2006 Honda 9.9 Leaking?

[robischd]

I have a 2006 Honda 9.9 that I purchased last fall. I started it up to do some spring maintenance and noticed a tiny amount of water spitting out of an empty threaded hole which appears to be on the thermostat housing? near the starter. A marine mechanic says he has never seen a leak there, and that I probably need a new housing.

Can't I just plug the hole using a plastic bolt into the unused threaded hole? What is this hole used for anyway? See picture at its center, the light gray plastic with hole, looks like a bubble on the inside of it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[BobM]

I just tracked down another photo of this outboard online thinking you were just missing a bolt, but when I found one it was exactly the same. If you don't have a manual you should get one, as perhaps it says something. I agree with plugging it with a bolt if it just the thermostat housing, but I'd recommend removing the housing to see what is going on. If the housing is corroding from the inside you may wish to replace it and just plug it as a temporary fix.

 

[Quoddy]

Broken Honda

We have a 9.9 2005.
I was working on it and saw some salt deposit at that hole. It turns out that it is for the flushing adapter made by Honda. I cleaned the deposits and ran the adapted in and out until it ran smoothly and seated fully. What ever the valve mechanism is inside it seemed to be opening and closing fully as the adapter worked. Then I ran the motor in a barrel and watched the adapter hole carefully. No evidence of any leak. This was not at high rpm. I will keep an eye on it.
Evidently the marine mechanic was not to knowledgeable if he didn’t recognize the flushing feature and suggested a broken housing needing full replacement.

 

[robischd]

Re: Broken Honda

Thank you for responding.

I should probably buy a repair manual for the engine, just so I know the main parts. I'm not that mechanical, but I try to do the simpler prevention maintenance.

Could you give me more information on the flush adapter, what is this cleaning out? Do you have a picture or a link where I can see what it looks like?

I see the threads where something was made to screw into it. Is there a one way seal that lets water in, but is suppose to stop it from flowing back out, and maybe that is my problem???

 

[Quoddy]

Flush

The adapter is for flushing the motor with fresh water, the non motor end fits a garden hose. It is described in the owner’s manual that comes with the motor. When you screw it in it must push open some kind of valve. Screwing it in and out with a little lubricant may clean the valve up a bit allowing it to seat. Anyone who sells Honda parts should have it.It works on more than one motor.

 

[robischd]

Re: Flush

Thanks so much Quoddy. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Skipper]

For flushing the cooling system, if you use the motor in salt water. Looks like you are on a lake. If fresh water lake, you don't need to flush the motor, except maybe during maintenence to check water flow.

The hole uses a checkball to prevent water escaping, while allowing water entry. Sometimes the ball gets corroded or fouled, and causes leaks. You can plug the hole with a machine screw with matching threads (I did), maybe even some locktite. Ask your mechanic for proper screw.

 

[robischd]

I've decided to buy the flush adapter and try to maybe flush the crud on the checkball, and then put in a screw with the right threads, (I have the adapter's threads) and block it off. Thanks all. This has been a great help to me.

 

[robischd]

I flushed the engine, but the corrosion must still be on the valve, it still spit a little gurgle when running, so I plugged it with a stainless steel bolt with an O-ring on it.