I recently had the cooling system on my 2000 Honda 8 four stroke plug up due to encrusted salt in the water jackets. Luckily, I spotted the problem before heading out. I don't use the motor much. (That is probably the cause of the problem) I usually go sailing every week, but recently I had to let the boat sit at the dock for several weeks. It is attached to my h26 and I only use it to get out of Marina Vallarta and back in. There doesn't seem to be any practical way to flush the motor out with fresh water after each use. Have any other Hondo, or other four stroke owners, had this problem when using the motor in salt water? How did you deal with it? David King "Molly"
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Alan Long
Hondas
The Hondas are wonderful motors, but from what I've been told they have a problem with corrosion control. I have a 2000 model 9.9 Honda and it came with a flushing kit that connects to the engine block. I find it more convenient to use the "earmuff" type flushing device that fits around the water pump intake at the base of the motor. I try to flush mine after each weekend of use in salt water. Its also a really good idea to replace the water pump impeller and thermostat from time to time according to my Honda outboard mechanic friend. The earmuff type flushers are available at just about any outboard motor dealer. Good Luck
The Hondas are wonderful motors, but from what I've been told they have a problem with corrosion control. I have a 2000 model 9.9 Honda and it came with a flushing kit that connects to the engine block. I find it more convenient to use the "earmuff" type flushing device that fits around the water pump intake at the base of the motor. I try to flush mine after each weekend of use in salt water. Its also a really good idea to replace the water pump impeller and thermostat from time to time according to my Honda outboard mechanic friend. The earmuff type flushers are available at just about any outboard motor dealer. Good Luck
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Bob Kalisz
Honda 8 hp: A Different Note
I have a 1998 Honda four stroke purchased in 2000. The motor runs quietly and pushes the 240 very well. My problem with it is that it is very difficult to start especially when it is cool and when it has not been used in a week or two. I put stable lite in the gas. After starting the engine, it will fire up easy for me the rest of the day. The boat was originally from Idaho. Has anyone else had this type of problem? Bob Alrightie Then
I have a 1998 Honda four stroke purchased in 2000. The motor runs quietly and pushes the 240 very well. My problem with it is that it is very difficult to start especially when it is cool and when it has not been used in a week or two. I put stable lite in the gas. After starting the engine, it will fire up easy for me the rest of the day. The boat was originally from Idaho. Has anyone else had this type of problem? Bob Alrightie Then
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Ron Mehringer
Bob
It is unusual for Honda's to not start easily. I have the 4 stroke outboard, a generator and snowblower, all from Honda. All start easily, no matter how long they've been sitting. Wish I could offer you advice as to the cause of your problem. Maybe the owner before you didn't stabalize his gas and you have varnish buildup? Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
It is unusual for Honda's to not start easily. I have the 4 stroke outboard, a generator and snowblower, all from Honda. All start easily, no matter how long they've been sitting. Wish I could offer you advice as to the cause of your problem. Maybe the owner before you didn't stabalize his gas and you have varnish buildup? Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
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Paul H
Honda Engine
Bob, we have a four stroke Honda 15HP. For the last few seasons, even after we ran stabilizer thru the engine, fogged her, and ran her dry, we still had problems at the start of the season. It seems we end up readjusting the carb and changing the spark plugs out. Thought I was doing something wrong or missing something. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Bob, we have a four stroke Honda 15HP. For the last few seasons, even after we ran stabilizer thru the engine, fogged her, and ran her dry, we still had problems at the start of the season. It seems we end up readjusting the carb and changing the spark plugs out. Thought I was doing something wrong or missing something. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Bob Kalisz
Honda 8 hp: A Different Note
Paul, In addition to draining the tank to hose, cleaning up or changing the plugs, spraying a little WD 40 into the chambers, I also drain the carbeurator by removing the screw on the bottom. I looked in the archives and there was a post concerning adjusting the "start" setting on the handle of the motor. I opened the hood and when I rotate the handle between start and shift I see very little movement of the linkages. Is there any advice on making this setting? When the engine does start and I push the choke in, the engine smooths out quickly and then starts usually on the first pull thereafter.
Paul, In addition to draining the tank to hose, cleaning up or changing the plugs, spraying a little WD 40 into the chambers, I also drain the carbeurator by removing the screw on the bottom. I looked in the archives and there was a post concerning adjusting the "start" setting on the handle of the motor. I opened the hood and when I rotate the handle between start and shift I see very little movement of the linkages. Is there any advice on making this setting? When the engine does start and I push the choke in, the engine smooths out quickly and then starts usually on the first pull thereafter.
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bruce
flushing a honda 8 four stroke
I have a 93 Honda 8HP four stroke. It has given me good service, but the flushing vent is on the bottom of the prop shaft. When I use to trailer my Hunter 23.5, I could easily flush the motor after every use, while it sat on the trailer. Now that I am keeping the boat in the water at the marina, it is impossible to attach the flushing device to the vent on the bottom of the motor unless I tilt the motor completely out of the water to a near horizontal position. Even then, one has to be an acrobat or contortionist to reach it. If someone has devised a method to flush this type motor conveniently, I would sure like to know about it. Cheers!
I have a 93 Honda 8HP four stroke. It has given me good service, but the flushing vent is on the bottom of the prop shaft. When I use to trailer my Hunter 23.5, I could easily flush the motor after every use, while it sat on the trailer. Now that I am keeping the boat in the water at the marina, it is impossible to attach the flushing device to the vent on the bottom of the motor unless I tilt the motor completely out of the water to a near horizontal position. Even then, one has to be an acrobat or contortionist to reach it. If someone has devised a method to flush this type motor conveniently, I would sure like to know about it. Cheers!
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Paul H
Additional Questions
Bob, If I run the engine until it runs out of fuel won't that empty the carburator? I'll try the tip about spraying the chambers with WD 40. Bruce, the guy who had my boat before us sailed in Florida. He had two of these hose adapters that went into the engine. Each one had a long wire attached to it so he would not lose it in the water. Yes, he had to reach over and fasten it to the engine shaft to flush. Seemed like a lot of work but he did it after every trip. From the shape the engine was in when we purchased the boat I would say it worked. PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Bob, If I run the engine until it runs out of fuel won't that empty the carburator? I'll try the tip about spraying the chambers with WD 40. Bruce, the guy who had my boat before us sailed in Florida. He had two of these hose adapters that went into the engine. Each one had a long wire attached to it so he would not lose it in the water. Yes, he had to reach over and fasten it to the engine shaft to flush. Seemed like a lot of work but he did it after every trip. From the shape the engine was in when we purchased the boat I would say it worked. PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Bob Kalisz
Additional Questions
Paul, I always use the kill switch to stop the engine and when I drain the carb at the end of the season I get a nice trickle of gas out of the bottom. I would like to sail Kentucky Lake. I would like to go from Ky Dam Village to Kenlake with a few stops at LBL. I guess I'm getting lazy. Once I get set up for the season, I have second thoughts about the multiple take downs and put ups. Lighthouse Landing seems like a nice home port. Bob Alrightie Then
Paul, I always use the kill switch to stop the engine and when I drain the carb at the end of the season I get a nice trickle of gas out of the bottom. I would like to sail Kentucky Lake. I would like to go from Ky Dam Village to Kenlake with a few stops at LBL. I guess I'm getting lazy. Once I get set up for the season, I have second thoughts about the multiple take downs and put ups. Lighthouse Landing seems like a nice home port. Bob Alrightie Then
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MildBill
Flush Adapter
Have a year 2000 8 hp on my H240; bought the flush adapter mentioned in owner's manual and added a brass quick disconnect for the garden hose. Keep boat on trailer so every time I pull it out, I pop the motor cover, screw adapter into the motor block, connect the hose and let it flush for 10 or more minutes while picking up/cleaning up other things. At least one of if not the best $15 bucks I've spent on my sometimes hole in the water. As a matter of convenience, I sail mostly on James River in brackish water up-river from Hampton Roads... supposedly about 40% salt now, so the flush is a regular part of my act. Don't see why you'd not be able to do the same thing in the water but certainly the lower portion of the unit would refill with whatever water was floating the boat. Take care of that by tilting it out of the water before flushing.
Have a year 2000 8 hp on my H240; bought the flush adapter mentioned in owner's manual and added a brass quick disconnect for the garden hose. Keep boat on trailer so every time I pull it out, I pop the motor cover, screw adapter into the motor block, connect the hose and let it flush for 10 or more minutes while picking up/cleaning up other things. At least one of if not the best $15 bucks I've spent on my sometimes hole in the water. As a matter of convenience, I sail mostly on James River in brackish water up-river from Hampton Roads... supposedly about 40% salt now, so the flush is a regular part of my act. Don't see why you'd not be able to do the same thing in the water but certainly the lower portion of the unit would refill with whatever water was floating the boat. Take care of that by tilting it out of the water before flushing.
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Paul H
Sailing Ky Lake
Bob, It's a great trip!!!. We did that trip last summer plus went even further toward Paris Landing.Had a great time. Weathered our first thunderstorm in the boat. If you'd like more info on sailing Ky Lake and LBL email me at phh51@aol.com Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Bob, It's a great trip!!!. We did that trip last summer plus went even further toward Paris Landing.Had a great time. Weathered our first thunderstorm in the boat. If you'd like more info on sailing Ky Lake and LBL email me at phh51@aol.com Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Michael Bell
Answer to Bob’s question
I did two modifications to the linkage on my 98 - 8 horse. One, as you mentioned was the throttle – it doesn’t allow you to throttle up the engine in neutral to make it start it easily. A ¼ round file will take care of that, filing a notch where the throttle plate hits the stopper. You’ll see where I mean when you open the throttle while in neutral. And it makes a world of difference in starting the cold Honda. The second adjustment I made (since you I have your attention) is the inability to throttle up very much while in reverse. When you come into the dock a little hot, it’s nice to be able to get some reverse thrust out of the motor. Here again, by putting the shifter in reverse and opening the throttle, you will see that the end of the stopper needs to be removed. One word of caution here, by opening the throttle in reverse, you are putting a lot of pressure on the mechanism the holds your motor down in place (the thing you have to unlatch to raise the motor). To much reverse throttle can cause the motor to pop up out of the water.
I did two modifications to the linkage on my 98 - 8 horse. One, as you mentioned was the throttle – it doesn’t allow you to throttle up the engine in neutral to make it start it easily. A ¼ round file will take care of that, filing a notch where the throttle plate hits the stopper. You’ll see where I mean when you open the throttle while in neutral. And it makes a world of difference in starting the cold Honda. The second adjustment I made (since you I have your attention) is the inability to throttle up very much while in reverse. When you come into the dock a little hot, it’s nice to be able to get some reverse thrust out of the motor. Here again, by putting the shifter in reverse and opening the throttle, you will see that the end of the stopper needs to be removed. One word of caution here, by opening the throttle in reverse, you are putting a lot of pressure on the mechanism the holds your motor down in place (the thing you have to unlatch to raise the motor). To much reverse throttle can cause the motor to pop up out of the water.
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Bob Kalisz
Linkage Modification: Honda 8
Michael, My son-in-law (he's the mechanical guy)and I looked at your suggestion on the linkage for easier starting and I will be trying it over the weekend. Hopefully I can get the engine in a trash can of water to see if it starts easier. Thanks for the help. Bob Kalisz Alrightie Then
Michael, My son-in-law (he's the mechanical guy)and I looked at your suggestion on the linkage for easier starting and I will be trying it over the weekend. Hopefully I can get the engine in a trash can of water to see if it starts easier. Thanks for the help. Bob Kalisz Alrightie Then
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Bob Kalisz
Linkage Modification: Honda 8
Michael, Thanks for the help adjusting the amount of gas the engine gets when in the start position. The firt start took three pulls and a day later the second start took two pulls. Bob Kalisz Alrightie Then
Michael, Thanks for the help adjusting the amount of gas the engine gets when in the start position. The firt start took three pulls and a day later the second start took two pulls. Bob Kalisz Alrightie Then
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Michael Bell
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