Honda 8 stalls

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bakes

.
Nov 16, 2011
15
Hunter H-240 Brainerd, MN
Our 2007 Honda 8 hp starts and runs fine for a few minutes but then starts running very rough and always eventually dies. It restarts and runs fine for a few minutes again. Helping with squeeze bulb pressure has no effect. I have read several very simular questions but have not come across a reasonable answer. I am considering the JustAsk mechanics. Has anybody out there already been through the process?
 
Jul 25, 2007
320
-Irwin -Citation 40 Wilmington, NC
Sounds like a sticky float valve in the carb. This is often caused by gummy deposits. Is this something that started after winter storage? it could be after sitting all winter things got gummed up. If you are using fuel with ethanol try switching to the ethanol free gas. Sounds like you will have to take the carb apart to clean it for now though.
 
Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
Simple fix,(don't adjust or take anything apart before you try my "snake-oil treatment).....start using Seafoam,(except NO substitutes), extra heavy dose the first time, let the engine run for a couple hours while it works it's magic, (just keep starting the engine if it dies), then keep adding it to fresh premium fuel from this day forward.

My list of believers is long and prestigious.....hopefully we'll be adding your name to the list also.

Don
 

bakes

.
Nov 16, 2011
15
Hunter H-240 Brainerd, MN
re: Honda

The time consistancy, the restarting and running immediately(under load and for several minutes), and the primer pump "effectlessness" seem to point to something other than filter or needle valve issues. I have read about others messing with the carb to no avail. There have been successes with a new carb but I am guessing that there is an easier and simpler solution. It really seems like someone is sucking up the answer and hiding it. I will also try iboat.
 
Jul 1, 2010
990
Catalina 350 Port Huron
If the carb has a bowl drain plug (my 4 stroke honda 8 did), try draining the crap fuel and dirt out of the carb.
 
Jan 10, 2011
345
Macgregor 25 675 Lake Lanier
Ethanol.....Clean the carb and fuel pump somehow. I have heard of Seafoam working. I find it easier to just pull the carb and fuel pump and clean them. Sometimes it(ethonol gunk) gets in the fuel pump which slows the flow which lets it run for a few and then runs out of enough fuel.
 
May 27, 2012
1,152
Oday 222 Beaver Lake, Arkansas
With few exceptions, I have almost always ended up pulling the carb apart and cleaning it thoroughly.

Lacking a partially plugged filter, my guess is a clogged fuel inlet or stuck/frozen float, and/or a partially clogged main jet. Carbs on small engines have incredibly small fuel passages in the idle circuit, some as small as a very thick hair. The smallest particles can clog them and an attempt at running strong solvents through the fuel may clog them further.

I have had good luck, in a pinch, just dropping the bowl and cleaning the main jet and float, needle and seat. But if you have to remove the carb to remove the bowl, you may as well do the whole job.
 
Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
Do yourself a favor. Change the fuel pump. Been there done that. Honda sells a rebuild kit.
 

bakes

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Nov 16, 2011
15
Hunter H-240 Brainerd, MN
Cooling system

Sorry that I did not do a little more research but it seems that the problem is caused by the cooling system and is likely just a worn impeller. Wow, an 8 horse with a heat sensor and an electronic shut down program! Will change the impeller and post a disposition. Thanks for the replies!
 
Dec 23, 2008
771
Catalina 22 Central Penna.
One I never heard of.

Motor would run till carb ran out of fuel, using bulb to keep it pressurized would keep it running.

Clean carb and fuel filter, no help

Replaced fuel lines and bulb, no help

Rebuilt fuel pump, helped by making engine run twice as long.

Problem; fuel pick hose in fuel tank separated from tank mounting unit, was sucking some air.
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
also try taking the gas cap off as if the vent is plugged it will cause a vacuum and prevent fuel flow after a while. Wait a few minutes and the vacuum goes away so it will restart.
It is so simple to check do it first.
 
May 27, 2012
1,152
Oday 222 Beaver Lake, Arkansas
Wow, an 8 horse with a heat sensor and an electronic shut down program! Will change the impeller and post a disposition. Thanks for the replies!
Does it have an actual ECU, or is the temp sensor simply grounding the ignition when it overheats? Curious if thats the actual cause, or something coincidental. Please do report back if that solves the problem.
 

bakes

.
Nov 16, 2011
15
Hunter H-240 Brainerd, MN
No more stalling!

New water pump impeller and no more stalling. The situation is in the Honda literature that the engine will run rough for twenty seconds and then stop. Restarting and reving the engine a little would bring in enough water to cool things down. The old impeller had only two vanes out of six(they were opposite each other) and it pumped enough to run the little stream out of the back of the engine. The stream could have gone away at times, unnoticed, but the flow was low enough to trigger the shutdown. It was an ongoing problem because back in Sept. 2011, I turned up the idle a little to prevent it from stalling. More water flows out the back now and it runs at sloowwww idle like it should.
 
Jul 18, 2009
274
marine clipper 21 ft santa ana Southern Lakes,Yukon
Re: No more stalling!

thanx for the info and update....
 
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