Honda 2.3 whinge

[NormanS]

I bought mine a year and a half ago, but didn't use it until this year. It's been fine. I use the choke, but push it in as soon as it starts (usually second pull). I always run it until the carburettor is empty, which seems to take ages. So far, I've used standard petrol, but as a result of E10, I think I'll probably treat it to Aspen next year. No water passages to get clogged up. Yippee!

 

[Neeves]

Stainless bolts can be really useful but they are not much use if used without Duralac (or whatever) and threaded to an aluminium casting (you mention the engine is light?)

We religiously turned of the fuel supply to drain the carb - of little value if the stainless bolts shear and the service agent wants to charge the value of a new OB to retreive and replace .

We are fortunate, Lucky Country, and can still use 2 stroke O/Bs. Guess what we used to replace the Honda, ours was a slightly different model I think a Honda 2.0, 4 stroke. Complete waste of money - discourages any ideas of being environmentally responsible.

Jonathan

 

[Moodysailor]

Thanks for the advice. The fact that Steve sold me, at a very modest price, the stainless bolts that Honda had not seen fit to put on a marine engine, tells us a lot about the contempt with which Honda view yachtspeople!

Wouldn’t it be nice if it ran at tick over straight away? That surely is, in the immortal words of Barack Obama, the “whole point” of the centrifugal clutch!

I used to work for a company who sold Honda o/b's (as well as other stuff). We had an engineer there who was a dab hand at PDI's on the BF2.3 - I think his record was 20 running at once!

I don't know much about them, but I do know he once told me that he had to adjust the carb on pretty much every single unit out the box. He thought it was due to the different fuels, but it could just be crap QC at the factory. Either way, pretty much all small OB's are "finicky" with carbs.

Unrelated, but our boat came with a Merc 3.5 - I always thought it was a pointless little thing, not enough power for it's weight. That is where the little Honda is handy. We sold the 3.5 and bought a second hand Yam 6 - that was a great investment. It has enough power to be useful, takes an external tank so can run for months, doesn't seem as "finicky". The downside is the weight, but we leave it on the dinghy as we have davits or just use a halyard to lift it.

Electric will be on the cards for us next...

 

[Sea-Fever]

I'll throw my 10p in.......(it's not tuppence any more you know....inflation)

I've got a bf2.3 that suffered the same symptoms, it wouldn't idle. Took the carb apart and cleared the idle jet with a single wire from a brass wire brush. It then ran like a dream for 2 seasons.

This year same problem but a blast at full throttle for 10 minutes sorted it.

...and all this is without new fuel and not bothering to drain the carb so i can't really complain and it's easy enough to fix if you have the time.

I do sometimes hanker after a 4 stroke for a bit more peace and quiet whilst motoring.

 

[robmcg]

This is our first season with a Honda 2.3. On the whole, it has been a positive experience. On the plus side, it is very fuel efficient compared to the Mariner 2.5 2 stroke it replaced. It is light to move around and it starts and runs very well. On the minus side, I can't really get on with the centrifugal clutch. It often remains 'in gear' when switched off so when it's started again, you are trying to start it in gear with the subsequent backlash through the pull cord. One occasion this season nearly resulted in a broken wrist. Just wondering if that is an idiosyncrasy of this engine or does it require adjustment?

 

[Steve65]

Hi..I keep saying it but do not run Honda 2.3hp engines on any alkylate fuel including Aspen. The manufacturers of these fuel will preach the benefits but with prolong usage in a Honda will cause it to break down. I have repaired countless engines run on Aspen. Aspen burs at a different temperature than petrol and causes all sorts of problems especially for the ignition system.
I can rebuild your carb and set it up to run correctly( it actually should run better than original) if required.
Nowadays with 10% Ethanol its imperative not to leave fuel lying in carbs when not in use.
I would suggest emptying the Aspen and replacing with pump fresh Super Unleaded petrol and also changing your spark plug irrespective of its age.
Hope this helps

 

[Steve65]

This is our first season with a Honda 2.3. On the whole, it has been a positive experience. On the plus side, it is very fuel efficient compared to the Mariner 2.5 2 stroke it replaced. It is light to move around and it starts and runs very well. On the minus side, I can't really get on with the centrifugal clutch. It often remains 'in gear' when switched off so when it's started again, you are trying to start it in gear with the subsequent backlash through the pull cord. One occasion this season nearly resulted in a broken wrist. Just wondering if that is an idiosyncrasy of this engine or does it require adjustment?

Easy free fix to stop compression backlash....
When starting gently pull the starter cord until you get compression. Let the cord recoil then start it.

 

[Kukri]

I have never before owned an item of yottiquipment that I have actually hated.

I hate my Honda 2.3.

I bought it new from Seamark Nunn. It has enjoyed a diet of pure four stroke Aspen Fuel.

It is quite light. That is all that can be said for it.

It is hard to start, and once started it will not idle. It runs full blast, with a vicious tiller action, and stops erratically.

This is the worst thing I have ever bought for a boat.

I am going back to my honest and dependable Seagull Forty Plus*.

* with biodegradable two stroke, at 25:1

I owe the little Honda an apology. My elder son discovered that the screw that controls the twist grip was stuck. It is now behaving better.