Thanks so much for putting this together and sharing it. I am about to go through the break-in period with a 20hp Tohatsu, and this video is especially helpful!
Good to see the safety clipped to you i heard a story about a guy who had the safety around his wrist and he had an incident to where it slipped over his wrist and he was in the water watching his boat drive away.
Wow. Scary. I've killed the engine a few times because I forgot about it being still clipped on, so I know it works well. I've caught myself forgetting to put it back on, too. But I have 35 hours on the motor now so minding the lanyard is more natural. Thank you for your comment.
Great video, thanks. I just ordered the 2023 20hp. It should arrive right before the hurricane coming this week, so it may take a little more time to break in. 😀
Great video and brilliantly explained, im about to buy a tohatsu 15hp and was wondering what the running in process was. How do you find the outboard since running it in. Would love to see a review from you about it.
I don't work for Tohatsu but my educated guess ( as a mechanical engineer) is that the lawyers came up with this long and complex process in to have the option to deny warranty claims if run history in the computer doesn't show compliance. The process is cumbersome and near impossible to execute correctly. IMH, the importance lies in limiting and varying RPM's in the first couple of hours of running.
In how many days/weeks/months do I need to complete this break in period? I have a sailboat so I assume I will be using/needing the engine minimum unless I need to do this break in before I start using the boat in a few days. Thanks 🙏
The motor included a 3 gallon tank. The fuel usage varies depending on the RPMs, the type of boat, the weight, weather, etc. With fuel injection, it's not good to run out of fuel, so I never ran the tank much below 1 gallon. It runs for a several hours with my setup. I carry an extra 5 gallon fuel container as a backup.
Great question. Because I wanted to be able to troll at slower speeds. When I'm by myself, I do struggle to get on plane unless I set the trim very low. Then I have to carefully slow down or the wake washes over the transom.
Break in time is a waste of time! To keep it simple variable speed (2,10,30 minutes and 1-2 hours) except for full throttle for the first 10 hours. Change your oil and filter after the 10 hours and your good to go. If it breaks down that's what your warranty is for! Not complicated, but instructions are silly!
What a boring process! About to buy an MFS 20E but 10 hours is effectively a whole weekends boating for me. I guess main thing is fluids change at 10 hours
It doesn't necessarily have to be boring. I wanted to create the video, so that was our priority and watching wildlife was amazing. Anyway, do what you like, but not following procedures could void the warranty or possibly shorten the life of the motor. I'm not wealthy, so I am doing my best to follow the manual. Good luck. I really appreciate your comment and valid perspective. Much of the 2nd day was boring for me. :-)
@@therosses5 Thanks for you reply and please do not think that I was suggesting video is boring - I completely get the notion of taking time to enjoy be afloat. My point was the prescribed running-in (that's UK term for break in btw) process seems laborious and protracted. It's the same for Suzuki 4S outboards. What I can't understand with modern 4S outboards, is this complicated and extended running in period. For example maorityof modern 4S car engines do not have this - since manufacturing tolerances and metallurgy and oil lube technology is much advanced from 1970s, they are effectively bedded-in by design. Of course they still advise to warm/cool and not use either extended full throttle and revs nor labor the unit for say 1000 miles, otherwise you just get on and drive it. I just wonder why is the marine outboard industry different ? Give us Oldies something to do? 😀 Anyway enjoy your boating and you engine. Keep us updated how it is going. Thank you from the UK
@@gaycha6589 I think its because car engines run at varying speeds and loads for the most part, whereas an outboard is often run wide open for hours. My big question is why does the break in procedure differ between the small Mercs and Tohatsus when Tohatsu makes them both? 😕
My 2018 automobile 'required' a break in, in terms of running the engine at higher speeds in order to best 'seat' the pistons. Agree for an outboard the variable RPMs probably helps to 'optimize wear', so as to not prematurely wear the cylinders. I am not an outboard mechanic, just my general understanding of the matter. Interesting that Merc and Tohatsu have different break-in periods.
What a great information. I just got a 9.9 F.I. for our fishing boat and my son is so excited.
So awesome. This will be my 3rd season. I can't wait to take it out this year!! Enjoy!
Thanks so much for putting this together and sharing it. I am about to go through the break-in period with a 20hp Tohatsu, and this video is especially helpful!
That's great to know. I wasn't sure how helpful it would be. Glad it helps. Enjoy your new motor.
Good to see the safety clipped to you i heard a story about a guy who had the safety around his wrist and he had an incident to where it slipped over his wrist and he was in the water watching his boat drive away.
Wow. Scary. I've killed the engine a few times because I forgot about it being still clipped on, so I know it works well. I've caught myself forgetting to put it back on, too. But I have 35 hours on the motor now so minding the lanyard is more natural. Thank you for your comment.
The way I read it for my 6hp at least, was 20 hours for oil change. 10 hours is just when you can start using full throttle any time.
Yes, the first 10 hours is the break in period. Your procedures may be different for the 6hp, though.
Great video, thanks. I just ordered the 2023 20hp. It should arrive right before the hurricane coming this week, so it may take a little more time to break in. 😀
Congratulations! Let us know how it goes? Which options did you choose?
Haha I just got my wahoo skiff repowered with a 60hp Tohatsu and I want to break it in so bad but this hurricane keeping me inside!🤣
@@kennyhollidayjr5206 OH man! So sorry. Stay safe.
Great video and brilliantly explained, im about to buy a tohatsu 15hp and was wondering what the running in process was. How do you find the outboard since running it in. Would love to see a review from you about it.
I love it and am thinking about trying the prop mentioned in another comment to reduce the vibration.
I don't work for Tohatsu but my educated guess ( as a mechanical engineer) is that the lawyers came up with this long and complex process in to have the option to deny warranty claims if run history in the computer doesn't show compliance. The process is cumbersome and near impossible to execute correctly. IMH, the importance lies in limiting and varying RPM's in the first couple of hours of running.
Can you imagine if we had to do this after driving a brand new car off the lot!?! Haha.
Ordered a pull start 20 hp due to it being 10lb lighter at 95 lb, otherwise id definitely would go with electric
It's a great motor. Enjoy!
youtube recommended cool environment
In how many days/weeks/months do I need to complete this break in period? I have a sailboat so I assume I will be using/needing the engine minimum unless I need to do this break in before I start using the boat in a few days. Thanks 🙏
There is no time frame. I would do it as soon as you can, though. Best of luck!
How many miles can you go with a full tank? How big is the gas tank?
The motor included a 3 gallon tank. The fuel usage varies depending on the RPMs, the type of boat, the weight, weather, etc. With fuel injection, it's not good to run out of fuel, so I never ran the tank much below 1 gallon. It runs for a several hours with my setup. I carry an extra 5 gallon fuel container as a backup.
Why not 20 hp? Its same weight?
Great question. Because I wanted to be able to troll at slower speeds. When I'm by myself, I do struggle to get on plane unless I set the trim very low. Then I have to carefully slow down or the wake washes over the transom.
Break in time is a waste of time! To keep it simple variable speed (2,10,30 minutes and 1-2 hours) except for full throttle for the first 10 hours. Change your oil and filter after the 10 hours and your good to go. If it breaks down that's what your warranty is for! Not complicated, but instructions are silly!
I'm not saying you are incorrect, but they put instructions in the manual. Thanks for your comment.
What a boring process! About to buy an MFS 20E but 10 hours is effectively a whole weekends boating for me. I guess main thing is fluids change at 10 hours
It doesn't necessarily have to be boring. I wanted to create the video, so that was our priority and watching wildlife was amazing. Anyway, do what you like, but not following procedures could void the warranty or possibly shorten the life of the motor. I'm not wealthy, so I am doing my best to follow the manual. Good luck. I really appreciate your comment and valid perspective. Much of the 2nd day was boring for me. :-)
@@therosses5 Thanks for you reply and please do not think that I was suggesting video is boring - I completely get the notion of taking time to enjoy be afloat.
My point was the prescribed running-in (that's UK term for break in btw) process seems laborious and protracted. It's the same for Suzuki 4S outboards.
What I can't understand with modern 4S outboards, is this complicated and extended running in period. For example maorityof modern 4S car engines do not have this - since manufacturing tolerances and metallurgy and oil lube technology is much advanced from 1970s, they are effectively bedded-in by design. Of course they still advise to warm/cool and not use either extended full throttle and revs nor labor the unit for say 1000 miles, otherwise you just get on and drive it. I just wonder why is the marine outboard industry different ? Give us Oldies something to do? 😀
Anyway enjoy your boating and you engine. Keep us updated how it is going. Thank you from the UK
@@gaycha6589 No worries. I knew exactly what you meant. Many wonder if engines really need to be broken in. You're not alone. 😀
@@gaycha6589 I think its because car engines run at varying speeds and loads for the most part, whereas an outboard is often run wide open for hours. My big question is why does the break in procedure differ between the small Mercs and Tohatsus when Tohatsu makes them both? 😕
My 2018 automobile 'required' a break in, in terms of running the engine at higher speeds in order to best 'seat' the pistons. Agree for an outboard the variable RPMs probably helps to 'optimize wear', so as to not prematurely wear the cylinders. I am not an outboard mechanic, just my general understanding of the matter. Interesting that Merc and Tohatsu have different break-in periods.