Mercury does use Tohatsu engines on their smaller 4 strokes. The engine is
Tohatsu but everything else is Merc (lower unit, electronics, etc..).

As for starting - I assume you are pumping the primer to get fuel into the
engine, adjusting the choke properly and then cranking. Any carb engine
will usually require a little throttle over idle to crank when cold. Did
you not do that on any of your older engines. Should be the same process.

As for the idle when cold - again, adjust the choke. It is a manual choke.

As for the vibration - I have never known a 2 cylinder engine to idle
smooth. Nature of the beast.

The lag should not be there as you increase throttle. May be a service
bullitin out that describes a rejet of the carb to solve this problem. As
about a possible rejet to solve it and any service bullitins on this engine.

You should NEVER increase rpms/throttle when engaging in gear. That will
tear up the lower unit clutch/gears. If you can't put in gear when at idle
w/ the choke set right then there is another problem. Either it is idled
too low or something. Idle is set in gear in the water on your boat at 600
to 800 rpms.
--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com



"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
news
Excuse me while a vent a bit here...

Last June, I bought a brand-new 2005-model Merc 4-stroke 9.9. This is the
"ultralight" model: around 80lb. Turns out it's a rebadged Tohashu,
apparently.

This was the first brand-new outboard I've ever owned. Until now, I've
been running 20-30 yr old clunker 2-strokes.

First, it doesn't start as easily as I would expect. After going through
the rather complex Starting Procedure (including pushing the button on the
side and bringing the throttle above idle in neutral: recommended by the
Dealer but NOT IN THE MANUAL), it will start after 3-4 pulls. I've had
30-yr-old clunkers that start better than that!

Second, it doesn't idle at all when cold, and once warm, it vibrates so
much in gear that I cannot use it for trolling. Again, my 30-yr-old
Johnson Seahorse idled way smoother.

Third, there's a big "lag" as I go up the throttle. It ALMOST stalls, and
it's very disconcerting. I know the problem - it's right where it's
changing from the idle cct to the power cct in the carb.

Finally, I just got a notice for a recall concerning the reverse hooks and
the throttle/shift function.

I've had the motor into the Dealer three times to try to correct the first
three problems: Their solution was: 1. Showing me how to start it
(including the "throttle=up" not described in the manual), 2. increasing
the idle speed until going into gear gives a loud THUMP, and 3. telling me
"that's normal for that engine".

I'm taking it to another Dealer next week to deal with the recall - I
prefer to have the Dealer I bought it from deal with any warranty issues,
but those guys are CRAP!

Other than that, I DO like the engine. It's quiet, NO SMOKE, lots of
power, and basically the same weight as a 2-stroke. I'm slowly getting
confidence in it's reliability, but that lag keeps scaring me...

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12