Fuel control did not work from day one. Carburetor has EPA plug that has a jet under it that clogs up and cannot be fixed. Coil went bad $142.00. Engine seized up after 20 hours of use. Junk

I've had my Tohatsu 3.5hp from new and it's been brilliant. The only thing I will say is don't leave any fuel in the carburetor for months on end. Even if you run it dry there is still a tiny bit of fuel left in the float bowl,which will turn into little green crystaline particles and block the jets. Taking the carb off is pretty easy job but you don't want to be doing that after every lay up. Just take the cover off and just loosen the screw on the float bowl and drain the rest of the fuel out. I fitted a flushing connection to mine and use a fresh water hose to flush it out every trip. I spray it with WD40 under the cover which keeps the corrosion at bay and change the engine and gearoil oil every year, which is a doddle of a job. This little motor has taken me and my partner in a 2.30m inflatable from Salcombe to Kingsbridge and back lots of times without any problems and from Plymouth to Cawsands on just a litre of fuel.

I purchased a new 2017 Tohatsu 3.5 four-stroke three weeks ago and have tremendous difficulty in getting it started. I have followed the instructions by the dealer for starting as well as those of the handbook. I previously had a 2003 Tohatsu 3.5 two-stroke and seldom had problems starting it. I know that the pull technique is different with the four-stroke and have followed it carefully. The one pattern that occasionally works is if I give it full throttle. It is as if the engine is not getting enough gas with the prescribed choking and pulling. I am taking it back to the dealer on Friday but am posting this to see if anyone out there has encountered similar problems. I would like to know before talking to the dealer. Thanks.

After great service from TOHATSU 9.8 2-stroke I decided to downsize to a TOHATSU 3.5 4-stroke. WHAT A MISTAKE! Hard to start, runs erratically, stalls . Everything you DON’T want in an outboard when you’re out on a reef. Within 6 weeks it was back with the dealer who reported “There’s nothing wrong with it”. Sure, it ran fine at low revs for a minute in the test tank but it still plays up constantly in the real world. If there is “nothing wrong with it” then truly I have bought a LEMON!

Great little boat engine, only 3kg heavier than the 2 stroke equivalent without the hassle of 2 strokes!

Great little outboard, had it from new about 18 months ago, no problems at all with mine.

I bought that Nissan 3.5hp four stroke [ same like tohatsu/mariner 3.5hp ] in May 2006 , after 4 weekends [ about 20 hours of use ] part of the engine cowl/cover broke off,I was waiting 4 weeks for the new part. After 40 hours of use [ about 8 weekends ] upper part of engine cover broke off and at the same time I noticed that the engine oil was leaking [cracked engine block !!!] After 2 months of negotiation with Nissan-Tohatsu dealer and many phone calls to Nissan/Mariner/Tohatsu Marine head office in Texas, they [dealer] replaced that engine block and engine cowl/cover, I sold that piece of @%[email protected]*& immediately after that. DO NOT buy this motor !!!!