Honda 2.3 - won't idle

jusw

jusw

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I have a nearly new Honda 2.3 outboard.

She has never idled - I just got used to switching off before I crashed into anything! But it's becoming tiresome.

The whole motor has probably run less than 10 hours, so I am assuming it is a blocked jet - Can someone give me any pointers as to where the idle jet is and the easiest way to clean it?

p.s. The fuel in the tank is new and pristine.

JuSw
 
I had carb troubles with mine...
I got a UTube film on how and what to do...
Sorry I can't be more specific on how to clean it. But I seem to recall everything came apart without needing new gaskets. There is a plastic jet that screws into some part. It has fine gill like shapes down the length. I also found a tiny bit of dirt in one of the tubes in the carb..

Went back together and started...... much to my relief :encouragement:
 
Last edited:
Remove
1. Release the cover
2. Undo the clamp over the throttle cable outer (8mm)
3. Undo the two long screws that fix the carb to the block (8mm)
4. Remove the air intake assembly and screws
5. wiggle the throttle and choke cables out of the carb
6. As the carb is withdrawn pull the fuel pipe off and wedge upright above the tank to prevent fuel loss
Strip bottom!
7. Undo the bolt retaining the float bowl...can seize on older engines (10mm)
8. Withdraw the pin retaining the float and remove the float
9. Undo the brass screw retaining the jet using a flat screwdriver (inside the lfoat bowl retaining screw thread)
10. Withdraw the jet noting which way round it fits
Strip top!
11. Undo the four screws retaining the top cover
12. Using flat nose pliers grip the black plastic jet and pull assertively

I have no idea how to put them back together :-)
 
Really simple these. A friend dropped one in the sea. I managed to rebuild it and get it running in an afternoon. Pretty noisy engines though.... I can't remember specifically, but the carb should be easy to stip down and clean.
 
I know this is a very old thread but Just wanted to post a quick thank you for the advice on the Honda 2.3 carburetor.

My eldest has got to the age where he wants to control our tender on his own, but struggles with the gears. The clutch system on the honda seems an ideal solution (and it's low powered!!), so I took a chance and put a bid in on one on the goto auction site.

The engine started perfectly, first or second pull, but cut out as soon as the choke was in and wouldn't idle.

Fastjedi's 12 point guide worked like a charm, sure enough the carb bowl was full of c**p and the black idle jet was totally blocked. An hour later (allowing for giving everything a good clean) and it's idling perfectly.

Can't wait to get it on the water. 😎

Matt
 
Can I just add my thanks to @fastjedi for that 12 point guide above particularly the reference to cleaning the top of the carb and the black idle jet which completely solved my idle issues. Incredible to me that no service or maintenance sources refer to this crucial jet. Many thanks!
 
jusw said:
I have a nearly new Honda 2.3 outboard.

She has never idled - I just got used to switching off before I crashed into anything! But it's becoming tiresome.

The whole motor has probably run less than 10 hours, so I am assuming it is a blocked jet - Can someone give me any pointers as to where the idle jet is and the easiest way to clean it?

p.s. The fuel in the tank is new and pristine.

JuSw
Click to expand...
Ive just done one. Take the carb off and then the float bowl. Take the main jet out and the emulsion tube underneath it. The emulsion tubes have horizontal holes in. They get blocked, the top ones in it were, this one also had crud in the main jet, not completely blocked. I used a fine wire out of a wire brush to clean the jets. For the ones who like to suck their teeth, I’ve done it for 60 years and never had any issues from doing it.
 
If it wont tick over its your slow running jet...basically with most carbs you have 2 running circuits, slow and main. The slow circuit works when the venturi isnt causing a vacuum to pull fuel up through the main jet ( choke closed).
The slow running jet also called pilot jet is nearly half the hole size as the main jet ( 0.30mm on a 2.3 Honda). Its situated under the plate on top of the carb and lools like a black plastic bung. Lever it out with two small screwdrivers, check there is still a small o ring on the jet....most important. The jet hole itself is underneath and joins with horizontal holes through the jet body.
You will not be able to see daylight looking up the jet,
Clean jet with wire or jewellers bit taking care not to enlarge it.
Then look at the airbox mounting face on the carb. You will see two small holes...these are transition ports...one leads to the slow running mixture screw, the other to the main jet via the pilot jet. Blow these ports out with air or carb cleaner, a tip here is to remove the carb cleaner nozzle and push the tube of the carb cleaner where the nozzle sits into the holes .
This is the way I clean carbs. I tend to get better results amd is much faster than using an ultrasonic cleaner.
I hope this helps anyone struggling
 
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