90 HP Honda troubles
 

I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The engine
ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine suddenly
died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it. I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at it,
but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact, one
mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never need
any work - well mine does!


Can someone offer some suggestions? If the mechanics can't fix this, I am on
my own.

Thanks!

I assume by nothing worked you mean that when you turned the key nothing
happened. Starter did not spin or anything.
I would start by checking the battery connections and make sure they are
clean and tight. Then move to the connections at the motor. Then check the
fuse on the motor.
Then check the solenoid connections.

If you mean that the starter spins but it won't fire. Verify that the kill
switch is making good contact.
Make sure all electrical contacts are clean and secure.
Check for fire at the plugs.
Verify you have good fuel flow and the bubble is pumped tight.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The
engine ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine
suddenly died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it. I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at
it, but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact,
one mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never
need any work - well mine does!


Can someone offer some suggestions? If the mechanics can't fix this, I am
on my own.

Thanks!

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:53:16 -0500, "Dan J.S." wrote:

I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The engine
ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine suddenly
died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it. I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at it,
but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact, one
mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never need
any work - well mine does!

That's not far from the truth. In fact, I have it on good authority
from somebody with no axe to grind, that he was told by the Honda Rep
that the reason Honda doesn't do a service school is because Honda's
never break.

I also heard from that same person that one marina actually went to a
Honda car dealership, borrowed a mechanic to help fix an outboard
because they couldn't get any factory help with the problem.

Having said that, Tony Thomas gave some good advice in a different
thread and I'll repost it here.

"You can do some diagnosis if you take an extra person to the lake w/
you to avoid buying parts as a trail and error.
First - remove the pickup from the tank and make sure the screen is
clean on the bottom of the pickup.
Second - remove the fuel filter and make sure it is good an clean.
Then go to the lake and run.
When the problem happens have the extra person check the fuel line
bubble to make sure it is not collapsed.
If it is - replace the fuel line bubble.
If not try pumping the bubble and see if the problem goes away. If so
then the fuel pump needs replacing.
If not - try engaging the choke and see if the engine picks up speed.
The choke is a fuel enricher and not an actual butterfly. If it picks
up you have a carb problem.
If not or boggs more then you probably have an intermittent ignition
problem from a stator or powerpack."

With the sudden shut down, I would suspect a clog somewhere in the
fuel line. It could be mechanical like a loose spark wire or similar.

Assuming you can't find a mechanic, it's all about fuel, air,
ignition. Anyone of those can cause the problem.

Give the yard mechanics some time to try and fix it - it's a four
stroke and thus pretty simple.

"tony thomas" wrote in message
news:UYnte.86563$xm3.30806@attbi_s21...
I assume by nothing worked you mean that when you turned the key nothing
happened. Starter did not spin or anything.
I would start by checking the battery connections and make sure they are
clean and tight. Then move to the connections at the motor. Then check
the fuse on the motor.
Then check the solenoid connections.

If you mean that the starter spins but it won't fire. Verify that the
kill switch is making good contact.
Make sure all electrical contacts are clean and secure.
Check for fire at the plugs.
Verify you have good fuel flow and the bubble is pumped tight.


Tony, yes it is spinning, nothing catches. I verified the kill switch but I
didnt check the plugs. When I pump the bubble, I hear this air suck like
noise, but there is no gas spilling into the water. Could that be something?
I am not sure I heard this before.

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:53:16 -0500, "Dan J.S." wrote:

I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The
engine
ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine suddenly
died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it. I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at
it,
but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact, one
mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never need
any work - well mine does!

That's not far from the truth. In fact, I have it on good authority
from somebody with no axe to grind, that he was told by the Honda Rep
that the reason Honda doesn't do a service school is because Honda's
never break.

I also heard from that same person that one marina actually went to a
Honda car dealership, borrowed a mechanic to help fix an outboard
because they couldn't get any factory help with the problem.

Having said that, Tony Thomas gave some good advice in a different
thread and I'll repost it here.

"You can do some diagnosis if you take an extra person to the lake w/
you to avoid buying parts as a trail and error.
First - remove the pickup from the tank and make sure the screen is
clean on the bottom of the pickup.
Second - remove the fuel filter and make sure it is good an clean.
Then go to the lake and run.
When the problem happens have the extra person check the fuel line
bubble to make sure it is not collapsed.
If it is - replace the fuel line bubble.
If not try pumping the bubble and see if the problem goes away. If so
then the fuel pump needs replacing.
If not - try engaging the choke and see if the engine picks up speed.
The choke is a fuel enricher and not an actual butterfly. If it picks
up you have a carb problem.
If not or boggs more then you probably have an intermittent ignition
problem from a stator or powerpack."

With the sudden shut down, I would suspect a clog somewhere in the
fuel line. It could be mechanical like a loose spark wire or similar.

Assuming you can't find a mechanic, it's all about fuel, air,
ignition. Anyone of those can cause the problem.

Give the yard mechanics some time to try and fix it - it's a four
stroke and thus pretty simple.

Thanks much for the reply. I will see what happens.

Sounds like the fuel line is not picking up fuel. You need to remove the
fuel pickup from the tank and make sure the screen on the bottom is clean.
Also verify your fuel filter is clean.
Next make sure the fuel line is connected good and tight. If there is an
air leak this would cause the problem.
Finally - you may need to swap the fuel line as the bubbles do go bad and
will not pump properly.
Check the plugs and see if they are wet. They should be wet if it is
ignition problem. If they are completely dry then there is no fuel.


--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"tony thomas" wrote in message
news:UYnte.86563$xm3.30806@attbi_s21...
I assume by nothing worked you mean that when you turned the key nothing
happened. Starter did not spin or anything.
I would start by checking the battery connections and make sure they are
clean and tight. Then move to the connections at the motor. Then check
the fuse on the motor.
Then check the solenoid connections.

If you mean that the starter spins but it won't fire. Verify that the
kill switch is making good contact.
Make sure all electrical contacts are clean and secure.
Check for fire at the plugs.
Verify you have good fuel flow and the bubble is pumped tight.


Tony, yes it is spinning, nothing catches. I verified the kill switch but
I didnt check the plugs. When I pump the bubble, I hear this air suck like
noise, but there is no gas spilling into the water. Could that be
something? I am not sure I heard this before.

"tony thomas" wrote in message
news:T9ote.86575$xm3.37130@attbi_s21...
Sounds like the fuel line is not picking up fuel. You need to remove the
fuel pickup from the tank and make sure the screen on the bottom is clean.
Also verify your fuel filter is clean.
Next make sure the fuel line is connected good and tight. If there is an
air leak this would cause the problem.
Finally - you may need to swap the fuel line as the bubbles do go bad and
will not pump properly.
Check the plugs and see if they are wet. They should be wet if it is
ignition problem. If they are completely dry then there is no fuel.


--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

Thanks Tony! I appreciate the suggestions.

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The
engine ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine
suddenly died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it. I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at
it, but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact,
one mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never
need any work - well mine does!


Can someone offer some suggestions? If the mechanics can't fix this, I am
on my own.

Thanks!



BTW Here is how I got towed back this weekend.

http://new.hyperx.com/gallery2/main....2_itemId=21522

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 22:06:16 -0500, "Dan J.S." wrote:


"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The
engine ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine
suddenly died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it. I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at
it, but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact,
one mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never
need any work - well mine does!


Can someone offer some suggestions? If the mechanics can't fix this, I am
on my own.

Thanks!



BTW Here is how I got towed back this weekend.

http://new.hyperx.com/gallery2/main....2_itemId=21522

Get rid of the Honda (there are plenty of dummies out there who love
them) and buy an E-tec. :)

Later,

Tom

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 22:06:16 -0500, "Dan J.S." wrote:


"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I took my bennington 21 footer out on the lake on Saturday. The Honda
started harder than usual, but I got it going after 7 or 8 tries. The
engine ran smooth, took it about 1/4 miles at 3000 rpm and the engine
suddenly died. Almost like someone turned it off.

I tried to turn it on, nothing worked. I was towed back to my dock, and
poked around. The engine is a 2000 year model with only 134 hours on it.
I
bought it with 97 hours and was told the fuels filter was changed.

Can someone tell me what this may be? The marina mechanics will look at
it, but they specialize in Evenrudes and Johnsons. As a matter of fact,
one mechanic even said that no one wants to do Hondas because they never
need any work - well mine does!


Can someone offer some suggestions? If the mechanics can't fix this, I
am
on my own.

Thanks!



BTW Here is how I got towed back this weekend.

http://new.hyperx.com/gallery2/main....2_itemId=21522

Get rid of the Honda (there are plenty of dummies out there who love
them) and buy an E-tec. :)

Later,

Tom

Tom, the engine has only 134 hours on it... thats like getting rid of a new
car... i got to get that sucker working...