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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

outboard problem

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/29/2002 : 02:25:35

Month or so ago I had problems with my older Honda OB not running. This group suggested a clogged carb. With more than a little effort I pulled the motor off the boat without dropping it into the Sound and took it home to clean out the carb. Good news is the OB ran great after I cleaned it all out. Bad news is the cooling system.
The engine runs well, but after it heats up the cooling indicator stream changes from water to steam. My thinking is that a stream of water indicates a good impeller and no blockage in the plumbing, but then it heats up and the water flow somehow gets restricted enough to cause it to steam out. I'm hoping one of you wise and weathered captains out there can tell me how to solve this problem...

Doug - #1913 Noeta

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2002 : 08:56:10

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Month or so ago I had problems with my older Honda OB not running. This group suggested a clogged carb. With more than a little effort I pulled the motor off the boat without dropping it into the Sound and took it home to clean out the carb. Good news is the OB ran great after I cleaned it all out. Bad news is the cooling system.
The engine runs well, but after it heats up the cooling indicator stream changes from water to steam. My thinking is that a stream of water indicates a good impeller and no blockage in the plumbing, but then it heats up and the water flow somehow gets restricted enough to cause it to steam out. I'm hoping one of you wise and weathered captains out there can tell me how to solve this problem...

Doug - #1913 Noeta
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Doug,
First thought is that a thermostat might malfunction after warm up blocking the flow of water. I don't run a Honda but most outboard thermostats are easily exposed. I'm assuming that you've inspected the water entrance port5s for blockage.
Val on "CALISTA" #3936
'83 C-25 Tall Wing
Patchogue, N.Y.

Val Bisagni

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2002 : 09:08:45

Doug,

Val has good advice on the thermostat. If that doesn't work, I believe there are some flushing fluids that can help remove deposits in the cooling system. Might be worth a try. I think you put the fluid in a large bucket that can hold the outdrive up to the water intake. Run the engine and recycle the water stream into the bucket.

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2002 : 09:36:04

First off, I do not own a Honda, but assuming that your water pump(impeller and water pump housing) are functioning, I would check to make sure that there is no blockage in the cooling system. Although a blockage doesn't seem likely since a stream is produced when the engine is cold. As mentioned before, the thermostat could be malfunctioning, but, and please correct me if I am wrong, it is my understanding that if the thermostat fails and does not open/close when the motor gets hot, then the motor will constantly be fed cool water without regulation. Next, I would check the head gaskets since the motor functions normally until it heats up. When the motor heats up, metals expand and contract, and if a head gasket on your "older" outboard is bad, it could cause a problem such as yours. Since the original problem was the motor "not running", I would give the motor a thorough going over.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2002 : 11:59:41

I just had my honda apart for a similar problem. I had almost no water flow from the overboard tube. I pulled of the L/H cover that contains the thermostat. The thermostat and adjacent water passages were pluged up with salt and corrosion the thermostat was stuck and Full of the same. I cleaned it all out and replaced the thermostat and that did the trick.

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2002 : 18:14:31

As always- you guys were dead on. I replaced the thermostat and flushed it with Salt away. Ran like a top, and once I fixed the water leaks it's ready to go. I'm a little less than happy with the Honda experience on the dealer end though. I had problems buying the gaskets I needed. Ended up going to three different dealers in three different cities to get what I needed, and the price varied by as much as 100% between the dealers. It is clear Honda is very protective of dealer areas. That also might explain why there are no Honda engine flushers or other parts at West Marine or Boater's World. On the other hand, there are plenty of close places for me to get Yamaha parts. I've owned both a Yamaha and Honda OB. Loved them both. But the whole dealer thing is enough to tip the balance in Yamaha's favor.

Doug - #1913 Noeta

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2002 : 18:44:26

Can't argue that, Doug... Yamaha's huge 2-cycle market gives them more, larger dealerships. Just make sure they don't mix oil in your gas!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2002 : 15:15:45

Just wanted to post a reply about the Honda flush remark. The new Hondas come with a flush system built in. Oddly enough it came out a little while after I built one and posted it in the tech section. It can be seen there near the bottom under Wind Lass. The flush kit attaches to a hose pipe via a fitting on the head of the engine. The engine can be run and flushed on the boat on shore or in the water. I would be glad to help anyone who want to make one. I used a couple of rain bird lawn watering fittings and some rubber tube. I think I spent about 12 dollars total. I dont know how to post the link to Tech section sorry.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 09:29:36

Older Honda's are very susceptable to internal salt water corrosion within the head making flushing very important.

This problem gave Yamaha a great leap ahead for outboards in salt water environment.

Honda claims to have prevented the problem in newer models...wish I could give the years.... but then again, maybe its better that we all feel vulnerable to corrosion and flush after salt water use.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 13:41:38

My Honda is a 99 and it pluged up. They prevented it by putting a flush attachment on the power head on the new engines.

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Steve
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 14:48:03

Doug,

You mentioned Salt Away? Is this a flushing solution, and where can I get some? I've got a similar problem with my 97 Nissan. I know the water pump is working, but occasionally the outlet hole gets plugged and water stops coming out. Something is stopping it up near the outlet hole, because I can stick a paper clip up there and unclog it. I've tried blowing it out with my airgun, but no luck. It's been in salt, or brackish water, since it was new.

Thanks,
Steve

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n/a
deleted

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2002 : 16:30:54

Sometimes, depending on how frequently you use the outboard, spiders will nest in the water relief port. A little wire will cure the problem. Sometimes, however, it is pieces of neoprene from the impeller; if so, you have a bigger problem.

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2002 : 00:57:35

Salt A Way- Picked it up at my local shop, but I assume West Marine and everyone else has it. It's a concentrate that dissolves rust. Seemed to work fairly good. It comes with a hose attachement so you can flush the motor with it. Now I just need to install the hose attachment to the motor.

Doug - #1913 Noeta

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acierno
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2002 : 08:04:17

douglass--do you know what year they installed the flusher on the power head? I have a 2000 honda 9.9 4 stroke (no manual) and i also have had a problem getting a flush fitting. will check out your tech section link.
ron

ron
'mia alessandra'
250wk, hull 463

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Shelby
Navigator

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USA
155 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2002 : 13:49:37

Ron,

I have the 2002 honda 9.9 and it does have the flusher. I guess you probably knew that though.

Shelby on "Third S" '82 C25 #3208 SKSR
Lake Pleasant, AZ

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2002 : 18:41:08

FWIW,

My '93 Johnson, used in salt water only and never flushed, began to loose water flow. I put the boat away and pumped some white vinegar into the water jacket. Left it set overnight and when I ran it the next morning it was like new. Now I flush it occasionally, like not yet this year, but will as soon as I get in my regular slip.
Val on "CALISTA" #3936

Val Bisagni

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n/a
deleted

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 08:32:19

Darn fine idea Val. It works for coffe makers, so why not on outboards!

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 12:47:34

pumped some white vinegar into the water jacket. Left it set overnight and when I ran it the next morning it was like new

Val:

How did you do this? Did you run the engine in a large bucket in order to get the vinegar in there?

Sounds like a great idea.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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