hard starting honda 90

[Larry H]

A question for Honda owners,

Does anyone have a parts breakdown for the Honda carbs?
Is there actually an accelerator pump in the carb?

When I was repairing 2 cycle outboards(Johnson-Evinrude), many customers thought that 'pumping' the throttle handle was pumping gas into the engine, like a carbureted automobile.

In fact, 2 cycle outboard carbs did not have an accelerator pump, so 'pumping' the throttle handle did nothing except put wear on the cables and parts.

The 2 cycle outboards required 'full choke' to start and if the choke plates did not fully close, the motors would not start if cold.

From this discussion, it seems that the carbureted Hondas also require the choke plates to be fully closed. I would start there to troubleshoot hard cold starting. With the front of the carb exposed, activate the choke from the helm and then tap or press on the choke plate to ensure that the plate is fully closed.

[C-batical]

Hi Larry,

Regarding the 2004 and newer Honda 40's with the fuel enrichment system there are no accelerator pumps on the carburetors. There is also no choke. It doesn't make sense, I agree, that without an accelerator pump, advancing the throttle should not work, but with these engines it does. Particlarly after you pump the gas bulb as hard as you can. I have been told this by a couple of Honda mechanics as well as other Honda 40 owners with the enrichment system. For some reason this procedure forces gas into the #1 carb. It works for me and I know it works for Mark/Not For Hire. If you would like a copy for the Honda carbureter schematic, I can post it it the Technical Photo Section.

Best regards,

[Larry H]

Rollie,

Thanks for that info.

Yes, please do post that schematic.

Thanks


Larry H

[C-batical]

Larry,

I tried to post but got the following error message. I have posted for 4 years with no problems, until now. I don't know what has changed and I am too tired to deal with it. I will deal with it later

Sorry .

Best regards,
Rollie


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[computer-rooter]

I have a ritual I go through starting my Honda 90 that seems to work well for all weather:

Drop the motor, drain the water separator, connect fuel line, pump the bulb.

pop the cowl, check the goodies, and give the bulb another shot.

Work the console and wheel a few times to make sure they're clear.

bring up the fast-start lever, and crank it. If it doesn't take off on the first or 2nd crank, give the bulb another pump and play with the fast start lever.

replace the cowl, stow gear and start electronics. Engine is settled in by now.

That's about as much drama as I have with it. I might choke it just enough to get the fuel flowing in really cold weather, but overall it's a happy little motor. Great Alaska rig. I just wish it had a higher output alternator.

But I carry a can of ether anyway, cuz if you suck water into the carbs while you're underway, getting it going again can be a very special experience.

[Sea Wolf]

Rollie-

I can't tell you why it won't allow you to post photos, but I had the same problem, and found a solution in changing browsers from Safari to Firefox.

You might try the posting mode in a different browser than you were using, like I switched above.

I don't know which browser you're using, but try using a different one and see what you get!

Good Luck!

Joe.

[breausaw]

[starcrafttom]

hey you guys are missing some thing here with the honda 90 or I missed reading it. the lever on the throttle is not a choke, its a high idle lever. It only increases the throttle and has nothing to do with the choke. there is a manual choke on the motor and a auto choke on key switch. You have to push in the key while you turn it key in order to engage the choke. I never use the choke on the motor its self only the auto choke when I start the motor. I also use about a 3rd to half on the HIGH IDLE lever to start and after the motor starts the rpms will come up and you can quickly lower the high idle throttle. honda 90 are cold blooded as are most carburetted motors. I hope this helps.

[MikeMac]

Wow, you learn something new every day. Thanks Thomas. I never knew there was a choke actuator on the control box. I always used the choke knob on the engine, and then had to dance between the helm and the engine after it started.

Mike

[starcrafttom]

Your welcome. Most folks dont know that. I have watched many folks start motors with the high idle thinking its a choke or running back and forth like you. I'm not a motor head but i like to know how its suppost to work. To many folks just do it "the dad did" and dont read the book that comes with the engine. Well dad may not have know what he was doing.

[Pat Anderson]

There is another thing, which runs against conventional wisdom, but is right there in black and white in my Johnson 40 manual. It says "To avoid...hard starting..DO NOT stop the engine by running it out of fuel." The recommendation is to use fuel stabilizer, and leave the system filled with stabilized gas. I have been doing this, and the hard starting (which a few of you witnessed at Everett on the Snohomish River cruise) has gone away. So maybe, if you have been running your carb'ed engines out of gas to avoid varnish build-up, that is contributing to the hard starting...

[Pandy Girl]

Honda 90 Hard starting, I have been doing like Thomas said Choke when starting then I bump the key in a few times to choke a little more then it is running then and pull the lever back to about 1200rpm then after a couple of min. it is ready to go. I did this with my old Honda 75 for several years it worked great. This does not bother me I have had fords carb. engines for years and some of the Old ones you had to work with the choke a little, to keep it running
Jim