Must my 5hp outboard be serviced?

[Boracay]

I just took my two month old 5hp Tohatsu to the dealer for it's initial service.
Only $50 and they should have torqued all the bolts, checked gear oil, plug, compression, wiring, carburetor, timing and a whole heap of other things.
I was told that it was necessary even though it had 2 hours tops on it.

My question is : Is this service really necessary? This is not an expensive motor.

Mostly when I buy something these days I use it until it is stolen, superseded
or (very rarely) breaks.

Can I do the service myself?

[Ex-Calif]

Unless it voids the warranty I would do it myself.

And if the warranty has something about needing to be done by a Tohatsu dealer then (in the US) it would be anti-competitive and likely unenforceable.

I also guarantee I'd do it better than the 17 y/o working at the Tohatsu dealer.

So... I'd do it myself.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Boracay

... they should have torqued all the bolts, checked gear oil, plug, compression, wiring, carburetor, timing and a whole heap of other things...
...Can I do the service myself?

Of course you can DIY, if you know the proper bolt torques, compression specifications, and a whole heap of other things.

Defender (& others) sell Shop Manuals:
Goto:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|215570|530904|292251&id=314577

[ssullivan]

I asked the same question of my local Honda dealer. I know it isn't Tohatsu, but the Honda dealer's answer was that you could perform any service (up to taking apart the power head) without voiding your warranty.

I asked about things like:

*Adjusting idle
*Adjusting carb settings
*Changing gear oil
*Routine maintenance

All were OK with Honda, anyway.

[s/v 'Faith']

Where are you hearing about this 'required' service? I have a Tohatsu 6hp, which is the same motor with a different carb. I read the manual, and all I came up with was that I was to follow the break in period, and change the oil at 10 hours....

Is this just something your dealer made up?