Honda 2.3 problems

[Oily Rag]

Engine starts normally and runs at any speed. Then it stops fairly quickly. No spluttering over a period of a few seconds as would Ben the case if I shut the fuel valve.

It won't restart immediately, but will do after a minute. Then it stops, having run for a short period at high revs or a longer one at idle. But it still stops!

Tests to date have been in a tank of water. I assume fuel supply to float chamber is blocked, but that carburettor jets are still OK.

Before I start to strip it down, does anyone have any views or advice? Many thanks.

 

[jneale]

Sounds like overheating & seizing up - is cooling water coming out ?

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Sounds like overheating & seizing up - is cooling water coming out ?

They are air cooled.
Carburettor clean might be a good start. The float bowls rust.

 

[jamie N]

I'd a slightly similar thing with mine, which turned out to be old fuel, and not having had enough use. I sploshed some new fuel in, and it seems to have worked.
Concerning the rust issues, I've not encountered those with mine having sprayed the body of the motor all over with WD40, and giving it a good rub with an oily rag every year.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Sounds like overheating & seizing up - is cooling water coming out ?

It's air cooled. Doesn't even need to be run in water. Charter base personnel typically test-run them while attached to the pushpit.

 

[VicS]

Engine starts normally and runs at any speed. Then it stops fairly quickly. No spluttering over a period of a few seconds as would Ben the case if I shut the fuel valve.

It won't restart immediately, but will do after a minute. Then it stops, having run for a short period at high revs or a longer one at idle. But it still stops!

Tests to date have been in a tank of water. I assume fuel supply to float chamber is blocked, but that carburettor jets are still OK.

Before I start to strip it down, does anyone have any views or advice? Many thanks.

Check the fuel tank vent (take the cap off and try it)

Check the fuel flow to the carb, especially the filter in the tank outlet

Check the carb float is not sticking, likewise check the needle valve.

Check the fuel shut off valve is opening fully

 

[Steve65]

Change the plug.
Do you run it on Aspen?

 

[Oily Rag]

Many thanks all. Yes, it's air cooled, but the manual does recommend testing in water. I think it's a lubrication rather than a cooling thing.
It hasn't seized and is very happy to start. And then stop.
I will check the filter and report back!?

 

[PeterBoater]

and giving it a good rub with an oily rag every year.

Note the name of the OP!

 

[PeterBoater]

Many thanks all. Yes, it's air cooled, but the manual does recommend testing in water. I think it's a lubrication rather than a cooling thing.
It hasn't seized and is very happy to start. And then stop.
I will check the filter and report back!?

It's for the cooling of the gears in the bottom of the leg.

 

[Steve65]

Many thanks all. Yes, it's air cooled, but the manual does recommend testing in water. I think it's a lubrication rather than a cooling thing.
It hasn't seized and is very happy to start. And then stop.
I will check the filter and report back!?

Its the plug, change it and it will be fine

 

[Scomber]

Change the plug.
Do you run it on Aspen?

Is it worth running regularly on this stuff Steve ? He might want to get upgraded fuel bowl from yourself?

 

[Steve65]

Do not run these on Aspen,it wrecks plugs. Exactly as the OP is describing

 

[PetiteFleur]

I always add Honda fuel additive to the can I have for both my Honda 2.3 and my ancient Honda lawn mower. Never had a problem - yet... this will be the first year with the new E10 fuel.

 

[Steve65]

Fuel additive is not Aspen, Aspen is Akylate fuel that burns cooler. It damages the coating on the plug causing it to fail when warm.
Fuel additive is very good , I recommend it......Aspen not

 

[Steve65]

It's for the cooling of the gears in the bottom of the leg.

The earlier models had a plastic driveshaft sleeve that went through the rubber bung in the leg. If run out of water they melt but have since been replaced with brass. Any remaining plastic ones will be disintergrated by now so running out of water will be fine

 

[Scomber]

Fuel additive is not Aspen, Aspen is Akylate fuel that burns cooler. It damages the coating on the plug causing it to fail when warm.
Fuel additive is very good , I recommend it......Aspen not

Something like the honda additive ?

 

[Steve65]

Any fuel stabiliser will be fine

 

[Oily Rag]

Thank you all and now for the feedback.

I stripped the carb, cleaned it as best I could, but no problems spotted.
Fuel tank removed and flushed with clean petrol. Fuel filter cleaned.
All reassembled and fresh fuel added to tank. (I had left a pint of last year's fuel in and diluted it with fresh because I didn't want to invert the engine and the float chamber drain plug has seized.)
Started the engine in a dustbin of water and.....it cut out just as before. Fast cut-out, no spluttering. I assumed the ignition system had failed.
So I called Evans Marine in Wolverhampton to book up a time to take it there for repair. He told me it was probably the plug and to fit another one before booking anything.
Just fitted the new plug and.....the engine works! ??

Many thanks to all of you and to Evans Marine. I know where it will be going at the end of this season for a professional service!

 

[Steve65]

Thank you all and now for the feedback.

I stripped the carb, cleaned it as best I could, but no problems spotted.
Fuel tank removed and flushed with clean petrol. Fuel filter cleaned.
All reassembled and fresh fuel added to tank. (I had left a pint of last year's fuel in and diluted it with fresh because I didn't want to invert the engine and the float chamber drain plug has seized.)
Started the engine in a dustbin of water and.....it cut out just as before. Fast cut-out, no spluttering. I assumed the ignition system had failed.
So I called Evans Marine in Wolverhampton to book up a time to take it there for repair. He told me it was probably the plug and to fit another one before booking anything.
Just fitted the new plug and.....the engine works! ??

Many thanks to all of you and to Evans Marine. I know where it will be going at the end of this season for a professional service!

Thank you, great to hear it worked out for you!
Occasionally I guess correctly