Honda 2.3 - Fine apart from....

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wfe1947

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21 Sep 2009
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1. Mild steel bolts that go rusty.
2. Carb. fuel bowl pressed from galvanised mild steel and so goes rusty.
3. Long set screws that are used to mount both the carburettor and the air filter. Makes it fiddly to get them re-installed. Women may be able to multi-task but set screws shouldn't! So simple to use a couple of screws for the carb and separate set screw to hold the filter to the card. I know this is the normal way on small outboards but it is annoying.
4. The inability to fully remove the cowling because the pull cord retains it and so it has to be danglked while working on the motor. I did remove it once from the pull handle only for it to disappear into the rewing mechanism. Another real pain to put it back.
 
I am also surprised at the use of mild steel bolts on outboard engines. I helped a friend with his 9.8HP Yamaha where the mild steel bolts holding the leg sections together had corroded and burst the aluminium alloy leg section. My Tohatsu engine also is guilty of having plated (not very well ) mild steel bolts and my brand new Yamaha also has what appear to be unplated 12mm steel tramsom bolts!
 
Indeed, Steve supplied me with a set of replacement engine bolts and also the two long bolts which hold the carb on. These do need replacing as a standard socket doesn't quite fit the original bolt head because the plastic case is too close. Replacements are allen key bolts.

Pete
 
Yes. Steve is your man.

I'm currently servicing mine at home. I've had mine for twenty years and I thought
I would check the valve timing . It's never been done.

Took a few bits off to gain access but I'm left scratching my head . I can't see how
to remove the valve cover as there is no room to remove it or gain access to the two bottom
studs. If anybody has successfully achieved this task I would welcome any tips.
 
fredrussell said:
And yet despite these faults, best small outboard ever.
Click to expand...

I always believed that so when my pal was selling his virtually unused one for a more powerful outboard I snapped it up. (I also have a Tohatsu 2.5).

I serviced it, sprayed a bit of preservative oil, covered it in a poly bag and put it away for the winter. That was about 10 years ago.

Earlier this week I took my wife’s bicycle out of hibernation, for obvious reasons, and I rediscovered the Honda, I’d pretty much forgotten about it ?

It looks pretty good. Not sure whether to put some fuel in it and try to get it running or just return it to a corner of the shed for another decade ?
 
chriss999 said:
Fine apart from ... the noise
Click to expand...
Yes, forgot about that! Although it is reckoned that when measured scientifically, it doesn't come out any noisier than similar sized outboards but I need a bit of convincing to believe that!
However, the best thing is that it is air cooled.
 
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wfe1947 said:
1. Mild steel bolts that go rusty.
2. Carb. fuel bowl pressed from galvanised mild steel and so goes rusty.
3. Long set screws that are used to mount both the carburettor and the air filter. Makes it fiddly to get them re-installed. Women may be able to multi-task but set screws shouldn't! So simple to use a couple of screws for the carb and separate set screw to hold the filter to the card. I know this is the normal way on small outboards but it is annoying.
4. The inability to fully remove the cowling because the pull cord retains it and so it has to be danglked while working on the motor. I did remove it once from the pull handle only for it to disappear into the rewing mechanism. Another real pain to put it back.
Click to expand...

As mentioned Steve66, aka Steve Evans of Evans Marine Service is your man for anything to do with these small Hondas

Welcome to Evans Marine Service Honda 2 & 2.3hp outboard specialist Honda 2 & 2.3hp outboard parts
 
LONG_KEELER said:
Yes. Steve is your man.

I'm currently servicing mine at home. I've had mine for twenty years and I thought
I would check the valve timing . It's never been done.

Took a few bits off to gain access but I'm left scratching my head . I can't see how
to remove the valve cover as there is no room to remove it or gain access to the two bottom
studs. If anybody has successfully achieved this task I would welcome any tips.
Click to expand...
Hi,
Good idea resetting tappets, its vital on this model. Unfortunately you have to remove the powerhead. I tend to adjust the valves on all of my engines.I think you have my number, give me a call if you need assistance. Quick tip,,,,dont try to remove the exhaust. Strip it and adjust with the exhaust in situ
 
Just wanted to do +1 for Steve Evans. I bought some replacement bits off him early last year, so had his card and phone number.

When I carelessly dunked my Honda 2.3 off the beach he took my call and advised me how to deal with it, and when (unsurprisingly) it ran poorly when I tried to recommission it this month he was happy for me to send him the carb for cleaning and - as he discovered - repair of an old fault. All at a very reasonable price indeed, and so fast that it took me longer for me to get Hermes to pick the carb up and send it to him than it did for him to complete the job and send it back!

All this for a customer who had only originally bought a handful of bolts and a gasket from him. If only all after-sales service was as expert, prompt and cheerful as this!

I've no particular fondness for the Honda machines, but having someone like Steve on hand to support them is a major advantage for a non-expert mechanic like me.
 
lampshuk said:
Just wanted to do +1 for Steve Evans. I bought some replacement bits off him early last year, so had his card and phone number.

When I carelessly dunked my Honda 2.3 off the beach he took my call and advised me how to deal with it, and when (unsurprisingly) it ran poorly when I tried to recommission it this month he was happy for me to send him the carb for cleaning and - as he discovered - repair of an old fault. All at a very reasonable price indeed, and so fast that it took me longer for me to get Hermes to pick the carb up and send it to him than it did for him to complete the job and send it back!

All this for a customer who had only originally bought a handful of bolts and a gasket from him. If only all after-sales service was as expert, prompt and cheerful as this!

I've no particular fondness for the Honda machines, but having someone like Steve on hand to support them is a major advantage for a non-expert mechanic like me.
Click to expand...
+1 , get the ss bolts from steve.
 
I also got the replacement ss bolts from steve66 - excellent engine, always starts 2nd pull even after winter layup(as long as you remember to turn the fuel on!) - I do use the Honda fuel additive every time I fill the tank.
 
When we bought our boat we inherited a Honda 2.0. I had planned to buy a Honda 4 or 5 to go with our new dinghy, but decided to try the 2.0 for a season and see how we got on. It drives the 3D Fastcat 2.80 at 6 knots in flat water one up and we have got used to it. It is light, economical and noisy :), but it gets us around. It is sometimes difficult to start in the morning, usually solved by removing the plug and turning it over a few times.
I left it unused for several years and that cost us a new carb. All the mild steel bolts are rusty so I will replace them this year from Steve 66 - thanks for the reminder.
20180826_105430 - Copy.jpg
 
lampshuk said:
Just wanted to do +1 for Steve Evans. I bought some replacement bits off him early last year, so had his card and phone number.

When I carelessly dunked my Honda 2.3 off the beach he took my call and advised me how to deal with it, and when (unsurprisingly) it ran poorly when I tried to recommission it this month he was happy for me to send him the carb for cleaning and - as he discovered - repair of an old fault. All at a very reasonable price indeed, and so fast that it took me longer for me to get Hermes to pick the carb up and send it to him than it did for him to complete the job and send it back!

All this for a customer who had only originally bought a handful of bolts and a gasket from him. If only all after-sales service was as expert, prompt and cheerful as this!

I've no particular fondness for the Honda machines, but having someone like Steve on hand to support them is a major advantage for a non-expert mechanic like me.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind words,
Steve
 
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