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Starter kickback

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dinghymotor

New member
My new (8 hrs running time) Honda 2 HP sometimes has a vicious kickback when pulling the starter cord.

I have had some skin peeled off my fingers, a friend sprained his wrist, and my wife at the moment is sporting a large bruise/bloodblister (but no broken bones) from the starter cord handle when it kicked back onto the back of the left hand that was used to brace against the motor housing while pulling the starter cord with the right.

Is this due to something that I'm doing wrong in starting the motor or is it a design flaw (I.E. inherent in the design) ?

Thanks for the reply

Dinghymotor
 
I don't know if this is common for these outboards as I have never had the pleasure of operating one. Does this occur when it is hot, cold or doesn't matter? The reason I ask, is that if it tends to happen when the engine is hot, you may be able to mitigate the condition somewhat by using a higher octane fuel until the engine is better broken in.

Kick back like you describe is usually the result of improper spark timing or a condition called detonation.

While I doubt the timing would be off on an engine that is so new, stranger things have happened. But I would more likely suspect some detonation may be occurring. This is can easily happen with gasoline that is low in octane. With the compression of your new engine being somewhat higher now than when it will be well broken in, your gasoline's octane may be just on the edge of detonation at certain times, particularly in hot weather and after running, stopping and then starting up again after a "hot soak".

Temporarily using a higher octane fuel might be the easiest thing to try to save your fingers before taking it in for a check-up.
 
Thanks jgmo.
It seems to happen on a cold start most of the time but occasionally on a "hot" start as well. It is sporadic and occurs only about 5-10% of the starter cord pulls. Your idea of preignition seems logical though, I've been using "oxygenated" (ethanol added) chevron fuel of the lowest (cheapest) of the three grades they offer. I'll try it with higher octane fuel.



jgmo said:
I don't know if this is common for these outboards as I have never had the pleasure of operating one. Does this occur when it is hot, cold or doesn't matter? The reason I ask, is that if it tends to happen when the engine is hot, you may be able to mitigate the condition somewhat by using a higher octane fuel until the engine is better broken in.

Kick back like you describe is usually the result of improper spark timing or a condition called detonation.

While I doubt the timing would be off on an engine that is so new, stranger things have happened. But I would more likely suspect some detonation may be occurring. This is can easily happen with gasoline that is low in octane. With the compression of your new engine being somewhat higher now than when it will be well broken in, your gasoline's octane may be just on the edge of detonation at certain times, particularly in hot weather and after running, stopping and then starting up again after a "hot soak".

Temporarily using a higher octane fuel might be the easiest thing to try to save your fingers before taking it in for a check-up.
Click to expand...
 
Perhaps your dealer did not instruct you during the PDI [if you even got one], that it is always best to pull any 4 stroke engine , [of any kind] over on the intake stroke. The pull effort is much easier, the starting is spot on,
And you won't blame the engine for something it does not deserve.
 
Also, when you go to pull the rope, slowly pull the rope until the cog catches on the recoil starter, then give it a tug. What you are experiencing is pretty normal with these engines unless you start them this way.

Mike
 
roadancer said:
Perhaps your dealer did not instruct you during the PDI [if you even got one], that it is always best to pull any 4 stroke engine , [of any kind] over on the intake stroke. The pull effort is much easier, the starting is spot on,
And you won't blame the engine for something it does not deserve.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what a PDI is, but if it means a new owner "orientation, I got one when I bought the motor. I don't recall there being anything said about the proper technique for pulling the starter cord though. Might have been one of the many many subjects we talked about, I just don't remember it.
 
hondadude said:
Also, when you go to pull the rope, slowly pull the rope until the cog catches on the recoil starter, then give it a tug. What you are experiencing is pretty normal with these engines unless you start them this way.

Mike
Click to expand...

Hey thanks hondadude, roaddancer says that I should pull it over only on the intake stroke. Is that just other choice of words describing the same thing that you have said?
 
dinghymotor said:
I'm not sure what a PDI is, but if it means a new owner "orientation, I got one when I bought the motor. I don't recall there being anything said about the proper technique for pulling the starter cord though. Might have been one of the many many subjects we talked about, I just don't remember it.
Click to expand...

How does one pull it over on the intake stroke only? How does the operator know whether he's on the intake stroke or the compression stroke. What is the technique. The owner's manual talks about pulling the chord slowly until resistance is felt then pulling harder. Will that assure that I'm on the intake stroke?
 
dinghymotor said:
How does one pull it over on the intake stroke only? How does the operator know whether he's on the intake stroke or the compression stroke. What is the technique. The owner's manual talks about pulling the chord slowly until resistance is felt then pulling harder. Will that assure that I'm on the intake stroke?
Click to expand...

Hi.....we have the exact same problem with our Honda 2 purchased in Seattle last Spring.....lots of bruises & sprained wrists & swearing. Very disappointing since we have cruised for 20 yrs with our very old Honda 2 and never ever had any problems like this, nor does our 15HP Mercury kickback. We will be back on board in a month and plan to take it into a dealer, but frankly are dreading using the thing after all last Summer with it beating us up. This was supposed to be a nice new Honda for me (the Wife) to use taking the dog ashore, but now Hubby has to escort me everywhere and even he gets kickback but not as often as me. Perhaps it is technique, but we are not novices at using O/Bs and IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD! Just writing to you to see if you got anything else in the way of info. If it is our technique, we will have to learn to correct ourselves, but we think there is something wrong with this thing. Thanks.
 
My Honda 2HP is UNBELIEVABLY BAD. I never post to forums but for Honda I signed up to warn people DO NOT BUY A HONDA 2HP OUTBOARD!!!!!
Bad kickback, corrosion even though stored indoors all (that is all) the time, and clogged carb are what I have experienced so far. My motor was brand new and was used for one mile total (yes just one mile) and then was started numerous times to keep it in running condition. It was kept indoors except for a few sailing days. It was so unreliable and the kickback was so bad that we almost always paddled. One time when we could not paddle against the wind we barely got it running before our boat ended up in a bridge. Just to make sure you believe me I will tell you that I have sailed all my life and I build racing cars and engines for a hobby. I have rebuilt at least 20 automobile engines so I know what I am talking about. THIS HONDA WAS THE WORST PURCHASE I HAVE EVER MADE.
 
Well, it's disappointing to see that so many people are having this problem with these little Hondas. I have never seen one in person so I couldn't answer your question. But I'm fairly certain that I remember reading that SOME of the 2 hp models DO have compression releases. I just couldn't tell you which ones.

I just know for sure that KICKBACK is PAINFUL and I would NOT want it happening to ME!
 
With my old BF-100 (1986 9.9 Hp) if I squeeze the Primer Bulb too much (first cold start), I will get a hydraulic lock and a really flooded engine. When you pull on an intake stroke and manifold is flooded, you get quite a kickback without any ignition taking place.

This was confirmed by removing spark plugs and seeing lots of gasoline expelled when starting cord was pulled.

Carburetor's float valve should prevent this, but it has happened.
Art
 
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