Honda 4St outboard BF2.3B

[jim5099]

I purchased a Honda 4 stroke, 2.3 HP outboard last year. For the first season, it ran perfectly.
For it's second season, it will not run at full revs. If you open the throttle fully the engine increases revs for a few seconds and then dies and cuts out as if it has run out of petrol. It will run all day at about 3/4 revs.
Any ideas ? I have checked the tank, the fuel screen and for kinks in the line. The throttle butterfly is opening fully. It has been serviced by a dealer with an oil change, new plug, etc.
One possibility is that at the end of the season, I did neglect to drain the carb. Subsequently the dealer said that he had to flush out the carb with solvent to get it to operate. I have looked at the main jet and it appears clear now.
I would appreciate any advice on this otherwise excellent motor.
Jim (Sigma33)

 

[gandy]

Have you checked fuel flow with your own eyes? If there's a drain plug on the carb, take that out and open the fuel cock - make sure fuel continues to flow. I've been fooled in the past by getting an initial gush of fuel that then peters out.

My two stroke Merc had exactly the same symptoms when it had water in the fuel, but if you drain into a container then you can check that as well.

 

[kspirit53]

I experienced exactly the same problem with mine. It was due to old fuel in the carb from the previous season. Empty all old fuel out of tank and drain carb (screw located under engine - see manual). Fill with fresh fuel together with fuel treatment and run for at least 10 mins. This should clear carb and help to keep it free from "gungeing up" in future. I have found the fuel treatment to work well.