Outboard Troubles

[BrianW]

Noticed the oil in my Honda 130hp 4 stroke was getting a bit too light in color last month. So I changed it, and of course the filter. Guess I was hoping (dreaming?) that it was mearly condensation for setting a couple months over the winter/spring.

Anyhow, the problem remains...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/Honu/oilondipstick.jpg

It not only looks like mocha coffee, but it has the whip cream too...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/Honu/oilfoam.jpg

Needless to say, I pulled the boat out of the water, rather than going fishing again. Took it to the local shop to have it checked out. But basically I already know these Hondas, in my serial number range, have an issue with cracked water passages. Honda of US was very good about replacing the entire powerhead, even if out of warranty. Unfortunately, this engine was bought in Canada (Whitehorse I believe) and Honda of Canada does not recognize this problem and refuses to help.

Guess I was lucky it ran as long as it did. It's a '97 model and has over 1300 hours.

I'll await the official word, but now I'm thinking it's time for a new engine. The 130hp was a bit weak when the boat was loaded up to max anyhow, so at a minimum I'm going to move up to a Honda 150hp. They are actually about 30lbs lighter, and put out more like 160hp. My controls and guages will work. Also been looking into the newish Suzuki 175hp. They are even lighter, and swing a 16" prop which has a good reputation for speed and economy. But I'd need to spend another $1500 in controls and guages.

I've got 2 weeks to decide, as I'm in the airport headed north to work.

[KNOCKABOUT]

Yes that is water infiltrated oil. It does make a nice oil merange pie though...

[Tom Robb]

Doesn't it warm your heart when a manufacturer stands behind their product. Or doesn't:(

[Ian Marchuk]

Brian , though the motor is a 97 with 1300 hrs , I would be really choked if I found myself in this situation. 1300 hrs. is not very much in the HONDA context . The castings are defective as Honda US has acknowledged , and have replaced them even after warranties expired , to protect their reputation , research their casting process ,
and foster goodwill.
I suggest that you not let the ball drop on this one . Contact the factory rep . All major manufacturers have them. IF you don't get any satisfaction from the divisional rep i.e. Western Canada go national . If that doesn't go very far contact the North American head office reps. Be firm , persistent and continue to press your case.
Frankly , a sucessful and proper resolution to this case would be very inexpensive and effective advertising for Honda.
I am at the point of ordering up the construction plans for a boat ,
and I will going to power up with a 4-stroke in the 90 to 150 range.
My first choice was Honda . I'm not at all sure now ,as I am less than encouraged by the response you have received , and will do more research on Honda's competion.
These engines are lifetime INVESTMENTS. There are countless old crock 2-strokes around still performing well after decades of hard use and questionable maintenance and care . SURELY one would expect a HONDA 4-stroke to exceed that record . That is why most buy Honda. Quality , performance , longevity , and QUIET .
Oh , and BTW , tell them you have been lamenting your sorry situation on WBF....

[KNOCKABOUT]

Or you could send the defective part to me, and I'll ping Honda for you with my U.S. address.

[Cec]

Like Ian, I'm also looking at a Honda 4-stroke for my cruiser. Add my name to the list of those who will look elsewhere if they won't take care of you. You can even give them my email addy if they want to verify I'm serious. Even though I live in the States, it's a matter of customer service and I'm going to spend a lot on that motor...

[Tom Robb]

What Ian said.
You might add that the boat folks on the forum are not too impressed with their shoddy response. Noting the number of hits on the forum may be instructive.
Is the block the same casting as one of their car motors? If so and HONDA fails to stand by their product, then maybe a junkyard block would fit.

[geeman]

Possibly everybody here send an E mail to Honda suggesting they stand by product or else? Where would we send it?

[warthog5]

Also been looking into the newish Suzuki 175hp. They are even lighter, and swing a 16" prop which has a good reputation for speed and economy.

That is incorrect. The DF-175 swing's a 14 3/4in prop.
http://www.suzukimarine.com/boatbuilders/boattests/seafox_df175s1.php
The DF-200, Df-225 & Df-250 swing the 16in prop.

My DF-140's swing 14in prop's. Still bigger than the other manufacture's to give better holeshot and can do this due to the lower gear ratio that Suzuki has.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Warthog5/SuzukisMounted004.jpg

[Paul Fitzgerald]

I'm a big fan of Tohatsu. A lot of the local commercial operators use Tohatsu or Yamaha. Honda dont have good name in the commercial market in Oz.

[BrianW]

Thanks for the replies gents.

I will try again to get some help from Honda. I have no idea why Honda of Canada does not recognize a problem that Honda of US has not only acknowledged, but gone beyond the call of duty and replaced complete powerheads on engines out of warranty.

Those of you considering Honda shouldn't shy away completely. Honda still makes one of the most trouble free outboards on the market, and that's saying something these days as most manufactures are building great engines. Just make sure your dealing with Honda of US, and not Canada.

I live in the US, and so did the guy who ordered the engine. I'm sure he was just taking advantage of the good exchange rate at the time.

I'm not looking for a new engine out of the deal, but given it's a known problem, I'd like a decent price on a replacement powerhead.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Hey Brian I FOOKING HATE motors. The only thing that constantly gives me a bitch of a time EVERY-TIME I go sailing is the freaking outboard. TODAY was no exception. Phil, Tess and myself decide to take a little sail. Crank up the Honda 5-hp 4 stroke ( SUPPOSED to be indestructible ) gives us just enough juice to get out of the slip then sputters and DIES.. I get it started a few times but them it just sputters and dies. LOTS of gas, everything connected correctly. WHY WONT THE FREAKING THING STAY RUNNING??????

I have NEVER had a day when the ONLY thing that gives me a headache this motor decides to cooperate. It's always one thing or the other. I'm seriously thinking of just dumping the dam thing overboard and become a hardcore sans motors sailor. As it was this is now the THIRD time I have had to stick the landing under sail power alone.

Bulletproof Honda my ASS. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[BrianW]

That is incorrect. The DF-175 swing's a 14 3/4in prop.

The DF-200, Df-225 & Df-250 swing the 16in prop.

My DF-140's swing 14in prop's. Still bigger than the other manufacture's to give better holeshot and can do this due to the lower gear ratio that Suzuki has.

warthog,

From what I can see, that's a very nice looking boat!

About the prop size deal... I only know what I've been reading on another large boating website. Many folks are running 16x20 props on their 175hp Zukes, and enjoying great hole shots, top end (at appropriate max rpms), and economy.

The dealer I'm using right now even mentioned running a 16 inch prop if I repower with a Suzuki. Said one would cost $500 due to the fact that only stainless props can be used. I thought that was a bit strange. But not a problem, as I run stainless now.

[BrianW]

Joe,

Seems to be a problem with most small carbed engines. Once I figured out the problem with my kicker (9.9hp 4stroke) was air getting in the fuel quick disconnect, it has run great. I make it a point to start the kicker before every trip, and let it warm up before turning it off and running on the main engine.

You may need a racor water seperator?

Until now, my fuel injected Honda 130hp never failed me. It has swallowed big slugs of water and stalled, but once fed good fuel either thru selecting another tank or draining the racor, it has choked it down and restarted without any other work. In fact, it was running just great on the mildshake lubricant. :)

[warthog5]

You may be right BrianW. The DF-175's are VERY new, but that's a lot of prop.

I just finished the build on X-Shark.
http://www.classicmako.com/projects/xshark/

I'm in the process of adding some Glitz wood to it now.

I built Swamp Witch in 2003.
http://www.troutwagon.com/Nautical/SwampWitch/SwampWitch1.htm

[Ian Marchuk]

Joe , you have to get it through your brine soaked knotty head that modern outboards are very SENSITIVE . They cannot abide by being ignored until they are needed , and then rise up and perform just because some grumpy bilge rat with a big attitude DEMANDS performance. They need to be pampered from time to time and not flamed when you are disappointed . Encourage them with kind words and praise them for their efforts . If that is too much to ask , send it to me , cause I know how to treat them . Frankly Joe , you just don't deserve such a sweet machine . So buddy , it's back to sail paddle or oar for you......