Honda BF8A idling issue

[Roxanne]

I have Honda BF8A year model 2000. It seems to start and run fine, however when I put the cowling cover back on. The idle slows and stalls out. I have checked and cleaned the air intake screen and I've also cleaned the carburetor. It seems to run a little rich in the tank. Here is a picture of the carburetor and notice how one of the Brass plugs has no screwdriver slot. The other plug with a screwdriver slot is bottomed out. Is this the normal position? And does the other brass plug or jet? look Normal?

 

[isaksp00]

Re: Honda BF8A idling issue

My 8 hp looks the same. The brass plug with the screw slot is the low speed jet, and mine has clogged a few times causing poor if any idle. Try removing it and clean the tiny orifice up the center. It should be all the way in - it doesn't adjust. Why it only has poor idle with the cowl on is odd. Mine was not like that.

 

[CoastalBoy]

Re: Honda BF8A idling issue

That carb is exactly the same as my 2003 8hp... mine had very rough idle (if at all) until I backed out the brass jet & took a very thin wire (from a small twist tie) and cleared the hole up the center of the jet. It screws all the way to the bottom.
I also ran some SeaFoam through the carb by pulling off the fuel line from the fuel pump and filling the line with SeaFoam... ran the motor until it stated to smoke like mad... turned it off & let it sit for about 5 mins. I then started it up and it continued to smoke for awhile and then cleared up and ran smooth as a top... I even lowered the idle speed.
I have read on other forms that running SeaFoam before you store the engine keeps the jets nice & clean... well after this experience, I'm sold. I will run the stuff through at the start and end of each season & a $10 bottle will last me for yrs.

 

[JB]

Re: Honda BF8A idling issue

Please read and respect our rules, CoastalBoy.

12. Please do not post to threads that have been inactive for more than 3 months UN-LESS you are the original poster. We have very active forums and any thread that remains inactive for that long should be considered "dead". It is especially confusing when there is an entirely new question posted to an old thread. This is considered a hijack. Please start a new thread of your own.