Lehr Outboards
- Thread starter Bob Cofer
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Capthead
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I run 2 strokes as well. If you look for synthetic outboard oil you'll find it biodegradable and it burns clean too. Pull your plugs after a summer and look at them, provided you're using synthetic. They will look clean as new.
Dougcole
Guru
The only negative I have seen on Lehr outboards was from a guy we met on our Bahamas trip last year, he bought a 5 hp (?) right before the trip, it ran fine for a bit then wouldn't start. No one over there would even touch it, according to him. Said it ruined his trip as he had no dinghy motor, he was pretty ticked off.
That said, I've dealt with Hopkins Carter both as a customer and as a vendor, I trust everything Parks says, he is a top notch retailer.
The same thing could have happened to a new gas motor, but he could have gotten someone over there (or anywhere in the world really) to work on it. Also, he should have run it a bit more before heading out.
Parts overseas could be a real issue as well.
That said, I've dealt with Hopkins Carter both as a customer and as a vendor, I trust everything Parks says, he is a top notch retailer.
The same thing could have happened to a new gas motor, but he could have gotten someone over there (or anywhere in the world really) to work on it. Also, he should have run it a bit more before heading out.
Parts overseas could be a real issue as well.
Scratchnsaw
Senior Member
The Royal Purple oil has created huge problems in the mid range outboards after being sold as the perfect alternative.
windmist
Guru
Here is a website to locate ethanol free gas in your area. I always buy ethanol free gas for my small engines but it is easy to find in my area.
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada
HopCar
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Bob, I'm glad you got one. I think you'll enjoy it. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me.
healhustler
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I heard another story about a new 5HP unit that wouldn't start from Hopcar himself. Seems that new engines need "burped".
HopCar
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Thanks Doug, that was nice of you to say.
I'd bet money that the fellow who had trouble starting his Lehr had air in the line. For some reason they don't have the procedure to bleed the lines in the owners manual. If you get air in the line when installing the bottle or worse yet the long hose, you can pull your arm off before it will start. It takes less than a minute to bleed the air if you have the right tool, (paper clip) and know the trick.
A good dealer will test run the engine, show you how to bleed the air and adjust the idle before he turns it over to you. On my own engine, if it doesn't crank by the third pull I bleed the lines. Then it starts on the second good pull.
There is a phone number on the tiller that you can call if you ever have a problem. They can usually suggest a fix over the phone.
I'd bet money that the fellow who had trouble starting his Lehr had air in the line. For some reason they don't have the procedure to bleed the lines in the owners manual. If you get air in the line when installing the bottle or worse yet the long hose, you can pull your arm off before it will start. It takes less than a minute to bleed the air if you have the right tool, (paper clip) and know the trick.
A good dealer will test run the engine, show you how to bleed the air and adjust the idle before he turns it over to you. On my own engine, if it doesn't crank by the third pull I bleed the lines. Then it starts on the second good pull.
There is a phone number on the tiller that you can call if you ever have a problem. They can usually suggest a fix over the phone.
HopCar
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Hi Larry, I wouldn't be surprised that the instructions are in the manuals now. I know they heard from me about it and I'm sure every other dealer. At the boat show they told me that they were making a little plastic tool to bleed the lines with that will be included with the engines in the future. A paperclip works fine. I have a little piece of stainless safety wire I keep under the hood if I ever need to bleed mine.
HopCar
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Tom, The vaporizers that Eric was referring to are much larger than the ones on Lehr outboards. Propane has an odorant added that really stinks so you know if there is a leak. You almost never smell propane when dealing with a Lehr in normal use.
I'm guessing that when your engine slowed down the little bottle was about half full. Until the bottle is down by half it supplies liquid propane to the engine which is converted to vapor in the vaporizer. When the bottle gets down to half full it starts supplying vapor directly to the engine. Usually you won't notice any difference. If the can gets really cold, the liquid propane in the tank can't boil fast enough to supply enough vapor to run the engine at full speed.
I'm guessing that when your engine slowed down the little bottle was about half full. Until the bottle is down by half it supplies liquid propane to the engine which is converted to vapor in the vaporizer. When the bottle gets down to half full it starts supplying vapor directly to the engine. Usually you won't notice any difference. If the can gets really cold, the liquid propane in the tank can't boil fast enough to supply enough vapor to run the engine at full speed.
MurrayM
Guru
Here's the spot to bleed the air from the line to the tank. Just push something like a straightened paper clip through the small hole for a couple seconds. Thanks to HopCar I knew you have to get the propane to 'push' the air out of the line, and it fired up right away 
Our 9.9 is an emergency kicker and hasn't been used for its intended purpose...
Our 9.9 is an emergency kicker and hasn't been used for its intended purpose...
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healhustler
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Yes, the right tool, and I want to offer this custom high grade stainless bleeding tool as a one time special to TF members. Send $$$ and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the service address today. But wait! If you order right now, I'll include another bleeding tool absolutely free. You only pay shipping and handling! And as an extra bonus, I'll include a custom SS work-paper retainer (perfect for cleaning and organizing those paper nightmares at the office and home). Offer limited. Order now.
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HopCar
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Hi Murray, I used your nice photo over on the Cruisers Forum to explain the same thing just today.
The little screw above the plate in Murray's photo is the idle speed adjustment.
The little screw above the plate in Murray's photo is the idle speed adjustment.
HopCar
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You're a dangerous man Larry.
ranger58sb
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There is also US Carburetion ... Or similar... That converts Yamaha generators to propane/gas too... Google...
-Chris
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Last edited:
Nomad Willy
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tpbrady,
I used that same tool to set my clock on cars. Better buy from Larry though as he's one of us.
I used that same tool to set my clock on cars. Better buy from Larry though as he's one of us.
HopCar
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I tested two 5.0 Lehr motors today. One started on the first pull the other took two pulls. Both were dead cold right out of the box. I did use one of Larry's magic tools to bleed the air first.
