Honda Valve Adjustment

M

MOOSE

Member
I was told by a friend last summer to be sure to adjust the valves on our twin Honda 40s, so I just checked the manual and, sure enough, they are recommended to be done every 200 hours or yearly. Do any of you have experience adjusting your own valves on a Honda? How difficult is it and would you recommend trying it yourself? I've got the full set of manuals for the engines, but my palms start sweating when I see more than a couple of parts per page. But I've got a mechanically inclined neighbor.
TX
Al
 
How much does it cost to have a Honda dealer do it? Some things aren't
worth messing with on a modern engine. Particularly on a boat if
it only has one engine. Unless you like doing it for fun, in which case,
what the heck. But, you don't sound like you are into messing with the
engine for the fun of it.

Mike
 
My main thing here is not so much the money involved in having a pro do it, but the hassle of getting the boat to them to work on. The Honda dealer on this side of the border is somewhat a jerk who I don't like to deal with if I don't have to. Across the river in Canada, there is a very professional Honda dealer, but it's somewhat of a hassle taking the boat over there for service, as in running the gauntlet of border security agents, etc., etc., etc.

So this is typical me. I look at the shop manuals for the Hondas and my palms start sweating when I see these exploded parts diagrams with more than three parts per page. Yesterday I said there was no way I'd attempt this myself. Well, then I went on the IBoats forum (a great site if you need help) and looked up Honda valve adjustment. And sure enough, someone had already asked a question about adjusting valves on a BF50 which I think is virtually the same engine as a BF40. And the guy that responded gave a step-by-step how-to-do-it procedure. With that in hand, I went back to my diagrams, identified the key parts (no, you don't really need to take everything apart!!!!!!) and now I'm sure I can do it. All I need is to buy a torque wrench. To quote from an old Pink Panther movie, "You can do it, monsieur!"
 
Actually Moose, the 35/40/45/50 are virtually identical except for tuning, and some other minor changes. The valve adjustment procedure should be the same although the clearance may be different. Let us know how it goes!

Charlie
 
Hey Moose (Al)-

Can you do the valve adjustment totally cold, or do you have to have the engine warm at some point to check the clearances hot?

Next question: can you start and get an outboard engine hot in Minnesota in the winter? Would you go into the Guiness Book of World Records if you did?

Good Luck however the procedure goes!

Joe.
 
Sea Wolf":5u2goscc said:
Hey Moose (Al)-
Next question: can you start and get an outboard engine hot in Minnesota in the winter? Would you go into the Guiness Book of World Records if you did?
Joe.
Click to expand...

Very funny, verry funny, my friend. I'll have you know my buddy and I once had to knock ice off an outboard with a ball-peen hammer after a three day blizzard in order to get out and lift a whitefish net! LOL

Actually, the directions I have said to do it on a cold engine, but I don't think they meant forty below. So I'm gonna wait until spring, barring a major warm-up!
Al
 
Just tryin' to keep you warm with a little laughter, Al. Be sure and keep those 'Lectric Lonjohns plugged in to the 220 volt outlet. Joe.
 
Hi All
My understanding is that the Hondo outboard is basically a car engine, if this is true then when was the last time anybody adjusted their values on their car at 200 hours. I don't get it. Is this maintance really needed?. My engine run greats. it's not broke and I have been around boats long enough to have learned a long time ago that sometimes if its not broke don't try to fix it.
 
Bill, Me too!!! 525 hours on my 40's and never an adjustment. I'm NOT what you would call a lucky guy either. Took my car in for timing belt replacement and they left a wrench in the belt cover. It ran fine before, now I have a different car.
 
Hey Moose,


Valve adjustment is really simple, especially on an outboards. It's right there standing up at mid chest level. It doesn't get any easier.

1) Make sure the engine is COLD.

2) Move the flywheel so that the T markers line up. Makes sure you turn it in the direction of the arrow on the flywheel.

3) Remove the valve cover checking that the gasket is in good condition. If it's cracked replace it.

4) Adjust the valve to the gap as prescribed in your manual and close it up.

It's hardly an hours work. Second time around it'll take you 30 minutes taking your time.

I used to do it on my BMW and motorcycles and it's really a simple job.

Good luck!
 
I don't have a BF40 or BF50, but I do have the BF90 and do the valve adjustments on it. It is very easy and only takes me about 45 minutes following the shop manual instructions. Have only had to slightly adust one valve once. Most of the time they are all spot on to spec and no adjusting is needed. All you need is a set of angled feeler gages, a torque wrench in the event you need to make an adjustment and of course the proper size socket wrenches.

On my Honda BF90 it is very easy to get to the valves and there is no gasket needing replacement!

I say go for it! :thup

Jim
 
bcarli":14ajqt48 said:
Hi All
My understanding is that the Hondo outboard is basically a car engine, if this is true then when was the last time anybody adjusted their values on their car at 200 hours. I don't get it. Is this maintance really needed?. My engine run greats. it's not broke and I have been around boats long enough to have learned a long time ago that sometimes if its not broke don't try to fix it.
Click to expand...

Bill, I agree with you somewhat, but I don't think it is imprudent to at least inspect the valves periodically and if they don't need adjustment, well then don't adjust them. When faced with an issue like this, I usually consult people that know more than I do (of which there are many) and then make my own decision. The inimitable Red Fox recommended following the Honda maintenance schedule as too tight valves could eventually burn them. And he knows engines.

I used to think changing lower unit oil annually was foolish as it is the same stuff you run in your car differential and never change it. But then I learned that an outboard runs at significantly higher rpms and is therefore subject to more wear. Conversely, I long ago quit fogging cylinders at the end of the season. At least where I live, cold storage is truly cold storage and, again upon consultation with others, no one much bothers with it. So I guess as Humphrey Bogart once said, "You pays your money, and you takes your choice".

I shall now attempt to post a link to the IBoats Forum advice on Honda valve adjustment. I've never done this before, so if it doesn't work.......
Valve Adjustment

Al
 
louis":wc2zb40d said:
Hey Moose,


Valve adjustment is really simple, especially on an outboards. It's right there standing up at mid chest level. It doesn't get any easier.
Click to expand...

Hey Louis, when I stand up behind my Honda's, my head is two feet under the water... :shock:

Oh wait, maybe you meant when the boat is OUT of the water... :oops:

Charlie
 
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