Honda BF2.3 carb clean

Seadawg33

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I have that same outboard. One thing that I can say is that I think it is very important to shut off the fuel and run the engine dry. I do this every evening. This maybe be overkill but I have had no fuel problems since I started doing this. At the end of the season I disconnect the carb and clean if with a lint free towel and some acetone. I also do the same with the fuel tank. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes at the end of the season but when I start the engine with fresh gas at the start of the season I have not had any problems.
 

steve66

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Re 9 above
I put a tiny allen key through the hole, gave it a little wiggle and out it came on through a similar hole on the opposite side of the tube.
Then I thought well have i just disturbed something or have I actually provided a clear flow route?? Other than blowing through the choke and throttle flaps as suggested, how else can the main jet be cleared?
Reassembled and no go - very dead sound suggesting that flow is not getting through to carb.

Second query,
On removal of the air filter one sees a short open ended rubber hose which appears to be a fuel overflow or return hose? Anyone clear on its purpose and should it be connected to anything at the open end?
That is the crankcase breather. It needs to be routed into the hole in the air box
 

jim5099

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For a couple of seasons, my BF2.3 would not run without partial choke and/or only on half throttle. Fuel starvation was obviously the issue so I dismantled and cleaned the carb a number of times. I eventually found an inline fuel filter that was partially blocked. It's located at the outlet of the fuel tank and is accessed by removing the fuel line. Runnng fine now.
 

steve66

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For a couple of seasons, my BF2.3 would not run without partial choke and/or only on half throttle. Fuel starvation was obviously the issue so I dismantled and cleaned the carb a number of times. I eventually found an inline fuel filter that was partially blocked. It's located at the outlet of the fuel tank and is accessed by removing the fuel line. Runnng fine now.

If your engine will only run on choke 99% of the time the slow running circuit is blocked usually at the pilot jet
 

Rolo42

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Many thanks Phoenix of Hamble and also Sailingman 111 for this post. I have a 12 month old 2.3 and the carb drain screw sheared off. I was scratching my head how to access this so your post was awesome. Cheers
 

ghostlymoron

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The OPs symptoms sound very much like my hedge trimmer's so I'll try the same. It's not a Honda but should be similar. It's only a 50cc engine so I dread to think how small the jets are. Sorry about thread drift.
 

steve66

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The OPs symptoms sound very much like my hedge trimmer's so I'll try the same. It's not a Honda but should be similar. It's only a 50cc engine so I dread to think how small the jets are. Sorry about thread drift.
Its a completely different carb I'm afraid. Yours on your hedge trimmer will probably be a diaphragm carb. You usually been to replace the diaphragm to cure the running issue
 

Airscrew

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THANK YOU Phoenix of Hamble for the amazing update on carb cleaning.

I used your notes to clean my carb, and also took some photos, which I put into a doc for my own reference for next year.

If this helps please feel free to use:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J_LEq5sY4abs75jeYxCSj3hdqpkzcMXykbc7XkavrQw/edit?usp=sharing

SailingMan. Thanks for this. About to strip down our Honda, and even in advance, I am certain this will be very very useful. Bumping this thread for others, plus to find it again for my self if needed!!
 

Fairwaystraveller

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Many thanks for the photos. Better than a Haynes manual!
That's really helpful, thank you. A Honda 2.3 came with my new (to me) boat and I could only get it to run for 1/2 second. I removed the carb and found the float bowl rusted and the main jet blocked. I've cure-rusted the bowl and epoxied it inside and out but couldn't remember which way the long multi holed tube went back. Your photos have cleared that up for me. Reassembling and testing tomorrow so here's hoping!
 

Sailinguy

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Thank you for this helpful thread everyone.
I have cleaned the jets many times and could not figure out why I couldn’t get it to idle. That little plastic piece on the top was gunked up and didn’t know about it till I saw this thread.
Thank you running like new again.
 
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