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What to look for in a non-running outboard?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/14/2013 : 19:04:52

I found a Honda 2 HP on CL yesterday. The guy says that he loaned it to a relative for "a month and a half" and now it doesn't work. He has no idea why and has even less of an idea of what it might take to get it running.

It's the lightest version of the Honda's so it's pretty much exactly what I've been looking for. It's a 2006 BZBK which has a throttle on the case, not on the tiller, and no clutch which I'm not sure how that works, but the manual seems to confirm this.

So, my concerns are what could have gone wrong to cause it to just stop running? He says there's oil in the sump and it will turn over, just not run. My guesses are clogged carburetor, fouled plug, broken plug lead? It's also possible it's been run w/o oil, in which case it could be a broken rod (which would still "turn over", but not run). I figure I can check to see if the piston is moving up & down if I take the plug out.

I'm willing to spend a bit of money having it overhauled if it seems to be in general good shape.

What should I look for other than what I've listed?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - delliottg on 08/14/2013 19:06:29

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2013 : 19:19:58

No clutch would indicate that it's always running and in gear (like my Merc 2.2)... if it's running it's in gear! Fun times!

With how much garbage that gets into the fuel systems of these things, I'd lay odds on the carb being fouled. Sure it could be spark, and that's a pretty easy thing to check. But cleaning the carb likely will get it running again.

I am very much interested in a LEHR outboard these days, I've been through 4 outboards in 3 years... some run great, some are always a struggle ... fuel always seems to be at the heart of the problems.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2013 : 20:50:24

Broken rod? Probably not... If you feel compression when you pull the cord, the piston and valves are all moving.

Let's start with the simple things:

- Is the kill-switch collar in place?

- Is the gas shut-off lever "on"?

- Is the spark plug wire firmly in place?

If all are "yes", it's probably the carb.

Disclaimer: My Honda 2 is newer, with a centrifugal clutch and the throttle on the tiller handle.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2013 : 21:45:17

Good list Dave, thanks!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2013 : 04:04:08

Another possibility but not sure if it applies to a 2hp, many of the higher hp motors are to be stored when layed down on a preferred side, otherwise the oil flows from the reservoir into I believe the cylinder(s). On the 9.9hp, one side of the casing and at a lower point are flats which are there to indicate that the outboard is to be layed down with the flats on the ground - Not layed down on the other side. If that is asme arrangement with the 2hp and it was layed down improperly, that could contribute to it not starting.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2013 : 05:16:30

Guess it's a moot point, he just sent email that it's sold.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2013 : 07:20:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 Broken rod? Probably not... If you feel compression when you pull the cord, the piston and valves are all moving.

Let's start with the simple things:

- Is the kill-switch collar in place?

- Is the gas shut-off lever "on"?

- Is the spark plug wire firmly in place?

If all are "yes", it's probably the carb.

Disclaimer: My Honda 2 is newer, with a centrifugal clutch and the throttle on the tiller handle.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

CLASSIC - But add 'Check it has fuel!'

On our last dinghy outing, the Suzuki 2.5hp 4stroke ran rough as we got near the shore. When we left back to the boat, it died halfway in moderate winds, hard pulling back to the boat!

Thought it was mucky fuel again, so just stowed it for the trip back home.

Last weekend, I started to take the carb apart and realized the tank was MT! Grrrrr

Paul

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2013 : 08:18:42

It's probably the carb. The carb on that Honda (I have the older BF2A version with the same carb) is very sensitive and needs to be run dry if the outboard won't be used for a couple of weeks. Luckily they make this easy to do by having a fuel shutoff between the carb and fuel tank.

Edited by - on

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