I have a new Honda 8hp OB on my 240 and used it for the first time this week at Dillon Colorado reservoir which is at 9000 feet. Had a great time, but the motor was very hard to start. Took about 35 or more pulls when it was cold. When warm, started on one or two. Surely this isn't normal. Was this problem due to the altitude? The manual mentions getting different jets for high altitude, but it doesn't say what problem it addresses. TIA
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
E
Edward Smith
Not enough info
Where did you purchase the OB? If you purchased it in Dillon or nearby, then you would not have to concern yourself with altitude problems. Did you use the choke? What is the ambient temperature? Did the OB flood? Do you have a sticking float? New motors occaissionally have bad parts. Is the needle valve adjusted properly? Don't take anything for granted. Beautiful Lake for sailing though.
Where did you purchase the OB? If you purchased it in Dillon or nearby, then you would not have to concern yourself with altitude problems. Did you use the choke? What is the ambient temperature? Did the OB flood? Do you have a sticking float? New motors occaissionally have bad parts. Is the needle valve adjusted properly? Don't take anything for granted. Beautiful Lake for sailing though.
K
Ken Shubert
Are you the Solar panel boat?
Is your H240 the one with the neat solar panel setup in the mast crutch mounting? I saw that last year at Dillon and thought it was ideal for a trailor sailor. Someone needs to take a photo or two and post them. About the OB .... I've been in that marina and you really can get by without a motor, believe it or not! I could bring my ol' Tohatsu out and sail with you. It's a terrible engine but always starts on the second pull. Ken S/V WouffHong
Is your H240 the one with the neat solar panel setup in the mast crutch mounting? I saw that last year at Dillon and thought it was ideal for a trailor sailor. Someone needs to take a photo or two and post them. About the OB .... I've been in that marina and you really can get by without a motor, believe it or not! I could bring my ol' Tohatsu out and sail with you. It's a terrible engine but always starts on the second pull. Ken S/V WouffHong
B
Bob Kalisz
Hard to Start
I purchased a used, 1998 Hunter 240 with an 8hp Honda four stroke and sail mainly on week ends. The first start on mine is the hardest. The last trip out after pumping the ball, I tried simply pulling the cord 3 times with the choke out with no intent to start it and then tried starting it. On the third pull it started. On previous occassions I have gone through the many pulls routine before it started. I use a gas stabilizer in the tank. Having started the engine, restarting it during the day and even the next day is much easier usually the first pull and a light one at that will start the engine. Bob Kalisz "Alrightie Then"
I purchased a used, 1998 Hunter 240 with an 8hp Honda four stroke and sail mainly on week ends. The first start on mine is the hardest. The last trip out after pumping the ball, I tried simply pulling the cord 3 times with the choke out with no intent to start it and then tried starting it. On the third pull it started. On previous occassions I have gone through the many pulls routine before it started. I use a gas stabilizer in the tank. Having started the engine, restarting it during the day and even the next day is much easier usually the first pull and a light one at that will start the engine. Bob Kalisz "Alrightie Then"
J
Jim Covey
Check the kill switch
I have a 9.9 Honda and found the safety tether clip on the kill switch didn't hold it out far enough. The motor would be hard to start and would sometimes die after starting. This is easy to check by pulling out on the switch slightly while starting. Good luck, Jim Covey
I have a 9.9 Honda and found the safety tether clip on the kill switch didn't hold it out far enough. The motor would be hard to start and would sometimes die after starting. This is easy to check by pulling out on the switch slightly while starting. Good luck, Jim Covey
J
Jeff Davis
more info
Thanks everyone for your updates. I bought this motor in the Denver area from a Honda dealer that was going out of the outboard business. They sell motorcycles. I bought it late last year, but this was my first opportunity to use it. I thought of the kill switch idea, and pulled it out farther, but that didn't seem to make a difference.
Thanks everyone for your updates. I bought this motor in the Denver area from a Honda dealer that was going out of the outboard business. They sell motorcycles. I bought it late last year, but this was my first opportunity to use it. I thought of the kill switch idea, and pulled it out farther, but that didn't seem to make a difference.
R
red coles
A few things
Hello Jeff: Sounds like a choke problem to me. I would check to make sure squeeze bulb is filling carbs, then choke operation. Good luck red
Hello Jeff: Sounds like a choke problem to me. I would check to make sure squeeze bulb is filling carbs, then choke operation. Good luck red
K
Kathy
Had same problem
We had the same problem last year with our brand new Honda 8 hp 4-stroke. Had a mechanic adjust the carburetor to the proper gas-air mix and it starts much better now. (Our mix was too rich) Also, the throttle has to be in the correct position to start. I was a little off the other day and it wouldn't start until I lined it up just right. Good luck
We had the same problem last year with our brand new Honda 8 hp 4-stroke. Had a mechanic adjust the carburetor to the proper gas-air mix and it starts much better now. (Our mix was too rich) Also, the throttle has to be in the correct position to start. I was a little off the other day and it wouldn't start until I lined it up just right. Good luck
J
Joe R
have the same motor
we're in the middle of our 4th season. It always starts on the 2nd pull (sometimes 1st) must use the choke on the 1st start of the day I changed the plugs for the 1st time this year. We use the boat 2 - 4 x/week from June thru Sept. less in April
we're in the middle of our 4th season. It always starts on the 2nd pull (sometimes 1st) must use the choke on the 1st start of the day I changed the plugs for the 1st time this year. We use the boat 2 - 4 x/week from June thru Sept. less in April
Altitude can definetly be the problem.
Jeff: Notice where you got these replies from, mostly flat-landers (no offense flat-landers). When you are dealing with a carb and altitude, it is much different than a fuel injected automobile. At 9000 ft. there is not a lot of O2 (oxygen). If you take this engine back to 5000 ft. I'd bet it will start as normal. That is what the dealer probably tuned it for, 5000 ft. Is the boat going to stay there for the entire season or are you towing it back and forth? Hondas usually start on one or two pulls!
Jeff: Notice where you got these replies from, mostly flat-landers (no offense flat-landers). When you are dealing with a carb and altitude, it is much different than a fuel injected automobile. At 9000 ft. there is not a lot of O2 (oxygen). If you take this engine back to 5000 ft. I'd bet it will start as normal. That is what the dealer probably tuned it for, 5000 ft. Is the boat going to stay there for the entire season or are you towing it back and forth? Hondas usually start on one or two pulls!
J
Jeff Davis
not sure where we will use it
Our normal lake in the Denver area doesn't allow any gas motors - electric only. So we will use the Honda only when we move to other locations which will probably usually be in one of our beautiful mountain lakes. I will have to see about having the carb adjusted for higher altitude - or learn to do it myself. I will try to get hold of a detailed manual which might show how to do it. The Honda web site isn't very helpful. (www.honda-marine.com)
Our normal lake in the Denver area doesn't allow any gas motors - electric only. So we will use the Honda only when we move to other locations which will probably usually be in one of our beautiful mountain lakes. I will have to see about having the carb adjusted for higher altitude - or learn to do it myself. I will try to get hold of a detailed manual which might show how to do it. The Honda web site isn't very helpful. (www.honda-marine.com)
B
BART FORD
motor prblems
I have a Nissan 5hp 4 stroke. Two years ago had a similar problem and felt like a real dummy when I took it in for service. The vent on the tank was screwed down tight and the tank couldn't send fuel down the hose. Maybe this willhelp.
I have a Nissan 5hp 4 stroke. Two years ago had a similar problem and felt like a real dummy when I took it in for service. The vent on the tank was screwed down tight and the tank couldn't send fuel down the hose. Maybe this willhelp.
L
Lee Schilling
Have rebuilt a 5 HP '85 Honda
Jeff: I purchased mine used, had start problems so I just rebuilt the motor. It starts 1st or 2nd pull EXCEPT if not TRULY in neutral. I had some contamination even with a new fuel tank and fuel so I added an additional in-line fuel filter (my Benz diesel has 3 fuel filters). It is quite easy to check the float bowl for fuel as there is a valve under the bowl with a drain hose to empty the chamber into a container! A new motor, take to the dealer. Last week a few boats down the dock they couldn't start the motor. He had contamination AND no suction from the fuel tank. The Honda is a Good Motor, mine's like new! Lee
Jeff: I purchased mine used, had start problems so I just rebuilt the motor. It starts 1st or 2nd pull EXCEPT if not TRULY in neutral. I had some contamination even with a new fuel tank and fuel so I added an additional in-line fuel filter (my Benz diesel has 3 fuel filters). It is quite easy to check the float bowl for fuel as there is a valve under the bowl with a drain hose to empty the chamber into a container! A new motor, take to the dealer. Last week a few boats down the dock they couldn't start the motor. He had contamination AND no suction from the fuel tank. The Honda is a Good Motor, mine's like new! Lee
- Status
- Not open for further replies.