Honda BF2A stalling

Moët

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Hi,
I have an older 2hp Honda outboard that has a couple of problems:
Firstly it sometimes just starts to run slower and slower and finally just grinds to a halt. Usually it will restart ok and keep going but I've noticed that if the fuel tank gets below a certain level it won't restart unless I top it up. This can happen even with quite a lot of fuel still in it.
Does anyone have any ideas as I don't enjoy the mild terror of the engine stopping.
Thanks
 
Hi,
I have an older 2hp Honda outboard that has a couple of problems:
Firstly it sometimes just starts to run slower and slower and finally just grinds to a halt. Usually it will restart ok and keep going but I've noticed that if the fuel tank gets below a certain level it won't restart unless I top it up. This can happen even with quite a lot of fuel still in it.
Does anyone have any ideas as I don't enjoy the mild terror of the engine stopping.
Thanks

I think the first thing I would do is check the tank vent. Does taking the cap off help? Then check the fuel flow from tank to carb, looking for a bunged up filter/ tank outlet or fuel tap . Theres a filter there somewhere. Exact location may depend on the age.
 
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Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
I wondered about the breather on the fuel cap but that does seem to be ok so it sounds like a carb problem maybe. I'll try and take it apart, does anyone know if there are diagrams for this available?
Thanks again!
 
Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
I wondered about the breather on the fuel cap but that does seem to be ok so it sounds like a carb problem maybe. I'll try and take it apart, does anyone know if there are diagrams for this available?
Thanks again!

Check the fuel flow from the tank to the carb before you consider stripping it down.

The symptoms you describe suggest that there is an "in tank" fuel filter, most of which is bunged up with only the top portion clear.

If you must strip the carb there are diagrams on various parts websites but a workshop manual is highly recommended

eg

http://www.lingshondaparts.com/pe/honda_outboard_parts_select_model_m10.php

http://boats.net/
 
The symptoms you describe suggest that there is an "in tank" fuel filter, most of which is bunged up with only the top portion clear.
Don't think there is on mine. I added one from a lawnmower shop. The pipe extends up into the tank to avoid crud.
You can easily pull the pipe off the carb to test the flow. I know mine's ok because I usually inadvertently empty the tank when I strib the carb.

I've never experienced the engine slowing down. Stopping dead, yes!

With the carb off and the jet out you can blow into the carb to check the tap is working.
 
Don't think there is on mine. I added one from a lawnmower shop. The pipe extends up into the tank to avoid crud.
You can easily pull the pipe off the carb to test the flow. I know mine's ok because I usually inadvertently empty the tank when I strib the carb.

I've never experienced the engine slowing down. Stopping dead, yes!

With the carb off and the jet out you can blow into the carb to check the tap is working.

The parts diagrams show a fuel strainer. #1 in these diagrams for example

ZV03E1700.png


ZW63E1700B.png
 
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I seem to recall that when I removed my tank it had a very crude mesh filter on the outlet which would be capable of filtering out boulders but hopeless for fine particles. I installed an in line paper element filter (as usually found on motorbikes). I think it is unlikely that the original filter is blocked unless the OP filled the tank with soil!

My suggestion would explain the symptoms! Runs but slowly dies suggests a fuel flow problem.

Wont run if the fuel is below a certain level suggests a problem with the fuel take off from the tank.

Carb may need cleaning but it's folly to tear it down without eliminating the simple things first.
 
The carbs on these engines really are the simplest thing - stripping and cleaning would take less than half an hour the first time you do it. From my ten years of experience of owning one of these outboards I can say with certainty that you will only benefit from a good carb clean up. Even if I run the carburettor dry at the beginning of winter come the spring it is blocked in some form or other and the engine stalling. The holes inside are the size of microscopic hairs and block really easily - especially the progression ones by the throttle butterfly. I don't think this is the fault that the OP has but even if they just remove the air filter and give a good spray of carb cleaner and then also spray some up through the bowl drain hole then there is a good chance that they will solve any carburettor blockages. They can then go onto stripping out the tank and fuel line if the fault still exists. If they find nothing wrong then a carb strip down it is. I suspect some debris or gumming up in the needle float seat is the fault as this is what modulates the fuel flow rate to the carb.

Carb cleaner gets some glowing recommendations. I have little faith in it.

The needle valve sounds the likley suspect. My "new" Yamaha 2 stroke 4HP was dying at tickover.
I stripped it down and the most obvious thing was that the needle valve body was sticking in the passage it runs in, I had to actually pull the float down to get it to drop. A bit of polishing of the brass body and the inside of the alloy casting with nothing more than a bit of cotton T-shirt material made all the difference and it moved freely again. I suspect it was just some fuel mixture residue on the surfaces.
The previous owner had tried to compensate using the pilot screw setting which was a couple of turns too many out, which didn't really achieve anything.
Ran beautifully yesterday.
 
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