Honda BF115/130 Cylinder Head Crack -if it hasn't happened by now or Not If but When?

[Twostrokefan]

There was a Honda Service bulletin for most of these built between 1999 and 2003 which covered a strip down and inspect and replacement head if required.

I'm looking at a very low hours year 1999 engine - maybe 250 hours. It's in the service notice range of serials but it was never inspected although is running fine. Has anyone any experience of whether they all developed the problem, developed it quickly or only when the engine got very hot. eg. was worked hard, or was allowed to build up salt deposits in the cooling system.

There does seem to be a lot of these engines about all apparently working reliably!

In short, is it a case of not "If Not but When it'll crack" or "If it hasn't happened by now..." ?

Many thanks for any help as I really need to pull the trigger to secure this -or walk away:grumpy:.

 

[Twostrokefan]

Re: Honda BF115/130 Cylinder Head Crack -if it hasn't happened by now or Not If but W

In case it's helpful to anyone with or considering buying one of these BF115/130HP Hondas, here's the full service bulletin detail including serial numbers potentially affected:

Service Bulletin
BULLETIN NO : SBMA200304
BULLETIN TO : MARINE DEALERS
ATTENTION : Marine Service Department
DATE : February 2003
SUBJECT : BF 115/130 Heads cracking

Symptom
Engine idle is unstable and water can be found in the combustion chamber.
Cause
A crack develops between the number 2 and number 3 cylinders allowing water to enter into thecombustion chamber.
Corrective Action
A cooling water jacket passage has been added in the cylinder head to help the engine have amore even flow of coolant water. The thermostat valve opening temperature has been changed from72 to 60 degrees Celsius to reduce the coolant temperature.Before C/M After C/M

New water jacket


Application on the production line
This means any serial number less than the serial number below may be affected!
Model Serial Prefix Serial No. FRT
BF 115A2 BZBD 1300690 3.4
BZBG 1300035
BF 115A3 BZBD 1400001
BZBG 1400001
BF130A2 BZBE 1302748
BZBH 1300363
BF130A3 BZBE 1400001
BZBH 1400001

Warranty Information
The numbers circled below refer to the numbers on the warranty claim form. When completing your warranty claim make sure the information in the following warranty claim field is the same as shownbelow. All other fields (boxes) must be completed as per normal.13

13 Fault code? 599
14 F.R.T.-3.4
19 Main Casual Part- 12201-ZW5-010ZA
20 QTY- 0
Warranty Application-
Ordinary (
normal domestic and commercial warranty applies
)
Replacement part number
Cylinder head sub assy(no cam or valves)- 12201-ZW5-020ZA QTY 1
Gasket head- 12251-ZW5-023 QTY 1
Thermostat(60 Deg)- 19300-ZY3-023 QTY 1
OR
Cylinder head and cam-assy- 12215-ZW5-020ZA QTY 1
Gasket head- 12251-ZW5-023 QTY 1
Thermostat(60 Deg)- 19300-ZY3-023 QTY 1

PLEASE ENSURE ALL RELEVANT STAFF ARE AWARE OF THIS BULLETIN AND ITSCONTENTS.