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2008 Honda 150BF Outboard VST issue

G

gulfshrimp504

New member
Hoping for help, my 150BF was sputtering and surging at over 1/2 throttle. Took it to Honda dealer and they told me they think the VST is clogged but can't get the bolts out without possible snapping, so they couldn't do anything with it. All I can do is pick it up and try myself hoping to not break these small 8mm bolts. Before I take drastic measures I was wondering if there is a way to clean it out in place with seafoam or something?

Thanks for any advise.
 
I don't know about the BF 150, but on the 200's and 225's there is a draining procedure that works fine, most of the time. HondaDude will know specifically how to do it for the 150, if it can be done.

As for removing the VST, are these Phillips heads, or hex head bolts? Anyway, first off use PB Blaster around the bolt head. Then - tap, tap, tap.... More BP Blaster then more taps, then let it soak overnight and tap some more. They will likely come out. If still difficult, go to an auto parts store or hardware store and purchase an impact driver. Make sure its got the fittings for your bolt heads - most come with a 3/8" or 1/2" driver head. Set the drive to reverse out the bolt, set it up on top of the reluctant bolts and strike it several times with a hammer. That should do the trick.
 
The owner's manual explains draining.

There is a hose that has its end stored at the front of the powerhead (in a little groove). It might be easier to follow it from just below the drain screw on the vst.

To drain the vst, loosen the screw and have the hose ready to be put into a jar or container. Raise the engine all the way and the draining should begin.

Keep in mind...if your fuel tank is higher than the engine, the fuel will never empty from the vst, since it is siphoning it from the tank. In that case, you have to clamp the fuel line going to the motor...so you can empty the vst.

When you lower the motor to vertical, the draining will stop. You can then tighten the drain screw and place the hose in its storage area.

Mike
 
Thanks gentlemen, I'm not completely convinced but I asked the tech that on the phone and he said they tried to drain it and nothing came out. I will say however when I told the guy I wanted to keep it under $1K for repairs, they seemed a little less interested in helping. I will try myself, I pick it up to morrow. I have the tech manual and some mechanical ability. I see the process for removing and draining the VST, I was just curious really, if they are 100% legit and it won't come out or drain without breaking, is there any known successful process for cleaning in place?
 
Again, I'm talking about the 225 here and I just drained my VST yesterday. On my engine, the little drain hole that is connected to the drain tube is easily clogged. First, before draining, I always turn on the key switch for a few seconds to allow the HP fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system. Then I open up the screw that allows the fuel to come out of the VST. If nothing comes out, blow on the tube a few times, then wait. If still nothing comes out, then you need to suck on the tube to get it flowing.
 
Awesome thanks, like I said I don't think they were really motivated to help much if I wasn't willing to go $1,500-$2,000 into it. I was a bit surprised at the negative tone the guy had towards the motor being a honda dealer. Oh well, a $500 lesson and get to get my hands a little more dirty.

Thanks again, I appreciate the guidance.
 
Any body know what the part number is for the wiring harness to the injectors on the bf150. I think I have a bad connection

Thanks
 
Ok so this is in. I picked it up at dealer today, they're sorry, it's a bad motor, probably swamped, yada, yada. I paid the $500, took it to the bayou, pulled the covers and looked at the VST, trimmed motor up and opened the drain screw as suggested, nothing. I took some injector cleaner, with the little red straw squirted a second and voila it started peeing gas. Drained it, set up my nets and put it in. Ran like a champ, no issues at all!! Thanks for the advise, sorry for the Honda dealer...
 
That is great news! Sorry for your experience with the dealer.

Out of curiosity, what did the dealer do for $500?

Also...I assume you do not need the part number for the wiring harness any more....

Mike
 
A little over $300 was legit, it had an over heat alarm, they ran a diagnostic and changed the temp sensor and thermostats, yeah a little pricey for that, but it's done. The other $175 was them "trying" to take the VST off to clean it. I asked him on the phone if he tried draining and he said yeah, nothing came out I think its clogged up that's your fuel problem. There are a couple fishy things on that also, but overall it ran great yesterday, I only have one more day of the early shrimp season then I'll pull it for a month and do some more maintenance. Thanks again, wiring harness wasn't me, someone else jumped in my thread. Thanks guys!
 
My 2007 150 is brand new to me, 300 hrs, great compression. I live about $350 away from the closest Honda service. When I try to fire it stutters for about 1 second and shuts down. Pump bulb again till hard, same stutter. Some fuel at the pump. Seems for me the costs to just replace the fuel pump ($40 +/-) and the vst ($300-400) would be the easiest way to go. Primer bulb working fine, filter changed.
What else could it be ?

Jimmy
Lopez Island
 
I'll reply to my own post. Took the VST/High Pressure Pump assembly off today and opened up the bowl top and side cover. Lot of dirt and gummy ethanol completly blocking the fuel passage from the HP Pump. There was no or very little getting to the injector rail. So I'll clean it all up with carb cleaner and order all new parts.

I wonder if the HP Pump is all clogged up also and maybe it should be replaced. Guess I could put 12V to it and try to pump some solvent to check it out. I'll try the parts here and maybe thru Honda itself to get all the necessary stuff. Does anybody have a take on the injectors themselves, are they clogged also? Maybe I should check the Low Pressure Pump also. Anything else that I should be aware of.

I grew up in service stations in the 50's and early 60's, leaded gas was much better to deal with than ethanol. Taught me a good lesson today, use Stabinol in every tank of gas and empty motor of fuel for the winter, just fog it.

Jimmy
Lopez Island, Wa
 
Hey Jimmy, you might want to consider using ethanol free fuel. There’s plenty available in the San Juans. I use it exclusively in my BF 200 and it runs like a champ.
 
Deuxgrenouilles said:
Hey Jimmy, you might want to consider using ethanol free fuel. There’s plenty available in the San Juans. I use it exclusively in my BF 200 and it runs like a champ.
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Hi - Thx for the reply, I've been working on this conversion from I/O to Honda 150. Freshwater motor from Oregon sat for 2 years with bad fuel. I have removed VST and am waiting for a few parts. Lots of pink gel in bottom of VST and clogged it up. No non-ethanol available on Lopez, Friday Harbor and the Indians ****** just outside of Anacortes. I'll fill up in FH as soon as I make sure it is sea worthy after the conversion. Hope junk hasn't screwed up the fuel-injectors.
Again Thx
 
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