Won't Idle

[tgglider]

I have a 2003 2 HP 4 stroke Honda outboard that also does not idle when I push in the choke after warming up, which sounds similar to floridaboater1's issue above, however I am not sure of what he meant when he said that he did not line up the vacuum line on the back of the air box, could someone please further explain that comment?

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

floridaboater won't be answering your question. His last visit was over 2 1/2 years ago. Please read the Help Tip on top of the page. It is best to start a new topic with your questions for the best shot at an answer, just I did for you with this new topic.

Here is the topic where you asked your question - http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...-with-choke-on

I'm guessing he missed a hose that connects to the airbox.

 

[isaksp00]

I would first check and clean the low speed jet, which on the 8HP is on the top of the carb and can be easily removed. Cleaning that may just fix it. If not, remove the carb and do a complete cleaning, in carb dip, not just using spray carb cleaner.

 

[hondam]

There are no vacuum lines on the 2 hp engines. There are drain and vent lines but no vacuum. Its probably just a dirty carb.

Honda does not recommend the use of ANY carb dips or seafoam. They coat their aluminum and those corrosive chemicals will errode the coating and cause issues with the carburator and will need to be replaced. Carb spray or compressed air is OK but just done want the carbs soaking in the chemicals. The best way to clean them is in an Ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[isaksp00]

Thanks, Hondam. Hmm, I did not realize that Honda dissuades use of carb dip. Luckily I only dipped mine once (though I don't know how the service shops that did it before I owned it worked). I don't think most private owners will have an ultrasonic cleaner big enough to do these (though maybe they are actually affordable?) - if use of spray fails, do service shops generally offer a service to just clean the carb in their machine if you bring the body in?

My 8HP ('91) has actually been running well - except it periodically has a bad idle and when put in gear it stalls unless you throttle up higher than it should be when put in gear. So far, removing the idle jet at the top, poking a thin plastic "wire" through it and then zapping with spray has fixed it each time.

 

[hondam]

Your right most private people do not and there are also a lot of shops that don't or haven't been properly trained in cleaning 4 stroke carbs to even know they need an ultrasonic.

Generally if you bring your carb in they will run it for you, I know we do but not everywhere is the same.