Logo
FULL SITE MENU

2008 Honda BF 225

N

nomoreosama

New member
I have noticed that recently my starboard motor has some brown staining from what i believe are vapor ports on the back of the motors, underneath the engine cover on the lower bowl covers. The motors have 450 hours and run flawless minus several Ho2 sensors! I mainly troll for long periods of time, so i just assumed it is from prolonged idling.

Paul
 
Black stains at the exhaust vents are typical when trolling a lot. I've never seen brown stains.

Wipe the stains and see if they feel oily. Are you changing oil every 100 hours? You should be.

When is the last time the plugs were changed? It should be at least every 400 hours. When you pull the plugs, note the color of the coating on the electrodes. It should be milk chocolate brown. If any are not, note which cylinders they came out of. I make it a practice the pull and inspect the plugs at every 100 hour maintenance. When I re-install the plugs, I lightly coat the threads with high temp grease. If those plugs have never been changed, I suspect you are going to have a hard time getting them out. Best to have a professional do that the first time.
 
I religiously change the oil at 100 hours... Plugs were replaced at 300 hours and were as you say milk chocolate in color.... I just don't recall ever seeing it on the port motor..... After my next trip, I will feel it to see if it is oily.... I do not think it is.... I always treat my fuel with star tron and sea foam.

Paul
 
OK. Had to ask the obvious stuff.

Were these stains cleaned off the last time you changed the HO2 sensor? I'm thinking this may have been a residual result of the previously failed sensors. But those stains are normally black.

Also, have you lost any oil since the last oil change? Are you using marine grade 10W-30 or heavier oil?
 
I am currently running Mobil-1 full synthetic 10W-30. Now my wheels are starting to spin! I always used the Honda oil prior to this oil change! My oil levels have not decreased at all.... But I did have an issue with an Ho2 sensor immediately following the oil-change/100 hour service!


I always just wash the stains off after every fishing trip. I am going out tomorrow morning to catch Mr. Wahoo! After I catch him, i will check the motors again. Perhaps this is an oil issue!

Paul
 
Well, good luck on the wahoo. Where are you fishing? I know that there is a good wahoo run going on at Hatteras and out of Oregon Inlet.

It is my understanding that switching from petroleum-based oils to synthetic is not a problem for newer engines. However, for older engines, there can be a problem with the various oil seals since they were not engineered to deal with the higher detergent levels found in synthetics. I honestly don't know where the Honda J35A3 engine falls on that issue.

Locally, I've had two different shops recommend switching from Honda 10W-30 to Mercury Marine 25W-40 once the engine is out of warranty. The theory is that the heavier oil leaves a better residue on the moving parts between uses, especially the thrust bearings. I've made that switch on my 2007 BF 225 with 2000 hours.

If, for some reason you're blowing oil out of your exhaust, even a small amount, that would explain the problems you are having with the HO2 sensor.
 
I am fishing out of West Palm Beach, Fl. The wahoo bite has been outstanding the last several days!

I am going to do an early oil change, to the Mercury 25W-40, I have heard this before from my local dealer.

The HO2 sensor issue is a bit perplexing! I have blown thru 3 sensors in the last year and a half. Is there anyway of cleaning the sensors? Any comparable sensor that is not $250?

Paul
 
No substitute for the HO2 sensor that I am aware of.

I think it's a good move to the petroleum-based Merc 25W-40, especially with you being in Florida.

Going through three HO2 sensors in 1.5 years is not good at all, especially for a 2008 BF 225. Are you sure it's a 2008 model? The Serial Numbers up to mid-2007 models ran to 1500324 for the BAGJ and to 1500022 for the BAHJ. Those with those serial numbers and below had a problem with the exhaust tubes that allowed water to get too far up there and blow the HO2 sensors. You need to refer to Honda Service Bulletin 56.

Two other things that will contribute to blowing the HO2 sensor - (1) the engine exhausts must be at least 5.9 inches above the water line at rest, and (2) when cranking the engine, do not stop cranking until it starts.
 
Today no staining! it was a solid 3-5' sea... Made for a quick trip as Mr. Wahoo, did not want to play!

BAHJ 1500430
BAGJ 1501302

TRX 125, thanks for the link, I found a new supplier!

Paul
 
I've been exceptionally pleased with boats.net over the years. They seem to always have the parts I need, prices are the best I've found, and they ship fast.
 
Sorry to hear Mr. Wahoo was suffering a case of lock jaw.

Based on multiple posts on this forum and several others, none of the big Honda engines seem to like Denso plugs. I've never even tried them, strictly NGK plugs.

BTW - based on your SN's, it appears that your engines were indeed produced in 2008. So, that means that you have the upgraded exhaust tubes that make it more difficult for ingested water to blow the HO2 sensor, and you likely have the improved lower cowling that throws more water on the mid-shaft bushing to keep it from failing early. Still recommend inspecting it closely with every impeller change.

So, the interesting question is how come you've had to replace the HO2 sensors multiple times? My late 2007 BF 225 (BAGJ-1500767) with 2000 hours has never needed a replacement HO2 sensor.
 
Back
Top