Honda 2.3 ouboard starting problems

[peter623918]

My Honda 2.3 outboard 8 years old now keeps having starting problems , Ive check it all through ,keep stripping the carb down and thourghly cleaned which normally sorts it out ok each time, for a while anyway. Its regularly used and been looked after and seviced from new but keeps having this annoying recurring problem every few months, . Petrol is always fresh and i never see in muck in the carb and fuel flows normal and the vent is ok . Spark plug has been replaced and spark is good. The stop button and connections checked and working.
Any ideas anyone.
Thanks in advance.
Pete

 

[pawl]

hi, this is probably not going to be much help. I had similar problems with my Honda 2.3, it was very annoying. Problem seemed to be blocked jets in the carb, they're very small, and a problem with the spark plug which I eventually replaced. Sounds as though you have already done all this. However, one thing to check is that your not using a metal fuel can. This caught me out some years ago.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Pete the jet holes are very small , I would soak it in break cleaner then take it to a garage and give it a good blow tho .

 

[steve66]

Don't soak your jets in brake cleaner. The pilot jet has an o ring on it and it will melt. Bad starting is usually fuel in the bowl of a carb. If the bowl hasn't been drained the fuel will go off enough to hamper starting after approx 2 weeks.

 

[gordmac]

In my limited experience Hondas seem prone to this. Is the mild steel float bowl rusty inside? I have had success steeping the carb in petrol overnight.