I have a 2001 Honda 9.9 outboard motor (model BFP 9.9 1XHS) for my H260. Although its a wonderful motor, after a few days of not being used, its pretty difficult to start. I spoke to the Honda dealer before the second season and he advised me to pump the carburator fuel pump by turning the tiller throtle 4 or 5 times before trying to start the motor. Although this helped a bit it was still disappointing for a company who's lawnmower is gauranteed to start with only 1 pull. Last week I saw another 9.9 motor with a manual choke on it. Does anyone know what the deal is with these small Honda outboards and chokes - automatic, manual, some, all, none, ect... I check the owners manual, sales literature and Honda-marine web site and found nothing. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob Fliegel
- Status
2000 Honda 9.9
My 2000 model 9.9 has electric start, extra long shaft and manual choke. Is it possible that they changed to an automatic choke for the 2001 models? Hope this helps
My 2000 model 9.9 has electric start, extra long shaft and manual choke. Is it possible that they changed to an automatic choke for the 2001 models? Hope this helps
Stupid question:
do you pump the fuel line bulb and if so are you sure the one-way valve is working in it? Stupid question because we sail together. alan
do you pump the fuel line bulb and if so are you sure the one-way valve is working in it? Stupid question because we sail together. alan
Thanks Alan!
The bulb is pumped. The engine has fuel. I found from Honda today that manual start motors came with manual chokes and electric start motors came with automatic chokes. I am hoping that the answer may be a problem with the automatic choke. Next time we sail I'll let you do the pumping! Thanks
The bulb is pumped. The engine has fuel. I found from Honda today that manual start motors came with manual chokes and electric start motors came with automatic chokes. I am hoping that the answer may be a problem with the automatic choke. Next time we sail I'll let you do the pumping! Thanks
Honda 9.9 starting problems
Glad to hear I am not the only one going crazy with this motor. Seems that Honda switched to an automatic choke with some type of wax valve that opens up when the engine is warm. Might work nice in Florida, but not up north. I too was told the solution was to prime the bulb, put the motor in gear, pump the throttle three times, switch to neutral and hit the start button. Sometimes it works; sometimes it takes up to 20 hits of the starter. I've even tried doing the hokey pokey with these unusual instructions- same results! *yks Next spring I plan on returning it to a Honda Marine dealer that specializes in motors only. One told me he thought the problem was related to commissioning and the motor should have been run day one for like 6 hours at different rpm's. Did they do this with your boat? Has anyone else out there experienced this problem?
Glad to hear I am not the only one going crazy with this motor. Seems that Honda switched to an automatic choke with some type of wax valve that opens up when the engine is warm. Might work nice in Florida, but not up north. I too was told the solution was to prime the bulb, put the motor in gear, pump the throttle three times, switch to neutral and hit the start button. Sometimes it works; sometimes it takes up to 20 hits of the starter. I've even tried doing the hokey pokey with these unusual instructions- same results! *yks Next spring I plan on returning it to a Honda Marine dealer that specializes in motors only. One told me he thought the problem was related to commissioning and the motor should have been run day one for like 6 hours at different rpm's. Did they do this with your boat? Has anyone else out there experienced this problem?
Thanks Bob!
I bought my motor myself, not from the Hunter dealer and, therefore, I received no commissioning with the motor. I do feel better, though, knowing that I am not the only one with this problem. I will get my motor back in about a week and see if I can get a better understanding of how Honda's automatic choke works. In the meantime, it would be nice if we can get a few more posts so I can print them and send them to Honda's North American Sales Manager. Thanks Again!
I bought my motor myself, not from the Hunter dealer and, therefore, I received no commissioning with the motor. I do feel better, though, knowing that I am not the only one with this problem. I will get my motor back in about a week and see if I can get a better understanding of how Honda's automatic choke works. In the meantime, it would be nice if we can get a few more posts so I can print them and send them to Honda's North American Sales Manager. Thanks Again!
A little more info...
Bob, It seems that there was a shift to the automatic choke some time in the mid to late 90's. I just bought a 94 or 95 model (not sure yet) and it has a manual choke. I did notice, on sites selling Honda parts, that there is a conversion to the automatic choke. To convert to the automatic choke one must buy a new carburetor. Not sure if any of this helps or not, just wanted to pass along the info. The link below is one of the many parts supply pages I found. About half way down is the automatic choke and right below it is the required carburetor for the 9.9. Regards, Clayton s/v Walkabout
Bob, It seems that there was a shift to the automatic choke some time in the mid to late 90's. I just bought a 94 or 95 model (not sure yet) and it has a manual choke. I did notice, on sites selling Honda parts, that there is a conversion to the automatic choke. To convert to the automatic choke one must buy a new carburetor. Not sure if any of this helps or not, just wanted to pass along the info. The link below is one of the many parts supply pages I found. About half way down is the automatic choke and right below it is the required carburetor for the 9.9. Regards, Clayton s/v Walkabout
For A Quick Start
If you look at the workings of the throttle linkage while in nuteral the throttle can not open because of a throttle stop. If take a file or a die grinder and cut a small notch so the carb can open a little more the motor will start on 1st or 2nd pull. Romuald
If you look at the workings of the throttle linkage while in nuteral the throttle can not open because of a throttle stop. If take a file or a die grinder and cut a small notch so the carb can open a little more the motor will start on 1st or 2nd pull. Romuald
Thanks Clayton & Romuald!
I should be getting my motor back from the dealer tommorow at which time I will examine the workings of the carburator and linkage. I am beginning to wonder if the automatic choke needs to be "set" when the engine is cold. I'll find out tommorow. Thanks for the info.
I should be getting my motor back from the dealer tommorow at which time I will examine the workings of the carburator and linkage. I am beginning to wonder if the automatic choke needs to be "set" when the engine is cold. I'll find out tommorow. Thanks for the info.
Some more info
I bought my 95H23.5 in June'02. I assume the Honda 9.9 electric start with manual choke is also 1995. It was serviced by Honda as part of the purchase deal. It started and ran fine all the first season. The second season it was a bit harder to start and ran rough and stalled until it was well warmed up. I got advice and looked at other threads about carb cleaners etc, but in the end I got rid of the old gas from last season and filled the tank with freash gas. It's started and ran fine for the rest of the season. Coincidence? I would have thought that if the stale gas was the problem that it wouldn't run smoothly even when warm? I can say that it starts first or second time with the choke on. It might never start without the choke on, so an automatic choke that isn't working would have to make starting very difficult. I've also thought it strange and annoying that you can't rev it up even a little in neutral. When it was running rough and stalling I'd put it into gear while tied up to the dock just to get the revs up, and hope the lines held!
I bought my 95H23.5 in June'02. I assume the Honda 9.9 electric start with manual choke is also 1995. It was serviced by Honda as part of the purchase deal. It started and ran fine all the first season. The second season it was a bit harder to start and ran rough and stalled until it was well warmed up. I got advice and looked at other threads about carb cleaners etc, but in the end I got rid of the old gas from last season and filled the tank with freash gas. It's started and ran fine for the rest of the season. Coincidence? I would have thought that if the stale gas was the problem that it wouldn't run smoothly even when warm? I can say that it starts first or second time with the choke on. It might never start without the choke on, so an automatic choke that isn't working would have to make starting very difficult. I've also thought it strange and annoying that you can't rev it up even a little in neutral. When it was running rough and stalling I'd put it into gear while tied up to the dock just to get the revs up, and hope the lines held!
Honda Problem
Ric, had the same problem with my 95 15 HP manual choke Honda. The first year ran stale gas through the engine and it ran rough.Engine would stall whenever I put it in gear. Had to end up changing spark plugs and get carb readjusted.Readjusted it the same way you did with my lines hooked up and the engine in gear. Last winter, I ran stabilized gas through the engine at the end of the season disconnected the fuel line from the tank and let the engine run out of gas. Last summer,had no problems whatsoever with her starting up,idling, and changing gears from neutral. I think this spring I'll replace the sparkplugs just in case. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Ric, had the same problem with my 95 15 HP manual choke Honda. The first year ran stale gas through the engine and it ran rough.Engine would stall whenever I put it in gear. Had to end up changing spark plugs and get carb readjusted.Readjusted it the same way you did with my lines hooked up and the engine in gear. Last winter, I ran stabilized gas through the engine at the end of the season disconnected the fuel line from the tank and let the engine run out of gas. Last summer,had no problems whatsoever with her starting up,idling, and changing gears from neutral. I think this spring I'll replace the sparkplugs just in case. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
For a Quick Start
I had the same problem with my 8hp Honda and filed the linkage. Starts on the 1st or 2nd pull now.
Bob Kalisz Alrightie Then Frankfort, KY
I had the same problem with my 8hp Honda and filed the linkage. Starts on the 1st or 2nd pull now.
Bob Kalisz Alrightie Then Frankfort, KY- Status