Honda Engines

[Will-C]

Hello,
I have been holding out for the new 40hp Honda EFI motors for a new or used 22' Cruiser which just became available so they say in July. According to some the New Honda EFI motors offer little benefit other than some what lighter and a better (higher output) alternator. The sales info about the 20 percent better fuel consumption is also reported to be just bunk. Is the warranty any better on a new Honda motor 07 or 08 compared to some of the 05 and 06 motors laying around? The Honda website indicates a 5 year warranty on the new motors. Some also have said the Honda's seem to corrode faster in saltwalter than other brands. Is this true even with regular flushes? Has the corrosion resistance been addressed on the new motors? If these new EFI motors are all hype I certainly don't want to by one. Are the new 40 and 50Hp EFI Honda motors even available yet?
D.D.

 

[westward]

I don't have any personal experience with the newer Honda EFI 40/50 so can't say. The old ones (which I run) are very robustly built and have an excellent service record. The only disadvantages I have personally experienced are: 1. lack of alternator output, and 2. not very easy to flush with the boat moored in the water. People tend to favor the products they've personally decided to purchase and I would put differential corrosion observations in that category. Honda marine engines have an outstanding record for reliability, longevity and economy. Best, Mike.

 

[thataway]

You certainly don't want to leave a Honda (or any other outboard) with the leg in the salt water full time. My impression is that Hondas even as new as 2003 still are subject to corrosion. If you are to flush them internally, and then raise the leg, washing the lower unit the engine should last well.

 

[Wefings]

EFI is not hype . Its the pinnacle of modern internal combustion engineering . Honda writes a very good program for their motors . Is it necessary ? No . The older carb ones have been around for years and working well if you are tuned in to caring for them . Yamaha has had the best corrosion resistance since the early 90s . You can walk away from their motors and they will look good and start long after you are in the shop with brand H.Their Carb motors will sit somewhat longer and start better than Hondas will in our area . Results may vary by climate .But they are all good , and remember what you can get serviced easily when necessary is the best for you .
Marc

 

[Les Lampman]

Hello,
I have been holding out for the new 40hp Honda EFI motors for a new or used 22' Cruiser which just became available so they say in July. According to some the New Honda EFI motors offer little benefit other than some what lighter and a better (higher output) alternator. The sales info about the 20 percent better fuel consumption is also reported to be just bunk. Is the warranty any better on a new Honda motor 07 or 08 compared to some of the 05 and 06 motors laying around? The Honda website indicates a 5 year warranty on the new motors. Some also have said the Honda's seem to corrode faster in saltwalter than other brands. Is this true even with regular flushes? Has the corrosion resistance been addressed on the new motors? If these new EFI motors are all hype I certainly don't want to by one. Are the new 40 and 50Hp EFI Honda motors even available yet?
D.D.

Hi Dave,

What benefits were you looking for in the new EFI engine as opposed to the carbureted engines?

The new engines are heavier (by 10 pounds) not lighter.

The 20% fuel savings may or may not exist; the orginal BF40/50 uses so little fuel (as do other 4-strokes of this size) that I'd challenge anyone without some darn sensitive test equipment to observe the differences. In other words, if a 4-stroke 40 is running along using 1 gph it's going to be darn tough to see a 20% change. For the average user that's a savings of maybe 25 to 30 gallons over the whole year. Running into wave action, or wind, or carrying more weight will have more effect than the 20% reduction in fuel burn. And, as always, YMMV. These tests are always best case scenarios regardless of the company hyping it.

The warranty (5 years) is the same on all newly sold Honda outboards so it matters not if it's an '06 or an '08.

I have a lot of 20+ year old Honda outboards in our area that are routinely serviced here; I don't find that corrosion is a problem even in these old motors. This could be a really regional thing and it could be how the motors are taken care of but I know from the outward appearance of many that they're not receiving special care.

Only you can decide whether of not the EFI is "hype". Certainly the orginal "A" model BF40/50s work well; they've been out there about 15 years and are well proven. They have small alternators and with the formulations of gasoline available today it's more important than ever to make sure fuel does not sit in the carbs (easy since the engine has a disconnectable fuel hose). The new EFI engine has a much alternator and with EFI engine starts are all but instantaneous and fuel isn't as much a concern (except for long term storage).

If you need that latest & greatest then grab the EFI "D" model (it only went up in price $384 at msrp for '09 though you maybe able to find "deals" on the "A" models); if you're happy finding a deal on existing technology (and don't need the extra amps) the BF40/50A is still a great choice.

I like almost all the 4-strokes on the market and I think they're all great engines; the advantage the Honda has on the CD22 hull is still having the lowest weight.

The engines are in the warehouses; Honda doesn't put engines on the market until they've actually stocked them first. That doesn't mean they don't run low but they are not "vaporware".

 

[patrick and linda]

last week i had received my sept's issue of trailer boats and on page 13 there is and advertisement for both the honda bf40's and bf50's. article states call 1-800-426-7701 for further details.
backed by the true 5 warranty, what ever that is!
any one having pricing on the little puppies, i would be interest in knowing how cheap they are.
pat