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2010 Honda BF90D - Limp Mode Issues

D

Dcav

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Bought a used 2010 17ft skiff with a 2010 Honda BF90D with less than 300 hours. Had a full service done on it immediately. No issues found by the shop. Everything seemed to be fine and it purred like a kitten. Took it out on a local lake and idled around quite a bit perfect. Then I opened her up and after about 15-20 minutes of running around 4-5k rpms it would lose power and go into limp mode. Turned it off and back on and everything was fine again for a few minutes and then do the same thing over and over again above 4k rpm. Took it back to the shop and they said it had no codes and everything ran fine - mechanic couldn’t find anything wrong. Took it out several more times after that and the same thing happens over and over again after running at cruising speed for 15-20 min above 4k rpm. Never a problem at idle/low wake speeds under 2k rpm - runs for hours. I suspected a fuel issue so I installed new water separator, fuel filter, fuel pump, hoses, clamps, bulb, connectors, running non-ethanol fuel, tank vents are open and clear, no line leaks, and bulb stays hard. Also doesn’t seem to overheat, water pump is new, strong cool pee stream. Oil level is good. When it goes into limp mode, it does not cause alarms, lights, or buzzer on console. So what am I missing - what else would cause a Honda 90 to go into limp mode after 15-20 min of running at cruising speed?
 
Don't know about the 90's. But on the 200/225's the only thing that will put it in limp mode is low oil pressure or overheat. If overheat, the engine will shut down in 20 seconds if overheat doesn't come down. If low oil pressure, then it will continue to run in limp mode.

So your shop needs to check oil pressure under the same circumstance as when it goes into limp mode, or change out the oil pressure sensor. I don't know if low oil pressure throws a fault code on the 90. Others on this forum will know.
 
[FONT=&quot]Continuing to eliminate things. Yesterday I checked the high pressure fuel filter. To my surprise, it was completely black and had a fine Sandy grit all over it. Apparently it was never changed - probably ever. I assumed when the shop did the complete service in June, they did all the basics like both fuel filters, both thermostats, etc etc. Probably bad for me to assume that. In any case, I changed it out and ran the boat for quite a while today with no issues. I will need to run it a few more times to feel confident that the height pressure fuel filter was the problem. I do still plan on changing out both thermostats because I’m not confident my shop did both. Thanks for the tips and I will let you know how things turn out.[/FONT]
 
My engine was doing the same thing, and was thinking it was going into "limp mode". Really it just couldn't get enough fuel after opening past 75% throttle or 4k. Chawk_man is correct in saying LIMP mode keeps engine at 1800 rpms.
 
Appreciate the feedback. Seemed like limp mode to me, but definitely could be wrong. The filter seemed to make quite a difference. To be sure, I also changed out both thermostats today. Found that the wrong thermostat was used on the block - was 50c but should have been 60c. I will continue to monitor.
 
[FONT=&quot]Update - changing the High Pressure fuel filter definitely helped, but the problem seemed to return. I also changed out both thermostats. Still same issue, but seems a little different and slightly better. Next I will change out water separator on the motor which has a water sensor. Even though the on motor water separator is clean and clear of debris/water, I’m thinking the sensor or float might be acting up. Also going to change out High Pressure fuel pump while I’m at it. I also plan on changing out water release valve at the back/bottom of the motor because I noticed lots of gunk buildup when changing out the thermostats.[/FONT]
 
You don't mention if you are getting an alarm and if so, which light is indicating the fault. Temp light coming on, of oil light going off? Fuel starvation can seem like limp mode, only there will be no warning lights or alarm associated with it.
 
No alarms. Took the VST apart and the high pressure fuel pump is rusted out. Particles and sediment everywhere. So it appeared and acted like it was an issue sending it into limp mode, but it’s definitely a fuel delivery issue caused by rusted out HP fuel pump. Concerned now that some of those particles might be clogging fuel injectors.
 
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It's a simple and worthwhile process to strip and clean the whole fuel systen including injector service. The filter baskets in yhe injectors will be full of crap too. Do the job right, do it once
 
chawk_man - yes sir - there was a ton of junk in the VST from a rusted out high pressure fuel pump, which also clogged the injectors. I cleaned the VST, changed the HP fuel pump, changed the HP filter, changed the injectors....all good now!
 
iang6766 - the low pressure fuel pump was also changed out, but that wasn't the issue. The issue was actually a ton of junk in the VST from a rusted out high pressure fuel pump, which also clogged the injectors. I cleaned the VST, changed the HP fuel pump, changed the HP filter, changed the injectors....all good now!
 
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