Honda outboard engine hours

[longjohnsilver]

Looking at possibly buying a boat with a Honda 115hp, about 10 yrs old but engine hours unknown. Is there any way of plugging into the engine to find out exactly the hours run? I also assume Honda o/b's are pretty reliable, but have no personal experience of them, any comments?

 

[AllanG]

I have a Honda BF135, which is 6 years old, and which has been very reliable for the 2 years I've owned my boat. If I'm not mistaken, a Honda dealer can plug their diagnostic machine into the engine, which can show engine hours and any faults recorded.

 

[Stats007]

You can get a breakdown of usage of time vs rpm.

Is there any service history for the engine? As reliable as Hondas are it won't matter if the necessary maintenance hasn't been carried out.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks Allan and Stats, I'm told that the owner has serviced the engine for the last 5 years, so no records available. Although this may sound suspicious it's the same with my boats, I've carried out the servicing myself. But I'm also told , as Allan says, that the engine can be plugged in to provide the necessary data. That seem to be the obvious route to take.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[rbcoomer]

Looking at possibly buying a boat....

Oooh! New boat thread?

 

[longjohnsilver]

Oooh! New boat thread?

Sort of, but it will be going to Spain, and Eos staying where she is. Only something small and easily trailerable so not very exciting.

 

[rbcoomer]

Sort of, but it will be going to Spain, and Eos staying where she is. Only something small and easily trailerable so not very exciting.

They're all exciting...

 

[springer]

There are 2 versions of the Honda BF115 in service. Older throttle body injection engines or the more recent PGMFI variant which has individual injectors for each cylinder. The early models do not have the capacity to regurgitate engine data, the ECM, (brain), was not sophisticated enough. The early 115 was part of the original BF115 BF130 family of engines introduced in 1998 sold until approx. 2003 when the new BF135 BF150 range was introduced.

These engine have full data capability and can output engine hours run and a number of other parameters. Honda marine dealer with the kit is needed to get these. The 135 / 150 range was expanded subsequently with the BF115. You will therefore need to ID exactly which model 115 you are looking at. Honda reliability is generally very good but maintenance history is critical.

Hope this helps.

Springer