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1996 BF 25 hp not starting

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Nate Kohl

New member
I have a 1996 BF25 tiller, manual start. Went to get it ready for the spring today and unable to get it started. The kill switch is working properly, but it didn't seem like I was getting a spark. I would like to get this straightened out before the rivers open up.
 
Re: BF25 not starting

Describe what you are doing to try and start the motor. Did you try a squirt of gas into the carb? DON"T USE ETHER! That stuff is an engine killer. The spark on these is very faint and hard to see. How are you testing for spark?

I have found the Honda ignition systems to be very reliable. I realize not everyone is so equipped, but on no starts after a winter lay up, I go right to the propane. I release propane into the carb intake and see if she will cough, sputter or run. Pretty much every time they do and I go right to taking down the carb and cleaning it.

I've only replaced one ignition coil on a Honda twin in 6 years and even that engine would run, albeit badly. But, I have repaired/rebuilt/cleaned a couple of hundred Honda carburetors in that time. It's the weak link on a Honda. Especially if it isn't properly drained and stored.

A timing light and a 12 volt battery is a pretty reliable way to check that there is ignition. Again, not something you just pull out of your pocket but if you're going to be the mechanic, you havta tool up.
 
Re: BF25 not starting

I have only gone through my usual steps of starting the motor, which during cold weather has been choke and a few more extra pulls. I am going to use some brand new gas and maybe try the propane trick. I was only checking for spark by removing a plug and looking for a spark in a dark garage. If I need to rip apart the carbs, is there a rebuild kit, or would cleaning the carbs over a couple days do the trick? I am not wanting to pump a ton of money into the motor this year if I can avoid it.
 
Hi Nate,
I just realized that I'm probably not the guy that should be answering your post. I'm not familiar with this year and model. There may be a pattern failure with the spark system and I wouldn't be aware of it. If you can't see spark in the dark, then that makes me wonder.

Hopefully hondadude is monitoring and can point you in the right direction. Are you there MIKE?

In the meantime, I would encourage you to work up a propane enrichment technique and try new gas like you said. You will probably need a helper to shoot propane gas into the intake while you pull start or vice versa. If it starts and runs, you could use some additive like SEAFOAM or LUCAS fuel injector cleaner to help keep the carbs clean.
 
Hear you Jimmy!

I have not seen any issues with ignition on the 25 HP's. If it ran ok last year, but not this year...
-
- Check to be sure that no critters got into it and ate any wiring.
- Always use new gas. When you get your new gas...open up the drains of the carburators and flush the system.
- If anyone has tinkered with any of the screws (other than drain screws) on the carburators, they could be out of balance.
- When you are trying to start it, advance the throttle as far as you can...not just to where it is indicated on the handle. Be ready to slow it down quickly when it starts.

- I have to reiterate what Jimmy said about the spark...it is very dim. A timing light is the easiest way to be sure there is activity from the ignition. I say activity, because it does not prove there "is" spark, it just proves that there is not spark if you do not see the light.

We service several of these (manual starts) used by Fire Rescue Teams in the area. The only issues thay have had were breakage and gooed up carbs (in spite of what we tell them to do). They all start on the first pull if properly tunes up.

Mike
 
Got the motor running today. Thanks for the tips guys. I ended up draining all the gas left in the carbs, re-tightened the drain plugs, dumped the gas left in the tank into the truck, drained the hose and put fresh gas in with some seafoam. Couple pumps of the ball and some pulls and it fired right up. Unfortunately, as i was removing the prop, i noticed a crack on the prop holder. Took it apart and am going to need to replace it with new. Any tips on where to get one of these for cheap? part number is 41201-ZV7-000ZA
 
Thanks for the heads up on the website. That is the part I am looking for, now I need to order it and reinstall. Pretty happy I decided to take off the prop and inspect.
 
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