Honda 2hp won't start!...

A

AquaholicM31

Active Member
Joined
9 May 2016
Messages
55
Visit site
Hi All,
Got a Honda bf2 which I just can't get to start. Done all the usual things like new spark plug and full strip down and clean of the carb bowl but still no luck. I have also taken the valve cover off and made sure that the valve spacing is as per the spec.
The outboard wants to start and sparks once or twice when pulled over but it sounds like the timing is off as it sparks once then dies immediately.
Is it possible to adjust the timing on these outboards?
Can anyone else suggest anything else for me to look at?
 
Check that the kill switch is being engaged enough by the clip to allow the engine to start. Wedge the switch bit further out if there is any free movement in it.

If that doesn't work, squirt a little neat petrol into the air intake. Remove the filter if possible. Just 2 or 3 mls to start with. Then pull the cord. if the engine bursts into life for a few seconds you have a fuel/carb problem. If the engine does not start try again with a few more mls. If it doesn't start remove the spark plug. If it smells of petrol or looks wet with fuel you have an ignition/electric problem.

Richard
 
Thanks for comments Richard.
I put a cable tie on the kill cord to make sure it's out enough and tested with a spark plug tester which indicated it was sparking.
Done the petrol in intake and it helped it spark 2 or 3 times instead of the usual 1 but still doesn't run. Plug isn't wet but does smell of petrol.
 
Has the outboard been stored with fuel in its tank for a long time? If so, it might be worth emptying the tank and re-filling with fresh petrol. I never seem to have any trouble with my Honda 2.3 after leaving it unused over the winter. In contrast, my rotavator simply will not run with "old" fuel in its tank.
 
Is this the 4 stroke ?
I owned one for a couple of weeks and found out about the leaking oil when stored the wrong way.
Mine would not start either until I topped up the oil. Seems it has sensor to monitor if not enough oil.
 
AquaholicM31 said:
Thanks for comments Richard.
I put a cable tie on the kill cord to make sure it's out enough and tested with a spark plug tester which indicated it was sparking.
Done the petrol in intake and it helped it spark 2 or 3 times instead of the usual 1 but still doesn't run. Plug isn't wet but does smell of petrol.
Click to expand...

I think by "spark" 2 or 3 times you mean that the the engine fired a few times but didn't continue to run after that?

If so it's definitely a fuel/carburation problem. As CVTA says, I'm sure that the jet will be blocked with residue from evaporated petrol. Cleaning the float chamber is a good idea but it's not enough with these small engines which have tiny jet diameters. You will need solvent or carb cleaner and an airline or very fine wire to clean everything out.

Richard
 
AquaholicM31 said:
Hi All,
Got a Honda bf2 which I just can't get to start. Done all the usual things like new spark plug and full strip down and clean of the carb bowl but still no luck. I have also taken the valve cover off and made sure that the valve spacing is as per the spec.
The outboard wants to start and sparks once or twice when pulled over but it sounds like the timing is off as it sparks once then dies immediately.
Is it possible to adjust the timing on these outboards?
Can anyone else suggest anything else for me to look at?
Click to expand...

Steve66 is the man to ask. Judging from past threads , anyway
 
Thanks for the other suggestions. Yes fuel tank has fresh fuel in it. When i stripped the card i removed cleaned and blew through all of the jets (which were quite clean anyway).
By spark 2 or 3 times i mean you can hear the "bang" of the spark igniting once or if im lucky twice each time i pull the starter so it does spark and ignite something but it just wont continue.
Will double check the oil level tomorrow.
 
Hi. Need to establish what model 2hp it is. Is it the bf2a sidevalve engine block or bf2d ohv block with centrifugal clutch. Both have different non starting characteristics.
 
Hi here are a few things to try.
Btw there is no oil sensor on these engines
You could try disconnecting the dead mans switch by undoing the bullet connector near the plug lead
Try it with your old plug in. I have had a few new bad plugs esp ngk.
What gap did you set your valves to?
Remove the carb and take off the float bowl. On the carb fuel pick up tube that holds the main jet and emulsion tube there are 2 holes about 1/4 inch from the bottom. Make sure they are not blocked.
Try that and let me know how you get on. Give me a call if you get stuck
 
I had this problem and it was caused by the jets not being clean. I 'cleaned' them but it still wouldn't start. A workshop cleared them properly with a blast of compressed air.

The other time it wouldn't start was oil in the float chamber.
 
AquaholicM31 said:
Hi All,
Got a Honda bf2 which I just can't get to start. Done all the usual things like new spark plug and full strip down and clean of the carb bowl but still no luck. I have also taken the valve cover off and made sure that the valve spacing is as per the spec.
The outboard wants to start and sparks once or twice when pulled over but it sounds like the timing is off as it sparks once then dies immediately.
Is it possible to adjust the timing on these outboards?
Can anyone else suggest anything else for me to look at?
Click to expand...
I have just bought a second hand Honda 2hp BF2 4 Stroke. No such thing as a cheap outboard, I replaced the shaft seals and rebuilt the carby as the bowl was completely rusted out. Changed the engine oil and dismantled the prop gear drive as it was full of water, no oil. Got it running fine, the oil level in the site glass looked a touch low, so I topped it up. I took it for a run on my dinghy and it went well. Tied to start it an hour later, and no go. Had to row home. When I got back I managed to start it after it spluttered a little, then when I reved it , it blew white smoke and stalked.
The motto of this story is probably your issue, iff you slightly overfill the engine with oul, it won't start . Maybe there is a sensor with a cut out iff its overfilled, but I can assure you, this was the problem. I emptied a little oil from the filler plug, until I could see the level with the plug out, with the engine horizontal. THIS IS THE LEVEL... Put the plug back in and it started first go and ran smoothly. So overfilling the engine oil will cause you grief...Mick see
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top