my kicker keeps dieing **UPDATE**

[freedrift]

it's an 8horse honda 4 stroke (classic model with the square cowling) and today while I was fishin, it would die at idle every time, very annoying. It ran fine as long as the rpm's were up. It is a new to me motor and this was the first time I had used it. The guy I bought it from didn't use it, it was on the boat when he bought it and all he did was anchor fished. It's only got about 20 hours on it, but I don't know when the last time it was used was. Could this be due to a dirty carb or something? One thing I did notice was that the bulb feels like it might need to get replaced because it didn't feel like it really came tight, maybe a pinhole in the bulb messing with the delivery. Is there some kind of cleaner I can run through this thing. It probably wouldn't hurt to have it serviced but I am hoping for a quick fix for now so I can use it and get it serviced when I have time. Another thing was that after a while the throttle was extrmely hard to turn when the motor was in reverse only. Any ideas on what might have cause that. :help: ANy help would be appreciated.



***update***
First of all, thanks to all that replied. The motor now purrs like a kitten. After changing the plugs, running some seafoam through it, it was still very hard to start and had all the same problems as before so I took the hood off and removed the fuel filter. Like I said before, I'm no mechanic but I'm pretty sure that sand is not supposed to be in the fuel filter. I bought a new filter and grabbed a repair manual while I was there. Installed the new filter, squeezed the bulb, pulled twice and it now runs like a champ. I did adjust the idle a little also, but I reasonably sure that it was the fuel filter all along. On the upside though, I did almost a complete serice on it in the process of figuring it out. Only thing left is to change the oil. Thanks again everyone. :yay: :yay: :dance:

[98ramtough]

My 99 4stroke Suzuki did the same thing. Bought the boat used, guy never used kicker. After cleaning the carb it works great now.

[freedrift]

did you run some kind of cleaner in it or did you take it apart and clean it? I'm not real mechanical, so something in a can would be nice.

[Starfish]

First thing I'd check is the oil dipstick. When I had an 8hp Honda it would "make oil" by running too rich, and when the oil volume got too high the motor wouldn't idle properly. If it shows high on the dipstick, change the oil and be sure to fill it a little on the low side so you'll have a little more run time before changes.

If it consistently makes oil, you'll want to take it to the shop for rejetting to run leaner, and installation of a hotter thermostat. Mine was cured completely by this.

Or... it could just be a carb that needs cleaning!

[little doc]

Some simple things to try.
1. Change spark plugs
2. Put fresh premium gas in the tank.

I had the same thing happen to mine a while back and found the combination of old gas and old plugs was enough to cause it to die at idle. It would idle fine initially, then start to sputter.

[freedrift]

thanks guys I'll give it a shot.

[fishingls]

Base on you comment regarding the bulb, if it were me,-I would replace the bulb and the connection to the engine. With age, the seal or O ring in the engine connection can go bad. This would also cause and idle problem.

[Dr Strangelove]

That sounds like a dead spark plug with the engine running on one cylinder. Try that first.

[freedrift]

I think I am going to change the oil, plugs, and I bought some Seafoam to run in the gas and see where that leaves me.

[KingFisher85]

how old is your gas tank? and gas line from the tank to the motor? I had a small pin hole crack in a gas line some place and my motor would blog out on me...Replaced the tank and the gas line and all good once again...
But do like others have said and change the oil, spark plugs, make sure there is a tall tail, dump some fresh gas in your tank and go!

[DK]

What fishingls said, check the conection to the motor (fuel line) could be sucking air

[aye fsh]

I have an '01 honda 15 that I had similar probs with. I monkeyed with the fuel mixture screw (ended up moving it like a quarter turn) and dramatically improved the low idle and difficult restart probs. Also check your spark plugs and clean / replace if needed.

[wwjetboater]

This happens to me about every year I just change the fule filter then im good for another year. Actualy I use this as a reminder to change the plugs and oil in the gear box as well.

[freedrift]

well, I changed the plugs and ran the motor for about 45 min with a mixture of seafoam and gas. Heavy on the seafoam. After playing around with it for a while, it almost seams like the idle needs to be adjusted. If you bring it up just above where the idle is set now, it will run forever. But when you drop it all the way down it dies right away. I know the fuel line isn't the problem now, because I bought a complete new fuel line and I'm running it off a small tank. Anybody tell me where the idle adjustment on a honda 8 horse is?

[My Limit]

Freedrift,

You should by the Seloc manuel for your motor and you will learn alot. It gives you step by step instructions on everything from maintaining your motor to rebuilding it.

I've got a Seloc manuel for every motor I've owned. (No Hondas)

I'm a decent garage mechanic on older outboards. I've learned by reading the books and doing it myself.

Questions

1. Does it run in the water at full throttle?

Generally a carb issue will allow you to run the motor at an idle and then it dies when you put it on the water and accelerate.

2. Have you changed all the fuel filters internal and external?

3. Do you have fresh gas?

4. Does it sound like it's idling to low? Maybe you need to adjust the throttle.

5. I assume this is one carb? If so, you can adjust the mixture. Look for a brass screw with a spring on the front of the carb off to the side of the throat. Start the motor with a hose attached and turn the screw clockwise until it starts to get seated or tighted slightly. Do not over tighted this screw or you will damage it. As soon as it gets tight you will be running very lean and most likely the rpms will go up and it will start to die. Start backing out the screw counter clockwise until it starts to sound better. Then keep going until it starts to sound like it's choking from too much oil. At that point turn the screw about a half turn clockwise and it should run fine. You may have to play with this until you get the right mixture. It's better to run too rich, than too lean.

If you are still having problems, by some Johnson/Evinrude Engine Tuner spray. Read the directions, it's self explanatory. If that does not work it may be time for a carb rebuild. It's not that hard on one carb if you buy the manuel I suggested.

Good Luck and keep me posted!

My Limit

[freedrift]

I updated the original post, but thanks to everyone it is working now!!!!