Outboard Ignition Timing - setting up a Tohatsu 115HP 

Stu, you are the most comprehensive resource for boat maintenance on the internet. I've been going back through some of your older videos to familiarize myself for a 17' project boat that I am in the middle of. Also, I like to comment because I know it helps your channel's statistics. I'm still following your new stuff too. Keep on digging, you've got Renko looking good.

This was extremely helpful in making me understand the timing setup on my Nissan NS70B outboard. You are a great teacher! Thank you.

Thank you. This was simply amazing. Two things: 1) I'm an educator, and your ability to break down concepts is fantastic and, 2) I've been adjusting timing for 30 years and not ever really knowing why or what I was actually accomplishing. Again, thank you.

Sok köszönet ezért a videóért.Azonkívül,hogy lényegre törő,tökéletes a magyarázathoz kapcsolt képi mutatás.Sokat tanultam ebből a videóból.Köszönöm.

Such a scruffy guy... such amazing explanations :) . Thanks so much! From experience, most mechanics I've used just go with the "close enough" approach when tuning rather than actually going with the actual tolerances set by the manufacturer. This is how to do the job properly.

Super lucky I found this channel, been reading different web forums to try to understand and none really wraps it up like you do and still gets into the necessary specifics, really appreciate the time you into this!

I have learned so much from your teaching and I shop at Marine Engine.com because they sponsor your channel. This has to be one of your very best presentations. Clear, sequential and understandable, even for me! You have a gift brother!!!

Absolutely brilliant, Stu. Really enjoyed your presentation. I've had many highly educated university professors who couldn't come close to your ability to make the complex simple.

I’ve been trying to actually understand this for weeks. Endless watching and reading. After this I now get it. Thank you so much.

Great explanation of ignition timing and how to adjust it. 10/10. Thanks.

I am so glad that I finally understood what's going on here ! Being an idiot in electric field, I had to stop at first, then I watched quite a few videos in fundamentals in ignition and timing, before I came back again !!! Thanks , Stu !!

These videos are genius for us hobbyists out there. I spent a couple years in a technical/trade school learning my trade, and your teaching skills are definitely on level with a great trade school! Your videos all seem to have you begging for forgiveness when things go differently than planned, which, I think is usually the most instructive part of the topic. If it worked perfect every time, we'd all no you edited too much out.

Excellent video. Just like all your other videos fantastically easy to comprehend. Keep up the great work & sincere thanks for taking the time to educate all us enthusiasts.

I am new to ouboards. This is so similar to my 90 hp Johnson that I recognized the problem I have. You are a great teacher. Thanks,

Thanks Mate, you have a good knack at explaining the procedure, as well as engaging who's watching, as well as making it simplistic, well done

Good job on this and all your videos. When I read my Yamaha Outboard's Service manual, then with work I can sometimes figure out what I am supposed to do, but your videos give me much more depth about how I do it and more importantly your videos tell me why I am supposed to do it. You are doing a great job of sharing information. Thank you!

Outstanding presentation. I'm sure you have helped many a backyard mechanic to understand how EXACTLY to set timing on a Tohatsu. I have a Tohatsu M60B and will apply this lesson today. Thank you.

I had some problems with my Yamaha 55 and I watched all your videos and must tell you that I have learned a lot.... Thanks for all your help. Now I need to find manuals for my outboard.

Thanks, that was really helpful! I think this is possibly one of the most useful outboard videos on youtube.

Glad there was no commercials - it allowed for better concentration.

Thank you for showing and explaining the timing marks on these engines. I have a factory manual for a NS70A2 and it shows the linkage adjustment and the ignition timing but doesn't even mention where the timing marks are let alone what the marks mean. You saved me a bunch of time.

I'm sure I've saved thousands watching your vids.. Bloody awesome.. Caloundra 👍

Love all your videos. So much information

I needed this one last year ;) Great video as always. I look forward to them each week.

Good stuff. Explaining the theory is very informative. And walking through the adjustment is extremely helpful.

New to boats and stumbled across your vids. I subscribed straight away due to how thoroughly you explain the situations. Your camera angles are mint as well. It's a finely polished presentation. Tip top. Going over the donk using your vids to give me confidence out on the water. Thanks heaps.

Clear and concise. Excellent video.

Terrific tutorial Stu. Rather embarrassed to say I had no idea exactly why timing advanced or when. I just new it did. Thanks for clearing that up! Also, your reference to the speed of combustion and the flame front moving down the cylinder reminded me of the many misconceptions about fuel octane out there and its effect on combustion. Another vid idea for ya!

Thanks for your articulate & intelligent presentation on timing an outboard. My engine is a 1967 Merc 500. Timing-belt's-metal-container-cap-"cap-screw" dislodged during a voyage. The belt came off the distributor shaft pulley. Ergo, my timing must be re acquired.

Enjoyed. Easy outs become hard outs when broken. One method of removal is to build up the broken bolt with TIG until there is enough material to put a nut on then weld the nut to the build up.

That was a sensational video Stu. Thank-you so much. I have a reasonable understanding of outboards, though was never game enough to look too deeply into adjusting the timing. I now get it. Would you believe I have a Tohatsu 90, so I am off to the shed now to check it out! You are a knowledgeable man, and I appreciate you sharing your wealth of knowledge. You not only know stuff, you also know how to teach. Well done, and thank-you again for your Channel.

Excellent teacher you are. I have a 2 stroke Yamaha 25 hp with 2 carbs 2008. I bought it new. At idle speed I couldn't get the pop out of it. After watching you on utube I adjusted the carbs in sync, and replaced lower unit leaking seals. Also with your instructions I got the pull rope working on a 9.8 Merc., and if I would have used your water pump drill test I wouldn't have changed the water pump. It was fine. The engine has a warped aluminum plate ,and 2 bad gaskets on the power head which turns the water to steam. I cleared the copper tube, and the rubber lines to the pisser. Parts are on order. Hope to have the motor running next week. Low,low hours on this motor which is worth fixing.

Thank you for taking the time to explain this! God bless

Thanks for this vid ive done all things with outboards rebuilt several but timing has been a rare issue for me that being said this vid helped me along with my engines service manual get my yammy on point dam water tube turned to shit so had to pull ph and cleaned up the linkages a bit since I was already taking them off

It’s great to see that there is 18 people who don’t understand nail clippings Christ how easy is the example have to be as always great video stu happy new year to you and your family

Great detailed explanation and video of outboard timing, I could not have completed setting the timing successfully on my Merc 150 without your help. One note, not timing related: While you cannot drill out an easy-out (or broken drill bit) for the times when you cannot get to the back of the stud, you can grind the easy-out away with ease using a 1/8 th inch Dremel grindstone.

Perfect video for my needs. thank you !

Thanks so much for sharing.. Great content and made me realise how this all works :)

Thank you for all your videos Dangar. You are my therapist, your videos have a very therapeutic effect on me. LOL :P And im learning a fair bit about my new hobby wich is boating. :D

Great vid Stu. Looking forward to the timing light method.

Very interesting and helpful. Thanks mate.

Absolutely love your videos! Thank you 🙏

Another great video Stu!

Excellent Video! Very Helpful! Great Job Teacher!

Cracking video mate thanks alot👍

Thank You Professor Stu Teach Me I will Learn

Thanks for the great video

Awesome video.

thank you! learned a lot from your video.

Great job.

To add to the broken bolt talk, I ran into a few in my days of working on auto repair jobs and I found that if I mixed half transmission fluid and half acetone it would free up any rusted or corroded bolt or nut, give it a try, you can see it creep up the treads.

I will be waiting for your presentation of the Reeves method. love your videos, your explanations are impeccable. I just got a 77 75hp evinrude and believe I got a timing issue, scared to run it and mess with it until I do a link n sync with it and at least check the timing is close. again thanks for all your videos and will be awaiting the Reeves method.

Excellent Video.

Great video thanks for the tip

Great instruction!

Well explained Stu as always..those rubber caps on the stoppers is something I haven't seen. (sips on Peroni )

fantastic vid

What the great explanation of timing adjustment. I assume that on simpler older engines with mechanical linkages the advance is kind of fixed by the shape of the the curved ignition plate and the roller riding between marks for the limits of advance and connected to the throttle arm for rpms adjustment. Since the connecting rods are often bent heavy wires this by itself easy the adjustment of the rest of the low and high rpms

Another great tutorial

Thanks Stu. This looks like a good explanation and demonstration for just about all mechanical types. Hope I said that right. Minus the computer controlled engines....Remember I was asking you to do one on a 115 HP, 2 stroke Mercury four cylinder, Well looks like you've already done it. Looks closely similar to a mercury. Thanks for all your work. Very professional...

I've been having trouble with my old 115HP yammie. I just checked the timing linkage after watching your video and it's completely disconnected! One of the plastic boots is broken. That could explain the problems. Going to fix it just now and see what happens. Thanks for the great video.

Dangar você é muito inteligente nota 10, adoro ver seus videos. sobre mecânica de motores de popa.

great info Stu,thanks mate

you are the best!

Well done thanks

I appreciate your time explaining this. Not many out there do! Always love your stuff and what you bring..

All of your videos are excellent. I have a 1988 70 hp mercury and have done a lot of my own work. Too bad you aren't in the Land of Pleasant Living (Maryland Chesapeake Bay)

Great lesson. You have the Green Machine, my project is the Invader. 1985 75 hp Mercury 2 stroke, so far I’ve gone through the carbs and fuel pump, timing is next. It would be timely if you did a video on the timing of Mercuries. Best regards from Lynden, Washington. U.S.A.

OMG i love this guy

Hi Stu You know that the only difference between this and the 140 hp is the throttle cam on the top carb and changing the stoppers. Can be changed in 5 min, with a plier and a wrench. Thanks for vid

Up until this video, timing and advance was a mysterious sort of voodoo to me. This was so well explained that I now have just enough understanding to be dangerous. Many thanks.

Broken screw removal specialist here........Used to be a fitter/machinist attached to a mob of sparkies who were awesome at breaking screws off in housings then breaking drills or ezy-outs inside them....

All thanx for you .. very good explenation .. pls I need to know how to adjust timing link for Yamaha 75 hp 2st ...best wishes all day for you .

Nice I would like to see the same video for setting my mercury 650 3cyl thunderbolt year 1976

Thank you for all your help , could you make a video or give all settings on a DT85 SUZUKI OIL INJECTION 1985 MODEL , LINKAGE SIZES AND TIMING SETTING

you should be a teacher, great video - thank you!

lol the world of hurt part, felt that 100 percent.. 2 bolts on the head of my force 50hp 1998. I had to cut the head off and then collapse the rest of the bolt in.

Thanks!

Really brilliant video thank you. It was five years ago so no idea if I will get a reply but I was going ask a question. My Yamaha 90A manual talks about going on to check the timing while running with a light - fine - but it talks about using a test prop presumably so that the motor is under a known load - is that really needed?

Cannot wait to see the Joe Reeve's timing video you talk about, wish it was available now.

Wow first time I’ve heard this explained “in English” lol

An observation: the timing linkage socket was above the ball instead of on it, maybe this was part of the problem, IE causing binding. Also, I worked on an old 1977 140HP Evinrude V4 where the tubing over the timing stator wires had hardened and cracked. This was preventing proper movement of the stator and was flexing the wires all in one spot stressing and breaking them. Some new wire soldered in and new heat shrink tubing fixed it right up.

Please Let me know when you do the Timeing on Johnson not on the water . Because i have a 1981 25hp . Thank you your shows help alot . Thanks agine

Really enjoy your videos. You've certainly got a way to explain these types of things in a simple and concise manner. I'm currently working on my 1999 Nissan 70. What's the correct measurement for the high speed throttle stopper on a NS70C? Cheers!

Thanks Stu, you are making my job way easier on my Tohatsu 90. Still, I have idle issues, it is irregular and then stops! I am going into cleaning the recirculation and check valves, what do you think? Worthwhile?

Hey stu, thinking you could do a video on broken fasteners one day- all the options...Had a 15hp Yamaha with 2 snapped Thermo bolts recently. Nightmare.. took 3 hours. Cheers!

Mate great video as always. Where did you get the spec's from? I've got a mercury 25 seapro and would like to give it the once over while in lockdown.

I have a 1986 Johnson 50hp. I was wondering if you knew what the WOT degree setting should be as well as idle timing degree setting. Idles pretty good, WOT seems a tad off. I just dont want to burn a piston if its too far advanced.

Great videos! Found this one when searching for timing settings and it made me spend my evening watching the entire Yamaha 20hp "serie" :) Anyhow, adjusting timing looks easy enough.. when you have the settings in front of you :) How do one find the rod-length settings for all the old engines out there? I friend gave me an old 28hp Yamaha from late 70s with all the plastic clips for the rods broken. Anyone sitting on info on where I could find that? Or is it common knowledge at any dealership?

Great video, Stu. Listen, I’ve got a 25hp 2-stroke 3cyl Evinrude that has me pulling my hair out. Idles great in neutral and in gear but if I give ‘er I get about 10% more power and then it just holds and flutters (but doesn’t stall). If I go back down to idle all is well again. I’m going to re-do idle timing adjustment as this is what Evinrude wants me to do next. Would resetting idle timing in itself help me at higher RPM’s you think?

So can you get a bit more power out of a older 2 stroke by advancing the timing? Like try moving the stopper while on the water and wot it and then adjust and see of you get more top end?

FABULOUS video! Question; I have a NS90A, have cleaned the carbs and idle is fine but it will not open up all the way. It gets to a point that it wants to open up then slows and speeds just between 2800 and 3000. I am new at this and really want to get it set to run with carbs open. Can you help with any information?

Love your work! The Best on YT! I have a 1980 75 Evinrude that bogs down when in gear under load. If I don’t shift into forward and 1000+ rpm it dies. Any advice? Thanks, Mo

How do you set timing on 1972 Johnson 50 Electric shift

Excellent explanation Stu, looking forward to seeing how it's done on the other makes. Couldn't spot a Coopers in this one, what's the deal?

Thanks for for the lesson , is it possible for you to show how set up for a 1983 140 v4 as I think the setting would be different to this video , thanks so much ... Rufus

Good vid again. Thanks i have a marina 40 2 stroke two spark plugs. Wont start i replaced engine but it back fire only wont start, help please

Great vid could really do with some help. I have a Johnson 90hp v4 1990s model. I need to check the timing and check the measurements to make shore that they are right but I can’t seem to find out what the factory measurement are for this engine

Great vid, thanks! I have an outboard I inherited, a South African Yamaha 25 A. My dad used to have auto coils on it, with a battery and no stators, just the points and the condensers. I restored it a bit, and wanted to make it non reliant on a battery. I got new points, condensers and stator coils, as well as secondary coils. From what I understand, I've rewired it correctly, because I get a on both plugs when I crank it with the pull string. I've tried to start it a few times now, but to no avail. Fuel is good, I get spark, but it's like the spark is at the wrong time. A couple of times when I pulled it, it was like the engine almost started, but it "hit back" because it jerked on the the pull string. I don't know if this was due to the timing being completely out, or if it relates to the plug wires going to the wrong cylinders. I could probably check this by turning the engine manually, and looking when a piston is top dead center and having a look at which plug fires at the point. Anybody got ideas? I am at my wits end, and would love to get this thing running!

Hi Stu!😊 I've been watching your outboard videos for a month and two now, very educational vidz! And i'm a big fan now!😊 Always loved boats, sea and now im learning stuff as vell when sitting up here in Norway watching these vidz of youre's🤗 As i've seen this video on you setting up ignition timing on 115hp Tohatsu, i was thinking that i possible could get life to my old Tohatsu from the 80's.. And it actually came to starting and running a bit😎 But not running as it should. I have a little problem setting it up on the timing. As i cant find the reference mark for the ignition. Degrees are marked on ignition coil and a triangle mark shows TDC on ignition coil.. But cant find the reference mark on block to tell me where im at? So thats the issue, is there a way to find where TDC is at when i dont have a reference mark to be set at? You have a video about that? This is an old Tohatsu M70A2. Found service manual on net, says 4°ATDC at low trottle 950rpm and 22,5°BTDC 5.500rpm. "Service manual says 'degree of ignition timing on the coil plate is to be met at the parting line of the cylinder block and the crank case cover for adjustment of ignition timing" But i cant find the line..? Anyway love youre vidz! Thanks Morten.