Cannot Identify Year Of My 15HP Honda

[bobgritz]

I have a 4 stroke outboard with the serial number 'BALJ 1100433'. I was told it is a 2003-2005. Everything I seem to read uses the reference letters 'BF' for these years and I cannot find reference to my 'BALJ'. Do I need to look elsewhere on my motor for a plate with different numbers? Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW, although the year would be great, I would also appreciate some type of source or reference that cross-references my numbers and shows me what each letter/number refers to. Thank you.

 

[TGuy]

Look on the serial number plate in the bottom right corner for a 2 letter code. That is what Honda uses to determine the year. Once you have those 2 letters, post back and hopefully a Honda dealer on the forum can look up the code and tell you what year it is. Honda serial numbers don't have anything to do with the year.

 

[bobgritz]

No Title

TGuy ... thanks for jumping in and helping! I assumed this (see pic 1) was the the serial number plate but it contains the same letters and numbers originally posted. I don't see a 'two letter' code here, is there another plate somewhere else? The second pic is of some embossed characters on the motor but I don't believe this is what you are referring to.

 

[Alumarine]

If that tag is on the leg then I think it's a 2004 BF15D4 and the type is LHSA..
Don't know what the letters mean although L might be long shaft?

Honda serial number to year 20 hp or less
http://www.hondamarine.pl/download/r...i_silnikow.pdf

 

[bobgritz]

No Title

Wow ... I won't even ask how you figured that out based on the numbers on the serial plate. Thank you for the link.

Another question for you (although it probably is irrelevant): I can find no reference to the 'L' either however, my outboard is definitely a Short Shaft so is it possible that the designation might be - 2004 BF15D4 - but simply Type: 'SHA' vs 'LHSA' (see pic). Thanks again!

 

[Alumarine]

I was just guessing on what the L meant. I guess, I guessed wrong!