Cracked head on honda 50 hp

[dorcutt]

Help. I have a 1998 50hp honda 4 stroke that was running fine then started missing. I found water in the middle plug. It has been running in salt water since I have had it for a couple of years. A local shop looked at it, took the intake mainfold off and said I more than likely have a cracked head. Now the question, is Honda prone to cracked heads and should I repair or replace. I liked the Honda engine but have heard that the alloy they use in the head is prone to cracking in salt water conditions. Is this true, and should I be wary of replacing it with another Honda? Any guidance is appreciated. Dave

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Cracked head on honda 50 hp

No, they are not prone to cracking heads. On a ten year old engine, if the cost of repair exceeds 10% of the cost of new engine then repairing it is not cost effective. Honda quality control is as good as anyone else's on the market so buying another one would not be a mistake. But, I would go with an Evinrude or Tohatsu instead.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Cracked head on honda 50 hp

Help. I have a 1998 50hp honda 4 stroke that was running fine then started missing. I found water in the middle plug. It has been running in salt water since I have had it for a couple of years. A local shop looked at it, took the intake mainfold off and said I more than likely have a cracked head. Now the question, is Honda prone to cracked heads and should I repair or replace. I liked the Honda engine but have heard that the alloy they use in the head is prone to cracking in salt water conditions. Is this true, and should I be wary of replacing it with another Honda? Any guidance is appreciated. Dave

hello,

do u know why they pulled the intake manifold? did they say what informatinon they gained by doing that?

have u done a compression check? did they?

maybe u just blew the head gasket? is that possible?

i just pulled mine, and while older than your's, i did see both top cylinders showing signs of exhaust passing into the water jacket via grey staining of the head gasket sealing areas.

do u flush it after each salt use? is it possible u cooled it too quickly last time out?

good luck!

regards
lakester

 

[DJ]

Re: Cracked head on honda 50 hp

I think it deserves a deeper dive/investigation even if you do it yourself.

 

[dorcutt]

Re: Cracked head on honda 50 hp

Thanks all for the replys. To the Tohatsu Guru, thanks for the 10% guidance, good rule of thumb. As too further infomation, my understanding is they did a compression check and vaccum leak check to confirm there was a leak in the head, then pulled the manifold and there was clear signs of water leakage in the head on the middle cylinder. At this point they stoped and suggested that replacing the top end would not be cost effective when considering the cost of parts and labor.
I did not flush the unit after every salt water usasge. The engine sits in the salt water in the summer an comes out in the fall. I do normaly flush when it comes out.
Replacing the engine with a non Honda engine adds additional cost because of the controls and anncilary equipment that goes with it so wanted to stay with Honda unless there is a history of poor reliability associated with salt water beyound the norm. Thats my thinking at this point. Dave

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Cracked head on honda 50 hp

Thanks all for the replys. To the Tohatsu Guru, thanks for the 10% guidance, good rule of thumb. As too further infomation, my understanding is they did a compression check and vaccum leak check to confirm there was a leak in the head, then pulled the manifold and there was clear signs of water leakage in the head on the middle cylinder. At this point they stoped and suggested that replacing the top end would not be cost effective when considering the cost of parts and labor.
I did not flush the unit after every salt water usasge. The engine sits in the salt water in the summer an comes out in the fall. I do normaly flush when it comes out.
Replacing the engine with a non Honda engine adds additional cost because of the controls and anncilary equipment that goes with it so wanted to stay with Honda unless there is a history of poor reliability associated with salt water beyound the norm. Thats my thinking at this point. Dave

That cylinder head can be checked for cracks very easily and cheaply at any reputable machine shop. To R&R that cylinder head would take the average auto mechanic 4-5 hours to do, including a valve adjustment.
It's a very easy job for the mechanically inclined.