Problem rinsing out Honda 90

Mike B · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:59 am Post subject: Problem rinsing out Honda 90

I'm looking for an idea of what might be my problem with my 2008 Honda 90. I used my boat for a 4 hour cruise with no problems or signs of a problem. When I tried to rinse the engine out, fresh water seemed to be leaking from under the cowling where the stream of water comes out and leaking down through the bottom of the cowling where the fuel line and cables are. No water was coming out the little hole but did come out the exhaust and prop like normal. I lowered the engine, removed the fresh water hose and started the engine, A stream of salt water did come out of the little hole like normal until I raised the rpms slightly and the stream stopped completely. A day earlier I rinsed out the engine and all was normal. There is nothing blocking the intake from the outside.
If it sounds familiar I could use some ideas on what might be the problem.
Thanks.

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:45 am Post subject:

Use Salt Away or something similar in your rinse process? Put SALT AWAY in the search box and read to your hearts content! Thumbs Up

Charlie

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:42 am Post subject:

Mike is there any chance the line for the pee tube is disconnected, and allowing water to dump into the cowl? Water leaking from under the cowl, and from the area around the cables sounds like some more sleuthing is in order (soon).

Mike B · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:32 am Post subject:

That is what I thought first. but after I removed the fresh water hose, lowered the engine and started the engine, the salt water did come out of the hole like normal until I raised the rpms. Raising the rpms made the stream stop, idling the engine the stream was normal.
Thanks for the reply.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:37 am Post subject:

Aurelia · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:49 am Post subject:

I agree, that area should not have water coming out of it. Pop that cover off and watch the area while someone runs the motor at various RPMS (with flushing water connected of course)

Greg

Mike B · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:51 am Post subject:

I saw this late yesterday and could only take the main cowling off over the engine. when I turned the fresh water hose on it sounded like the water was coming from behind the hole . I have to move the boat to take anything else off to get a better look. I would have thought the hose came off except for the fact when I start the engine salt water did come out where it is supposed to. I will go back soon and get a better look in daylight.

Mike B · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:43 pm Post subject:

I fixed my problem today. That little hole where the water squirts from had a piece of debris stuck in it. I'm not sure what it was, it fell out and went into the water. but my guess is it slowed down the flow but didn't stop it completely. The pressure blew the hose off the fitting behind the cowling. When the engine was idling the hose sprayed water at the fitting and a small amount of water went through the fitting and had a normal looking stream from the outside. When the rpms went up or the fresh water hose was running there was enough pressure to move the hose and water run down the inside of the cowling (and not go out the hole) and out the bottom. It took longer to R&R the cowling than to fix the hose.
Thanks to you all for the input.

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:13 am Post subject: cooling water

Mike B..........

Glad you found the problem. Lucky it was minor.

My 200 hp Honda has a cooling water pressure gauge on the dash. It was "gunny-sacked" when I bought the boat but I replaced the gauge this summer and now it works great.
Reads 22 psi when cruising at 4000 rpms. Gives an additional indication of all is well when running. That is great when running through kelp and other trash.

Jack

Will-C · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:30 am Post subject: Problem rinsing out Honda 90

I don't know when the mud wasps (daubers) do their mud nesting thing. I have had these critters crawl up our pee stream outlet and lay mud filled with some type of larvae. On our Yamaha the pee stream actually goes through an aluminum block that also contains the gas line so the fuel is cooled by the pee stream running through the aluminum block for better fuel atomization I guess. Anyway I keep a short piece of rigging wire just in case it occurs. Some claim to use weed whacker nylon cord to push out unwanted foreign matter. When not running our boat I keep duct tape covering the hole to prevent insects from using our motor for extended stays or nurseries for their critter offspring to be born at a later date. I leave a note at the helm to remind me to remove the tape covering the hole. This might have happened in you case or not.
D.D.

potter water · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:47 am Post subject:

And hopefully, the first thing we all do upon starting the engine(s) is to go back or have someone verify good water from the pee hole. I also make a habit of checking that pee stream after every anchoring or beaching or docking.