Elderly Honda 2hp 4 stroke starting problem....

[NealB]

this is a water-cooled engine.

Yesterday was a typical example.

I took the engine (which hadn't been used for about 4 weeks) out of the club store, put it on the dinghy transom, opened the fuel tap, gave it a bit of choke, and it started easily (third pull) and ran fine on the half-mile trip to my mooring.

It started instantly, first pull, when it was time to come ashore.

Luvvly, jubbly!

Back at the clubhouse, I put the shaft in the freshwater tank to flush through and run the carb dry.

Bloody thing now wouldn't start, no matter how much I swore (helps bonding in the office, apparently, but seems to have little effect on outboards).

Should I have tried the Fawlty technique of hitting it with a branch, or would a cat o' nine tails be more appropriate?

Or is there something more in the way of physics and engineering that I could use to fix this recurring problem?

Thanks.

 

[pampas]

Check that the needle valve has not stuck shut is one possibility?

 

[narooma]

Probably totally irrelevant but when I had a similar problem I was told that it would be resolved by keeping the fuel tank as full as possible. Worked for me but engine newer and 2 stroke.

 

[michael_w]

Too deep in the fresh water tank? Some outboards can't cope if the exhaust back pressure is too much.

 

[tillergirl]

I know this example is a bit odd but it might be worth thinking about. My Honda lawnmower got very erratic at starting and running despite being not that old. In the end it was the spark plug failing. Replaced that and its perfect.

 

[NealB]

Many thanks for replies so far....

Lots of sensible suggestions..... but Michael's could certainly explain why it seems to start ok on the transom, but not in the tank.

Any more ideas most gratefully received.

 

[Richard10002]

Re: Many thanks for replies so far....

Have you tried starting it on the transom since it failed in the tank?

If it starts on the transom, it's a tank problem, and not an engine problem.

 

[dickh]

Try a new plug. Or dismantle the exhaust system - on mine the gasket had gone and I had to rebuild the Ali casting with epoxy. Worked fine since then, about 3 years ago.
Mind you it still occasionally won't start on the transom but starts instantly in the tank at home!
I've found the best method is to stand the outboard upright after taken from the car with the fuel tap and vent open. Collect dinghy, fit outboard on transom, push off and it usually starts on 2nd or 3rd pull.

 

[Robin]

What happened twixt boat and clubhouse? If you didn't keep it right way up perhaps the the lube oil could have got into the cylinder and oiled the plug up. I'm sure you know, but there is a right way to lay this engine down so this doesn't happen. If so I guess a new plug would be the best cure and turn the engine over a few times on the starter cord (upright) with the plug out first.

 

[mortehoe]

Find the cause .... (BF2 1999)

Start at th fuel tank end: is the in-line filter between the fuel tank and the on/off lever blocked? Take out the pipe and pull the filter out - It's not mentioned in the workshop manual. I remove mine annually and blow out the debris.

Strip out the carb: with difficulty. You may find that you have an electrolysis problem with either the main jet or the airbleed jet. Strip it all down and remove ALL the contamination - there will be plenty as Honda + Marine don't seem to go together ie incompatible metals in a saltwater enviroment = a heap of dissolving metals.

If you haven't replaced your spark plug then go to a Honda agent to confirm that your spark plug is correct for temperature: early Honda BF2s were supplied with a plug that was too cold and they all sooted up.

Lastly, marinise your engine. I stripped mine down in 2000 after 1 year and 2 days when the dissolved carb fell off .... OUCH! Out of warranty!!! equalled £78 +VAT for a new carb. Marinzation (external surfaces) = Hammarite Special Metals Primer followed by 2 coats of std Hammerite. High temperature paint (Halfords) for the bits that get hot. Etc.

My original 1999 BF2 works fine - All that you need to do is strip it down and marinize it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif .... and that's what Honda should have done on day one!!!!!

 

[davidbains]

Re: Find the cause .... (BF2 1999)

Very informative Morthoe, a bit more on your profile would be nice!
I found it quite difficult to clean my Honda's carb. There's a kink in the fuel line and I haven't found a way of clearing it effectively yet. It certainly helps if the tank is fairly full, and the plugs are not always easy to find so carry several.
In my experience all outboards are temperamental. I carried a Seagull for years in the interests of simplicity but was defeated in my search for longevity.