2003 Honda 8 hp won’t start

[kmckoy]

I was given a 2003 Honda 8 hp that won’t start. The engine ran last summer but won’t start now. I am getting spark and I have tried putting fresh gas directly into the plugs and pulling but I don’t get any signs of it wanting to fire. The pull cord feels like there’s not enough resistance to me, but I haven’t been able to check the compression yet (my compression tester doesn’t have the right fitting to screw into the plug threads). I have read some posts that are making me think it could be out of time causing the lack of compression? Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[MattFL]

If it was running when it was put away last year but won't run now, then 98% chance it's a dirty carburetor issue. 99% chance if it had ethanol gas in it.

 

[kmckoy]

My brother went through the carburetor and cleaned it and I also tried putting fuel directly in the spark plugs and the engine never even tried to fire

 

[MattFL]

What happened to it between the last time it ran and now?

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

If it was running when it was put away last year but won't run now, then 98% chance it's a dirty carburetor issue. 99% chance if it had ethanol gas in it.

I agree with this post. You say spark is good, does that mean you tested with an adjustable spark tester-- spark jumps 7/16"? I agree, test compression and when that checks out rebuild the carb again. You talked about timing. I always check timing on my engines to eliminate it as a source of problems but I've never had to adjust the timing. Just my experience, timing doesn't generally change. I like to check it on a boat that's new to me but if it was running good when you put it away I highly doubt that has changed

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

One more thought, take a sample from your gas tank in a clear glass jar and see if you got water in your tank. Easy thing to eliminate as a problem and would cause the symptoms your describing

 

[MattFL]

Also just adding gas to the cylinder isn't necessarily a way to get fire. Spraying starting fluid in the carburetor (open full throttle when you spray) is much more likely to get a result.

 

[kmckoy]

I have been busy with work all week but I will try to do some more things on it this weekend if I can

 

[kmckoy]

I had an hour to try to get it started again I sprayed starter fluid in the carb and got a really weak “puff”. I haven’t been able to test compression yet as my compression tester won’t thread into this engine and I don’t want to spend $50 for a new one with the fittings I need.
I forgot to mention that the engine was submerged in water (not running) my brother then removed the water and ran the engine all last summer before he put it away for the winter. He tried starting it this spring and it would not start. He then cleaned the carburetor and it still didn’t start. That is how I got the engine.

 

[MattFL]

If it was run a lot after it was recovered then that most likely dried it out. Was it submerged in salt or fresh? Check Amazon and eBay, you can probably get a compression tester a lot less expensive than you think. Also check your local auto stores, some loan tools cheap or at no cost.

 

[kmckoy]

It was fresh water and yes it was run a lot after. At first I assumed it was an electrical/ignition issue but I have spark so I don’t think that’s the issue. Are there some electrical connections other than the electrical plugs for the wiring harness and the plug wires that could be corroded that I should look at? I ordered one of Amazon should be here next week.

 

[frustratedboater]

I agree with the above, "CARB".. Also, along with cleaning ALL jets and passageways with compressed air, check your valve lash to be sure that you have adequate clearance for proper compression.

 

[kmckoy]

I got a new compression tester that fits this engine and tested the compression and it has none, zero psi. I thought it pulled way too easy but now what do I do? Take off the pull starter and flywheel to check timing? Pull the head and check the gasket? Both cylinders have zero compression which makes me think it is not the head gasket but the timing. How do I set the timing on a 2003 8hp Honda?

 

[kmckoy]

I removed the flywheel and timing belt then reinstalled the everything making sure everything was set right for timing and I still have no compression. I did notice the bolt that holds the timing belt driven pulley does not seem to tighten down? The manual stated to torque it to 12 ft/lb, but it tightens about hand tight then it “jumps” and releases the pressure. Is this normal?

My next guess is that the valves are stuck open? It’s really starting to seem like I won’t get this one running.

 

[kmckoy]

Frustratedboater how do I check valve lash?

 

[kmckoy]

I have looked for videos to see how to change a timing belt for my engine but none are my vintage. I have no timing marks on the engine ie. No T or an -> just a small line I think is the timing mark. I also only have a small divet and a 2 on the camshaft pulley I set everything up on the divet, not the 2 . Is this normal to not have a timing T or arrow on the block?

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

Was the belt broken? I hope so for your sake. Try a new belt. No compression could also come from a broken can shaft or a warped or cracked head or block. Was the outboard hot when it was submerged?

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

Forgot to post the documents. Always pot the documents

 

[kmckoy]

Captain the belt was not broken, the outboard was not hot when submerged. Thanks for posting the documents, those are the same ones that I have been using to try to get the timing set correctly. I am going to pull the cover off and manually rotate the flywheel to watch the valves and see if they are opening and closing. This should show me if I have bent/stuck valves or a broken camshaft if I do not see any movement of the valves.

 

[kmckoy]

I think I figured out the problem the camshaft pulley is not spinning the camshaft. The timing belt will spin, but the valves do nothing. I can get the camshaft to spin off the bolt that mounts the pulley to the camshaft, but not with the timing belt. I looked for the camshaft pulley for this engine but they are unavailable, can they be fixed?