Honda 90 (carb) starting tips needed

Ken O · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:23 am Post subject:

Lots of good information here. Thanks a bunch! I will be back at the boat next week. I will experiment and report.

Moxieabs · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:43 pm Post subject:

The choke is an electric solenoid operated all or nothing choke. If you lift the fast idle/choke lever with the ignition on you will here the click of the solenoid at the last bit of lever travel. Backing off, the choke is released and the idle is held fast and controlled as you lower the lever you lower the idle. I find stuffing a key ring float under the lever gives a good speed to warm-up the engine while attending lines etc prior to leaving the dock/mooring, at least here in Maine. Be sure to remove the float or you will be unable to shift into gear(don't ask).

PaulNBriannaLynn · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:37 am Post subject:

2007 BF90 was fuel injected. You either don't have a carb, or you have a 2006 or prior engine which is a totally different design than the Vtec fuel injected engines from 2007 and later.

If it's carbed it has a lever to the right side of the throttle you need to raise when starting the engine. It should be normal for it to take a few rotations for it to fire when its cold. All the carbed honda 90s Ive run have acted like that. If it runs great once it finally starts, and starts right up once its warmed up.. the engines just cold blooded and I wouldn't mess with it.

Ken O · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:39 am Post subject:

It definitely has 4 carbs. I was given the wrong info on the year then... Thanks for the info.

thataway · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:54 pm Post subject:

drbridge · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:34 am Post subject:

On our 2004 carbed BF 90A with Binnacle control the choke was operated by pushing in on the ignition key. Push in while cranking for choke. Once it fires off, tap it a couple more times to keep it running until it is warm enough to run on it's own.

Ken O · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 8:29 pm Post subject:

Back at the boat...Solenoid works fine, primer bulb needed a couple of pumps to get solid. Now that I realize that the choke control at the helm is only yes/no and I can't play it like a manual choke, I have starting figured out. Thanks for all the help and "case closed."

Ken O · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 8:33 pm Post subject:

Back at the boat...Solenoid works fine, primer bulb needed a couple of pumps to get solid. Now that I realize that the choke control at the helm is only yes/no and I can't play it like a manual choke, I have starting figured out. Thanks for all the help and "case closed."

curioustraveler · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 6:14 pm Post subject:

snhstahl@gmail.com · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 8:18 pm Post subject:

Hey,
We just bought a 22 and when I went to start it the first time (boat and 90 honda 2005). I cranked it about 8 seconds, and nothing happened. I looked at the engine and immediately saw the problem. It actually had a CHOKE lever. I had no idea they had chokes as recently as 2005. Other boat has a 21st century yamaha. The 90 honda runs fine. Do you want it? A choke! That's funny. I'd rather be a smartass then a dumbass, but carburetors?

thataway · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 10:46 pm Post subject:

The 90 got carburetors the end of 2006. Most are 2007 on up models. Yes, they may have an electric (solenoid operated) or manual choke. Depends on rigging and Binnacle. Also the newer 90's had higher alternator output.