Thread: Lil Honda 4 Stroke ?

Not familiar with Honda but it sounds like a carb problem. Could have some trash in float bowl or float could be sticking. Think first thing I would do is run a good dose of Stabill through it and see if it clears up. I have found usually a glommed up low speed jet causes that dying when put in gear. Also float level can effect it. Like if there is some gum on float shaft it might not open all the way. Don't go messing with adjustments. If nothing came loose or broke and it ran good before that's not your problem. You say you have new plugs, my 50 yamaha did that and I found a bad plug. Could never tell it was bad the way the motor ran except when loading on trailer.

I agree with Cray on the low speed jet and also the bad plug. I've put new plugs in only to find out that one of them was bad (out of the box). I've also found (during a spark test) where a plug would show spark but would not crank under compression.

One additional thing: You say you put the controls on yourself. Could it be that your throttle position connection needs to be adjusted? Obviously, you can kick it in gear so that adjustment is fine, but the throttle should also be in a proper location. Just a thought and might be something to look at.

Thanks for the replies gents. I guess there could be something gumming up the works but I have been meticulous about fuel since reading about the small passageways in these carbs. I went with a brand new tank and had a new line & bulb made up while I watched the guy over at the dealer. Very careful adding fuel and always added StarTron to fuel whether it had ethanol or not. I try to buy non-ethanol but at times, it might not have been available thus the StarTron additive. Supposedly it fixes the problem with ethanol when added correctly. I also am a big fan of SeaFoam in my stuff...small engines, cars, tow vehicle etc. Use it occasionally but not every tank. Seems it's worked well for many years keeping my stuff clean. I have used Stabil in the past when storing fuel for a period of time...wasn't aware it was actually a "cleaner" too. Learn something every day.

Plugs are cheap...I'll put new plugs in it and gap em right. I do have a manual so I'll look into the throttle adjustment procedure again. That could be it too.

Dealer across the way here is a big Yamaha guy. He tried to sell me some Yamaha brand fuel treatment...I think it was like 50 bucks for a pint or so. I'm sure it's good stuff and if I was running a big Yammie, I'd want to follow his advice. But on my lil Honda, I felt being careful and clean and starting with new parts, I should be able to stay trouble-free for a while until maybe tune-up time.

Thanks again.

If you have a shop manual for the motor, see if Honda uses a shift interrupt switch. I'm not sure if outboards use them or not, but I know I/O's use them. Their purpose is to kill the ignition power momentarily, as you shift gears so as not to cause damage to the gears. If it has one, and is going bad or not adjusted properly, it will cause the motor to stall while shifting.

@ Shellback...Thanks. I have searched the Honda service manual as well as the OEM parts breakdowns for my particular model and don't see anything for a switch interrupt switch. Looked for something that Honda may call it by a different name but come up blank. Maybe my little outboard doesn't use this. Your suggestion sounds like something that could be a problem but if it's got one, I can't find it. A neutral switch is the closest I came up with but apparently that's not what you're referring to. I did find it in parts diagrams for larger motors but not mine.

have you tried seafoam?

Originally Posted by r2002

have you tried seafoam?

Yep, r2002...I mentioned it above. I add a bit IN the fuel from time to time. I have not done a Seafoam treatment, i.e. squirting in the intake while running or removing plugs, etc.

Carb cleaning on my Yamaha 4 stroke is not that hard. I suspect the Honda would be similar. Just don't get carb cleaner on gaskets, diaphragm or o-rings. Unless your throttle linkage has slipped, I suspect a cleaning would do it. You tube has tons of help.