Honda 2.3hp Four Stroke Problem

Jon magowan

Jon magowan

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Help !
Have just acquired a Honda, air cooled 2.3hp four stroke off eBay.
It doesn’t start particularly well but it runs at idle quite happily all day.
Trouble is, as soon as I increase the revs above about half throttle the motor dies very quickly. It’s not so bad when it’s warm but it still happens. I’m hoping it’s just a problem with the mixture but would really appreciate some help here from the experts out there 🤞.
Thanks in advance.
 
Once you get it clear, it's probably worth using a fuel additive. It prolongs the life of the petrol. I use Briggs and Stratton "Fuel Set". Other brands are available.
 
Jon magowan said:
Thanks guys. There seems to be a consensus there then……blocked carb jet !
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Yes it’s maybe the one I sold two years ago , I was going away and having probs with an old 2 stroke , so I got a new 2.3 a bag of shit and still using the 2stroke. Honda make the best 4 stroke engine easily , but this is a runt.
 
Jon magowan said:
Help !
Have just acquired a Honda, air cooled 2.3hp four stroke off eBay.
It doesn’t start particularly well but it runs at idle quite happily all day.
Trouble is, as soon as I increase the revs above about half throttle the motor dies very quickly. It’s not so bad when it’s warm but it still happens. I’m hoping it’s just a problem with the mixture but would really appreciate some help here from the experts out there 🤞.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Mixture? Just plain petrol. It will help enormously if you don't use E10. Go for the best grade available from your petrol station usually E5
 
Oh, so we think the Honda BF2.3 four stroke is rubbish ?
What motor should I be looking to buy then ?

Ok, thanks. I’ll try E5.
 
Definitely use E5 petrol, cured all my 2 stroke and 4 stroke problems on Honda 2.3, Honda lawnmower, and strimmer and generator. And clean the carb of course.
 
Jon magowan said:
Oh, so we think the Honda BF2.3 four stroke is rubbish ?
What motor should I be looking to buy then ?

Ok, thanks. I’ll try E5.
Click to expand...

Err, nope love our 2007 version. No 2 stroke oil mixing needed and no water pump to service. Btw, the other little 4 stroke outboards also suffer from stale fuel problems.

So keep the little Honda, but do replace the four bolts that hold it together from under the cowl so they don't corrode in place. Also it helps to replace the two bolts which hold the carb on with hex bolts. See Steve66'spostings:

https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?members/steve66.70826/#recent-content

Easy to strip down even on the boat with a set of hex drives and a small socket set. I was thinking of replacing it with an electric motor, but it just keeps going on and on.
 
Possibly a partially blocked jet, is ths fuel pump fresh...e10 or e5...doesnt matter. If not drain tank and carb and replace. Could be a vacuum leak on carb and/ or inlet manifold.
May need tweaking
 
Phantomfil said:
Yes it’s maybe the one I sold two years ago , I was going away and having probs with an old 2 stroke , so I got a new 2.3 a bag of shit and still using the 2stroke. Honda make the best 4 stroke engine easily , but this is a runt.
Click to expand...
I'd like to add my recent experience with my lightly used 3 year old 2.3 hp. Won't start. Cleaned spark plug, etc.Found this site and many solid suggestions. Too much oil ?? The engine is very fussy. Needs to be absolutely vertical. Drained out about 1.5 ounces until oil level was dead center in the target. Fired up immediately. Felt obligated to register and share my experience. Thanks.
 
xwhyz said:
I'd like to add my recent experience with my lightly used 3 year old 2.3 hp. Won't start. Cleaned spark plug, etc.Found this site and many solid suggestions. Too much oil ?? The engine is very fussy. Needs to be absolutely vertical. Drained out about 1.5 ounces until oil level was dead center in the target. Fired up immediately. Felt obligated to register and share my experience. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Oil in "dead centre in the target" is overfull. See the manual.
 
I acquired one of the Honda 2hp outboards last week. After cleaning the carb and poking bristles through the main jet it starts easily and idles beautifully, it just won’t rev unless the choke is out. Adjusting the mixture screw doesn’t seem to make a whit of difference either. Stripped the carb again and made sure all the little holes are clear. Same problem. Won’t rev past the starting position on the throttle unless the choke is out.
With the engine running at a fast idle I sprayed carb cleaner behind the carb and the revs dropped before picking up again. Looks to me as if one or more of the gaskets are passing making the engine run lean when the choke is in.
New set of gaskets on order.
 
Porthandbuoy said:
I acquired one of the Honda 2hp outboards last week. After cleaning the carb and poking bristles through the main jet it starts easily and idles beautifully, it just won’t rev unless the choke is out. Adjusting the mixture screw doesn’t seem to make a whit of difference either. Stripped the carb again and made sure all the little holes are clear. Same problem. Won’t rev past the starting position on the throttle unless the choke is out.
With the engine running at a fast idle I sprayed carb cleaner behind the carb and the revs dropped before picking up again. Looks to me as if one or more of the gaskets are passing making the engine run lean when the choke is in.
New set of gaskets on order.
Click to expand...
Thats usual even with good gaskets
 
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