatsu strives to maintain a 24 hour turn-around on all parts orders received from their dealers, so if we do not have your particular part in-stock, we can usually receive it within a matter of a few days. (Federal Express/UPS Next Day shipping options are available...please see your dealer for details).

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What is the ratio of oil and gas that I need to mix for my Tohatsu 2-Stroke outboard?

With the exception of our outboards which have oil injection systems, Tohatsu 2-stroke outboards require a 50:1 (2.5 ounces of oil for each gallon of gas) oil/gas mixture after the initial break-in period. Tohatsu outboards which have oil injection will automatically mix the correct amount of oil and gas depending on the engine requirements; you don't have to pre-mix your oil & gas with these systems. Click here to see a handy chart to help you calculate the amount of oil/gas to mix.

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Can I use any kind of oil in my Tohatsu 2-Stroke outboard?

For your 2-stroke outboard, be sure and use only 2-cycle outboard oil, with an NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) certified rating of TCW3. Never, never, never use automobile oil in your 2-stroke outboard. You can find Tohatsu 2-stroke outboard motor oil at your local dealer.

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Can I use any kind of oil in my Tohatsu 4-Stroke outboard?

For your 4-stroke outboard, you can use any type of automotive motor oil with a rating of SAE10W-40 (API Grade SG, SF, SH or SJ).

Your Tohatsu 4-stroke outboard is equipped with an Engine Oil Warning Lamp. When the warning lamp is off, it indicates that sufficient oil pressure is present. If the warning lamp is on (red light is on) or blinking on/off, immediately shut down your outboard and check the oil level. Replenish as needed. If the oil level is at the appropriate level and the light continues to stay on or blink, consult your local dealer for assistance (do not use your outboard until a dealer has corrected the problem).

You may notice the engine oil warning lamp come on when you first start your outboard. This is normal and should go off after a few seconds.

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Do I have to use any special type of gas (super unleaded, regular unleaded, etc) in my Tohatsu outboard?

The minimum octane rating that you should use is 87, however, we recommend using gas with an octane rating of 89 or higher.

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I don't have any water coming from the "tell tale" water hole on my outboard. What should I do?

Immediately shut down your outboard! Do not start your engine back up until the problem is corrected or you will overheat and severely damage your engine. First check the water intake on your lower unit and make sure that it is unobstructed. If the water intake is clear then chances are your water pump impeller needs to be replaced or you have an obstruction inside your lower unit. Take your outboard to your nearest dealer for inspection.

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How often should I have my water pump impeller changed?

You should inspect your water pump impeller each year before taking your boat out on the water. We recommend you change your impeller every year at a minimum depending on the amount of use you put on your outboard. One thing to remember is that even if you only use your outboard a couple of times a year you still need to have your impeller checked/replaced every year. Water pump impellers are made from rubber and will deteriorate over time even without being used (commonly referred to as "dry rot"); this can be just as damaging to your water pump as wear and tear.

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I don't have a remote electric start engine, is there any way to shut off my Tohatsu outboard without having to pull the safety lanyard cord off each time?

Yes, simply press in the "button" where the lanyard cord attaches to the outboard. This will shut off the engine without having to remove the lanyard cord.

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Do Tohatsu outboards come with lower unit oil already installed from the factory?

Yes. The lower unit gear oil has already been added at the factory, however, you should check to ensure it is completely full before starting your outboard for the first time. To replace/add lower unit oil we recommend any SAE 80 or 90 weight oil. You may also want to check out our web page giving you step-by-step instructions on how to change and check the oil in your lower unit.

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Do Tohatsu 4-stroke outboards come with crankcase oil already installed from the factory?

NO!!! Tohatsu 4-stroke outboards are not filled with oil from the factory. Before you start your 4-stroke outboard you must add oil to the crankcase. If you do not add oil, you will severely damage your outboard. Running a 4-stroke without crankcase oil would be like running your car without oil...the engine will seize up and you will end up having to replace the engine block/powerhead (this type of damage is not covered under warranty). Any SAE 10W-40 motor oil will work fine. Please consult your owner's manual for the proper amount to add and for the proper break-in and operating procedures.

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How can I tell what shaft length my outboard needs to be?

Measure from the top of your transom to the bottom of your keel. If it is from 14" to 16" long you'll need to get a Tohatsu outboard with a "short" shaft. If it is from 17" to 22" long you'll need our "long" shaft outboard. Tohatsu outboard shafts are measured from the bottom of the engine mounting bracket to the cavitation plate on the lower unit. Generally most boats need either a short or long shaft although some boats require a 25" shaft (ultra-long shaft) outboard.

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I have a Tohatsu 2.5hp (or 3.5hp) outboard. What size shear pin do I need to use?

Any 5/32" x 1" (4mm x 24mm) shear pin will work just fine. Remember that if you are using a resin prop you need to buy a brass shear pin so that you do not damage your prop if you strike an object (stainless steel shear pins won't "give" and you will end up damaging a resin prop). Stainless steel shear pins are available and should be used with only aluminum props.

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What is the break-in procedure for my Tohatsu outboard?

The break-in period is the most critical time in the life of your Tohatsu outboard. Correct operation during the break-in period will prolong the life of your new outboard and will ensure optimum performance. Properly breaking-in your new outboard will ensure the initial smooth operation and lubrication of all moving parts (pistons, gears, bearings, etc). For a complete list of break-in procedures for all Tohatsu outboards (both 2-stroke and 4-stroke) click here.

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Tohatsu Outboard Motors The Online Tohatsu Outboard Motor Superstore

Tohatsu Outboard Motors
The Online Tohatsu Outboard Motor Superstore