Any Honda Owner...

[finclipped]

I bought a new 10 horse 4 stroke last fall and this thing is cold blooded. It takes about 10 minutes to warm up, before I can take off without dieing. Is this normal for Honda's??? It runs like a champ once it is warmed up, but I have never seen another kicker that takes that long to warm up.

[RogueFishr]

that doesn't sound right. i have had 2 Honda's (8hp and 15hp) and neither are cold blooded. both start on the second pull every time cold, with the choke on. Then 60 seconds at half choke and then no choke at all. Maybe someone with some mechanical knowledge of Hondas can help here. Maybe try a warmer plug? Don't know if that would help or not. Talk to your dealer or local mechanic. Seems like there is a cold idle adjustment somewhere on the carb also. Check with a dealer.

RF

[ 01-07-2003, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: RogueFishr ]

[STRIKE ZONE]

I'm with RF on this I own two honda four stroke kickers my sled has a 7.5 hp and my campion has a 8hp both start on the second pull and our warmed up with in a couple minutes.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

[PayDay]

I have an 8 hp Honda kicker that's about 6 years old. It's a little cold blooded if it sits for awhile, but I usually think that's because of the gas sitting in the lines. I'm not real good about letting the fuel run out when it's going to be sitting. I guess I'm always thinking I'll get my boat out again sooner than I end up doing. If it's much time in between uses that may be a solution for you. Once it's going it runs great, idles down really well, quiet, and easy on gas. Also, watch for spider webs in the water outlet. I've had to pull off the line and clear it a few times when it's been clogged.
CT

[OldRedSled]

i have a 2001 5hp honda. It's a real ITCH to start but once it gets going its runs great. Little noisy though compared to the new merc kickers.

ORS

[Troller]

I purchased a 15hp honda electric start last year. It starts no problem I would doubt If I run the choke more than 20 seconds kick it in gear and were trollin. I would have it checked out . Is it still under warranty.

[garyk]

Our Honda 8hp 4stoke is a '99. Like BOE said, it takes a couple minutes to warm. A full two or three minutes can seem like an hour when you're in a hurry. As we're getting close to the location where we are going to need it, we typically fire it up 5 minutes ahead of time so that it's fully warmed when we switch over.

As another suggested, if under warranty I would take it to the dealer or a different mechanic to veryify the settings are correct.

I had a lot of trouble with the main Honda 90 setting's being out of whack.

[Thumper]

Thank goodness for Mercs!

[Trollin]

No problems with my 8 horse. You might have the thermostat checked sounds like it might be stuck open.

[BONES]

Finclipped,

I have a 2000 8 hp. and I had the same problem. I talked to a mechanic at Sportcraft and I was trying to start the thing without enough gas.

He suggested that I give it more throttle and tighten the dial at the end of handle to hold the throttle open more. Works like a champ. Starts on the second pull. Still have to nurse the choke in slowly depending on the outside and water temp.

Good luck!!

[lucky duck]

I have a late 1980,s 10 hp. Starts on one or two pulls and is a little cold but have had no other problems. Much like Bait-o-eggs.

I really like the motor but time for a long shaft. Not sure if I'll go Merc or stay with Honda.

I do have a honda lawn mower that is a cold son of a gun. Obviously a different type of motor but maybe it's just a Honda thing.

[kwik karl]

Old Red Sled:

I had a time starting my Honda until I figured out the trick. When the baby is in neutral twist the throttle towards the fast position as far as it will go then just pull the choke out and "blam" she starts right up. I was ready to toss mine overboard until I discovered this.

Kwik Karl

[fishnxtc]

Had aproblem with my 8 hp. Change the thermostat and no proplems what so ever. Talk with sportcraft and they will tell you to change thermostat. Honda come stock with a thermostat that is more for warm water.....Chris

[Plum Crazy]

I love my 8h Honda. mine takes 3 pulls everytime cold and one hot. I would call up Larry at sportscraft in O.C. I took mine in after another motor place screwed it up and Larry and his crew were great and explained everything while also fixing things without charge. My vote= get it looked at . not right for a Honda.
Fire

[finclipped]

Thanks for all of the input, I really appreciate it. It sounds like I need to take it in for a check up. Everything is under warranty, so I don't think I will pull out my wrenches just yet.

The first thing I thought of was the thermostat, but the dealer told me they were a little cold blooded, but mine must be ice. 1, 2 or even 4 minutes is reasonable, but I timed it at 10 minutes the other day. I will give Sportcraft a call and see if they can do the warranty work. Thanks again.

[Spoiled Daddy]

Like KnuckleDragger, I have a 2000 8 HP and it takes the same trick he uses to get it to start and warm up quickly. Mine takes 2-3 minutes to warm up and then it is good to go the rest of the day. :tongue:

SD

[BigWaterBigFish]

i have a 8hp four stroke, cold blooded and floods easy (have to admit, it's a rebuilt salvage motor). you might take a look at how you have your gas line running. if you have tapped into a main line (running to your big motor) you may have too many valve/line ***** and the engine is having to develop too much vaccum to run. I have had to unscrew the adjustment screw at the carb, drain. and then let sit for a bit before carefully trying to start again.
But once it's running, won't stop!

[Killertraylor]

I have the 4 stroke 15 horse and I had a problem similar to yours when the motor was brand new. It ran too rich and would die on me when I throttled up. I took it in for an adjustment of some sort and it has ran perfectly ever since.

[Bait O' Eggs]

My 10hp honda is kinda cold also. It starts first or second pull every time but it has to idle a couple minutes before I engage it or she will die.

Once warm, no problems.

[Fishplay]

Thermostat! Honda changed thermostats in 2002 to eliminate the cold blooded issue.