Honda O/B warm-start problems?

[garyk]

Has anyone experienced problems warm-start problems with their Honda 4-strokes? We've got a new '99 Honda 90 4-cycle that's left us dead in the water twice after it's been shut off for 30 minutes or so, (first time was in the Tillamook jaws on an out-going tide - an attention focusing experience it was.

We've had it into 2 shops and no one can figure the problem.

On the warm start, it's like the engine floods out.

After lots of time - an hour or more - it will start fine. Until then trying all the choke settings we've not been able to start it.

All feedback and reasonable suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Gone Fishin]

I know a good guide buddy of mine has a 90 Honda same year as yours, it's been very reliable and dependable for him without any problems. He even put a pump on it as well (prop also). Sounds like maybe you have a lemon ... I would hope not! After all that money spent. My advice: Talk to Mark (service manager) at Greg's Marine in Garibaldi, phone: (503)322-3643. He's a sharp cookie and really knows his stuff with outboards. Good luck!

[garyk]

Thank you Gone-Fishing.

Yes that "reliability" and clean-burn is the whole reason we forked out mucho denairo for that sucker.

Yeah, we gave Greg's the first shot at it. His mechanic Mark is a wizard at tuning carbs and 2-stroke's reed jets. But unfortunately they couldn't find the problem.

It's almost like we need an on-board mechanic, but I can hardly afford the boat and definitely can't afford to hire the mechanic as crew.

[Chaps]

I've got a '97 vintage Honda 90 and no problems. Mine has carbs, is yours fuel injected or carbs? You might try contacting the local Honda rep and get his input. Try Mike Connor email: mconnor@amerhonda.com

[pikeminnow]

i have a honda 90 outboard and i had the same problems when i first purchased it. everytime i intially started it after it was sitting for awhile it would not fire up quickly. the solution in my case was to push that choke bar way up. i thought i had it in the up position when i felt resistance but found that i could push hard and it would move an additional 1/2" and varoom...off and running. starts everytime now on the first crank cold or warm. might that be your problem too?

**oh ya, my little honda has to be treated just right to start too. i have to really twist the handle hard to get it to fire up.

[garyk]

Thanks pikeminnow. I know what you mean about needing to push the choke lever up against the stop. Our problem seems more like over-choking - as if the cylinders are flooding out. Why this would happen on a warm start is a mystery. I'm thinking that somehow I may have some kind of vapor-lock problem - but I don't know how to troubleshoot that.

The one thing I haven't tried is pulling the plugs to speed up drying out the cylinders/spark plugs. 'Course it's not a very convenient thing to do one a larger motor when the boat's pitching and thats why I haven't tried it.

Know what you mean about having to get the throttle grip just right on the Honda 8hp. Also had a flywheel spring problem with that one. What luck!