Honda BF90A fuel and hose question

johnbenj

Hello everyone --

I had my Honda BF90A engine tilted up for the last two weeks. When we put the boat into the water yesterday there was a very strong gas smell and when we removed the top cowl say gas pooled in the lower half of the engine cowl. Needless to say the cruise ended and I brought it home.

While parked last night I tilted the front of the trailer as high as possible and titled the engine down as much as possible and was able to get 90% of the gas/water out of the lower cowl via the holes where the exhaust can flow. I soaked up the remaining liquids and let the rest evaporate.

I put muffs on the water intake ports and ran the engine for 20 minutes and can't find any leaks or pooling gasoline.

Which leads me to my two questions:
1. Does anyone else have direct experience with leaving these 90's tilted leading to fuel leaking and pooling in the bottom of the cowling? is that the problem?

2. Are there any hoses, other than the water cooling hose, that connects to the Cooling System Indicator holes on the starboard side of the engine? I see two drain hoses in the engine compartment. One is connected to the #4 carb. The other hose passes by the #4 carb and connects to the bottom of the area covered in black plastic on the front-starboard side of the engine. Neither of the hoses are connected to anything on one end and they both are just hanging out in the bottom of the cowl. Are these hoses supposed to go somewhere?

Thanks in advance! I am new C-Dory owner and very excited to get the family out on the water!!

John Benjamin
Bainbridge Island, WA

Cornforth Images · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject: My 90

I have a new Honda 90. I had one problem with a bad fuel pump (long story that was my dad's fault), but other than that the engine has run fine for almost 300 hours this summer. I often let the boat sit for 2-3 weeks at a time with the engine tilted out of the water. I never had any fuel leaks. Sorry I can't be more help.

Bearbait · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

Could the fuel be coming out of the throat of one of the carbs while tilted up?

flapbreaker · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject:

I leave mine tilted up with no problems. The tube hanging off the carb is used for draining each carb at seasons end so fuel doesn't sit in there. They just leave it connected to one of them. You move it to each carb when turning the screw that drains them. Not sure where your fuel leak would be coming from.

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

Never had a problem like that. Always leave the motor up in the slip.

Mike

johnbenj · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:04 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies. I'll run it again tomorrow and double check for fuel leaks.

Flapbreaker: Thanks - Do you know what the other hose is connected to?

I've attached some pictures to help explain my question about the hoses. I'm trying to figure out if the drain hose for Carbs (connected to #4) and the other hose should just be laying loose on one end.

What is supposed to be connected on the other side of the two right-hand holes next to the Cooling System out port?

Am I supposed to have any of these hoses stuck in these ports?

Like this?

One hose is the drain house for the Carbs and is connected to the #4 carb. What is the other hose for? It connects to the bottom of the plastic housing just forward of the carbs. Its not very clear in this picture.

flapbreaker · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:50 am Post subject:

I went out this morning to take a look at my hoses. Mine seems a bit different than yours. First off the tube used to drain the carb bowls is haning off carb #1 (no big deal as you can put it on any of them). Secondly the hose that is coming from the front, on mine goes to a plastic tee. From the tee there's a short peice of tubing that is loose. I suspect I should put it in one of those plastic ports. Coming off the middle of the tee there's another pink tube that runs up behind the manifolds. I didn't have enough light or time to track where it goes. Maybe your missing this peice? Hope this helps. I'm going to take a closer look tonight.

cbull · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject:

The floats in the bowls of the carbs can get stuck sometimes when the engine is left tilted. The pressure from the primer ball can force fuel in and cause your problem. I had the same problem on a carb. yami. I just took the fuel line off when storing in the upright position.

johnbenj · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject: Oh! The Disappointment!!

After testing the engine twice during the last week and not finding any gas leaks, I trailered the 22' Cruiser to the ramp this morning. We took the cowl off before engine start and everything was still dry. About 3 seconds after starting the engine gas started to leak / spurt / pour from the "silver disc" on carb no.4. Oh No!!!

We tried a variety of things to fix the problem such as tapping gently to un-stick a float but every time we started we saw the same problem. We got the boat back on the trailer and brought it home. Put the muffs on at home and cranked up the motor... still have the gas leak.

I've reached the end of my technical skill for this problem so my next stop will be local Honda service shop to have them clean the carbs. Yuck, yuck!

I'm going to ask as a seperate thread, but if any one has recommendations for a W.Washington state Honda Marine service center convenient to Bainbridge Island, I would very much appreciate the referrals.

John S · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:15 am Post subject:

Wait.............

Don't haul it to the dealer yet!

Do visit your Honda dealer and buy some Honda Carb. Cleaner. I run twin Honda BF90's

There is a small hole in the side of each carb. insert the plastic extension tube that comes with the carb cleaner into this hole and spray. There are actually good instructions on the can if I remember right. I'm not with my boat right now or I'd take a photo and highlight the hole. Ask the Honda dealer who you buy it from to show you the hole.

Good Luck! It might be worth a try. I keep a can of this stuff on my boat at all times.

johnbenj · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:22 am Post subject:

Thanks JohnS. I have a can at the house already and will give it a try tomorrow. I've decided to test draining the bowl on #4, too, to see if that will help. I'll post the results tomorrow.

John S · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:20 am Post subject:

You'll have to use the extension tube that comes with it. Check it out, but I'm almost postiive there were good directions right on the can. Watch out because the spray will fly out everywhere and seems to be very caustic and nasty for your eyes. Good Luck!

johnbenj · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject:

John S :: could you help me with more specifics of where the carb cleaner should be directed on these carbs?

Thanks - John B