Honda 2.3 advice

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Milgrip

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Hi, I'm new to this forum and find it fascinating reading. I'm considering purchasing a Honda 2.3hp. What is putting me off is the thought of the automatic clutch.
Am I right in assuming that you have a choice of the engine either idling or taking off at a very fast speed once engine revs reach 2,700?
Doesn't this make control of your boat a little unpredictable?
 
No, it’s a doddle. Best outboard I’ve ever used. Drive take up is smooth and pulling away is effortless. You’ll wish you’d bought one years ago and avoided all the two stroke misery. Best small outboard ever.
 
I think the clutch (and the air cooling) are very neat features of the Honda 2.3, compared to our Suzuki, which has a stupid manual gear lever that either stalls the engine or you have to rev it so high it goes in with a frightening clunk. Most of the time I simply start it in gear to avoid the stupid thing. Would rather have the Honda (although never owned one and the Suzuki came with the boat).
 
It’s not a bad little engine if you ignore the rusting bolts etc... Bloody noisy, but the clutch is ok. I think small 4 stroke outboards are a stupid idea, but legislation has forced them upon us. The bigger Hondas are of much higher quality. My old Mariner 2hp was streets ahead in usability and lightness. I would buy an electric one next , but the prices are still too high.
 
Yngmar said:
I think the clutch (and the air cooling) are very neat features of the Honda 2.3, compared to our Suzuki, which has a stupid manual gear lever that either stalls the engine or you have to rev it so high it goes in with a frightening clunk. Most of the time I simply start it in gear to avoid the stupid thing. Would rather have the Honda (although never owned one and the Suzuki came with the boat).
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I also have the Suzy. When I put it in gear, I look out for gear teeth coming out the exhaust!�� I have altered the carb to burn richer and jettison unused fuel before storage which rather defeats Suzuki’s environmental concerns. The Honda is marginally more user friendly. Have tried a Torqeedo electric outboard, and it is miles better!
 
mbroom said:
I also have the Suzy. When I put it in gear, I look out for gear teeth coming out the exhaust!�� I have altered the carb to burn richer and jettison unused fuel before storage which rather defeats Suzuki’s environmental concerns. The Honda is marginally more user friendly. Have tried a Torqeedo electric outboard, and it is miles better!
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Oh dear, I am just restoring A Suz 3.5 2T..:) I have a Yam 3.5 2T air cooled that is(was) ace, but might have a failed ig coil
Used a Torqueedo, but not too impressed. It was an older one (8yrs ago?) and range was lacking, along with rusty sheer pins and fragile prop.
 
Milgrip said:
Hi, I'm new to this forum and find it fascinating reading. I'm considering purchasing a Honda 2.3hp. What is putting me off is the thought of the automatic clutch.
Am I right in assuming that you have a choice of the engine either idling or taking off at a very fast speed once engine revs reach 2,700?
Doesn't this make control of your boat a little unpredictable?
Click to expand...

I have a Honda 2.3 and its a fine engine in my opinion and so much lighter than my last 4 stroke outboard. Used regularly to drive the tender to my boats moorings for the last two years or so. Never failed. Always easy to start and uses minimal fuel, but it is quite a noisy little engine! However it is air cooled so you do not need to worry about sea water corrosion of the engine water cooling passages etc.
The auto clutch is no issue at all and takes up the drive when you crack the throttle open a tad and is very easy to control speed etc
Reference the "rusty bolts" mentioned in this thread, my ones are looking fine but I do rinse the outside of the engine and the bolts with fresh water after most trips. You can replace them if necessary with a kit of new bolts for a couple of pounds.
 
You could describe the Honda 2 like the feelings toward for or against the EU .

Opinions are strong both for both in and out.

The engine was untypical at the launch. Clutch ,4 stroke, air cooling ? on such a small engine what were they on about.

Definitely a classic in the annals of tender transport. You know you want one . Shame that the guy in the purchasing dept ordered some of the parts from the wrong suppliers. Hopefully, this only applies to the early ones which I have.
 
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A replacement S/S bolt kit for the Honda 2.3 is available for a reasonable price from steve66 of this parish. One snag with the 2.3 until you get used to it is that the revs have to be kept fairly high when starting from cold, usually with choke, to keep it running and that means the clutch kicks in and the prop turns. Just keep the tender tied up until the engine warms up and will keep running at idle.
 
DownWest said:
Oh dear, I am just restoring A Suz 3.5 2T..:) I have a Yam 3.5 2T air cooled that is(was) ace, but might have a failed ig coil
Used a Torqueedo, but not too impressed. It was an older one (8yrs ago?) and range was lacking, along with rusty sheer pins and fragile prop.
Click to expand...
The 2 strokes are a different kettle of fish entirely, quite different and in my view much superior machines. Restore and enjoy!
 
PeterBoater said:
A replacement S/S bolt kit for the Honda 2.3 is available for a reasonable price from steve66 of this parish. One snag with the 2.3 until you get used to it is that the revs have to be kept fairly high when starting from cold, usually with choke, to keep it running and that means the clutch kicks in and the prop turns. Just keep the tender tied up until the engine warms up and will keep running at idle.
Click to expand...

Many thanks... but why should I have to modify an expensive product that is supposedly designed for marine use? I have just paid a small fortune to rebuild a TillerPilot that leaked water onto the motor and electronics after just a year of use. Does the concept of salt water not reach some fairly major companies?
 
catweazle said:
I have a Honda 2.3 and its a fine engine in my opinion and so much lighter than my last 4 stroke outboard. Used regularly to drive the tender to my boats moorings for the last two years or so. Never failed. Always easy to start and uses minimal fuel, but it is quite a noisy little engine! However it is air cooled so you do not need to worry about sea water corrosion of the engine water cooling passages etc.
The auto clutch is no issue at all and takes up the drive when you crack the throttle open a tad and is very easy to control speed etc
Reference the "rusty bolts" mentioned in this thread, my ones are looking fine but I do rinse the outside of the engine and the bolts with fresh water after most trips. You can replace them if necessary with a kit of new bolts for a couple of pounds.
Click to expand...
Ten pounds (but still well worth doing)
 
I've had mine for 5 years, and can't fault it. None of the bolts show any sign of corrosion, and the only preventative measure that I take is to spray the internals with WD40 at the end of each season. The only advice about them that I have is to turn the fuel off, and allow the carb to empty to shut the engine down.
 
jamie N said:
I've had mine for 5 years, and can't fault it. None of the bolts show any sign of corrosion, and the only preventative measure that I take is to spray the internals with WD40 at the end of each season. The only advice about them that I have is to turn the fuel off, and allow the carb to empty to shut the engine down.
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I am about 5 years into my second 2.3. The rusty bolts and carburettor bowl annoyed me too as a formerly loyal Honda motorcyclist. At first I avowed to buy otherwise, but all the alternatives are lot heavier, so I replaced it with the devil I know. As long as the carb is clean they are good engines, but spoilt by mild steel parts.

The most troublesome bits are:
---those closest to the sea (hex head M6 x 100 iirc) that hold the power head and the leg together. They are set deep into a recess so only a socket will move them, and only then if the head is still intact. If after 5 plus years of corrosion they cannot be undone, the engine is a write off as no useful repairs can be undertaken. So if you can undo them, I advise replacement, or at least squirt your WD40 at these as well.
--- two much smaller bolts that clamp the exhaust manifold to the head.
--- the carburettor bowl rusts from the inside and its drain screw seizes early in its life. Steve66 has replacements for either the bowl or the whole carb.
 
chewi said:
I am about 5 years into my second 2.3. The rusty bolts and carburettor bowl annoyed me too as a formerly loyal Honda motorcyclist. At first I avowed to buy otherwise, but all the alternatives are lot heavier, so I replaced it with the devil I know. As long as the carb is clean they are good engines, but spoilt by mild steel parts.

The most troublesome bits are:
---those closest to the sea (hex head M6 x 100 iirc) that hold the power head and the leg together. They are set deep into a recess so only a socket will move them, and only then if the head is still intact. If after 5 plus years of corrosion they cannot be undone, the engine is a write off as no useful repairs can be undertaken. So if you can undo them, I advise replacement, or at least squirt your WD40 at these as well.
--- two much smaller bolts that clamp the exhaust manifold to the head.
--- the carburettor bowl rusts from the inside and its drain screw seizes early in its life. Steve66 has replacements for either the bowl or the whole carb.
Click to expand...

In truth, I do give the whole engine a rub down with a oily/WD40 cloth at the same time, and it still appears good, but many thanks for the tip. :encouragement:
 
I quite liked mine, serviced it last year, always starts first pull. If anyone wants it, it is available for free! Buyer to collect ... somewhere between buoy C6 and Mussel Bank in the menai straits ...
 
rszemeti said:
I quite liked mine, serviced it last year, always starts first pull. If anyone wants it, it is available for free! Buyer to collect ... somewhere between buoy C6 and Mussel Bank in the menai straits ...
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Very generous offer.

By the way, if anyone finds a Harken red floating winch somewhere in the North Sea
it's mine. Lost this week but a fantastic reward awaits the finder.
 
PeterBoater said:
A replacement S/S bolt kit for the Honda 2.3 is available for a reasonable price from steve66 of this parish. One snag with the 2.3 until you get used to it is that the revs have to be kept fairly high when starting from cold, usually with choke, to keep it running and that means the clutch kicks in and the prop turns. Just keep the tender tied up until the engine warms up and will keep running at idle.
Click to expand...

Not my experience of 15 years with one.
. sounds like you need a carb cleanout..
 
Thanks to all for your advice and comments, you have put my mind at rest and I shall get one.
(My only experience of the Honda 2.3 is that I have heard them around the marina but never seen one close up!)
 
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