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2010 8hp Trolling

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fishnfowl

New member
I own a 8hp honda that that I use for trolling motor on 20' aluminumn boat.The other day got 20 hour service on the motor at which time I asked the service manager about trolling with the motor and told me for every hour of trolling I should run the motor at wide open throtle for ten minutes.This doesn't seem right to me like if I troll for six hours I have to run this motor for one hour WOT.I usually run it for about five to ten minutes throttle open with big motor running with it.
 
Sounds to me like you are doing the right thing. There's no hard, fast rule for keeping the engine from "carboning" up but running it as you do and perhaps using a good fuel additive such as Sea-Foam or Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner ans checking your spark plug condition every few trips should keep her tip top.
 
Hi Fishnfowl
It sounds like you took your motor to a dealer who hasnt woken up to four stroke outboards yet, and is still dealing with the mind of a two stroke jockey. I actually see this more often than you would expect, mechanics so set in the idea that two strokes are the only way to go, they wont even try to learn.
You dont have to drive your car flat out just beceause you were in a traffic jam for 20 minutes, nor do you have to drive your four stroke outboard flat out just beceause you were idling for a short time. Use the outboard as you need, just make sure it is flushed after use and change the oils often.
Cheers
John
 
Thanks for the reply guys this dealer has been selling Honda motors for thirty years but don't have much faith in the service manager.
 
Just one more thought on keeping an engine that is used primarily as a troller up would be to pay particular attention to the thermostat maintenance. If the thermostat is working properly and keeping adequate heat in the engine, it will be very effective at helping keep the combustion chamber clean. These 8 hp Hondas are pretty easy and inexpensive to do this type of regular upkeep on for a Do-It-Yourselfer.
 
On the maintenance of the thermostat do you mean to take it out every year and clean it or replace it every year or to put a higher temp thermostat in ?
 
The dealer may have been trying to make sure that the you have broken the engine in and the rings where eventually seated. If the engine has not gone through the break in procedure and run pretty hard, your oil will become fuel diluted and that is not good for the engine.

I would change your oil more frequently than the maintenance schedule calls for.

Mike
 
I would recommend replacing the thermostat once every other year if used primarily in fresh water and once a year if operated mostly in salt. There is an anode in the housing to prevent corrosion that I also replace anytime the thermostat is replaced as well as a flushing valve and spring assembly. Having the service manual is also a good idea if you are doing the work yourself. It all falls under "cheap insurance".
 
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