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BF 130 Fuel Problem

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Yoelage

New member
So my 2002 Honda 130 sat for a couple months this winter i took it out this past weekend it started right up. Took it out in the bay and it started to sputter a lil but it ran for about an hour then it just stopped. Fuel gage said half a tank left but it could have been off so Sea Tow gave me some gas and it started right up and it ran fine for about 500 yards then stopped again. I could never get the primer ball full or tight after that. Since then I replaced fuel/water filter after the tank I cleaned out the engines fuel/water filter replaced the primer bulb and gas is finally getting to the motor but I can see a few air bubbles in the engines fuel lines after the engines fuel/water filter. The primer bulb is finally tight But still when I try to start it it'll kick on and run for about 3 to 4 seconds than give out. I've checked the fuel tank vent it's clean I can't find any leaks in any of the lines. Any ideas what I can try next? I appreciate any and all advice. - Joel
 
OK, Gotchya!

Sorry to hear you're having problems.

I have more questions than answers at this point so lets get started.

Are you pulling the fuel from a tank IN the hull or from a portable one?

If you are using fuel from an in hull tank, do you park the boat outside?

I think you may see where I am going with this. Because, it sounds as if you may have contaminated fuel. If you are not sure....you NEED to get sure about the quality of the fuel you're feeding the outboard.

Find your carburetor drain screws and THOROUGHLY drain the carbs. Then, hook up FRESH, CLEAN fuel and use the primer bulb to "purge" the fuel lines by leaving the drain screws open and allowing a pint or so to continue come out. Make sure you do this outside and away from sparks or heat sources. A fire extinguisher nearby is always advisable.

If you drain the contents of the carbs into a clear container, you should be able to readily see any water or small debris that may be causing you problems. Just allow the "sample" to sit for a few minutes and if there is a "ball" or more of water at the bottom then you have found your culprit.

Then try and run it again on the CLEAN fuel to see if there is any improvement.

You say the primer bulb will now get hard. But, does it STAY hard or does it start to soften up a bit as the engine runs and then stalls?

Your statement about seeing bubbles in the fuel lines may indicate you have an air leak in one of the connections or in the filter housing. You will need to find that and fix it. It can be a pain since, if the leak is on the SUCTION side of the primer bulb, it won't leak fuel but it WILL pull in air.

I use two methods for finding air leaks....smoke from a smoke machine....something you probably don't have.....and/or REGULATED compressed air and SOAP SOLUTION. I use a shop air compressor with an air pressure regulator set to less than 10 psi. I soak whatever I want to test with dish soap solution and then use a rubber tipped air gun to deliver the air through the fuel line or through a fitting at the filter housing. Of course, you will need to block off the inlet side of the housing or hose to keep the air from escaping into the tank.

You can actually test this way effectively just using LUNG power as long as you aren't trying to fill too large a space with air. For example, you can soap a fuel line, pinch off one end, and then blow into the other and watch for bubbles. But, shop air is much easier and more effective.

If you don't uncover any leaks OUTSIDE of the tank doesn't mean there aren't any leaks. You could have a cracked pickup tube INSIDE the tank that will suck in air and stop the engine. It doesn't take much! That's why it is always good to have a portable tank that's in good shape to pull fuel from as a "reserve" even if you have a large, in hull, fuel tank. The 3 gallon portable is a great troubleshooting tool.

I hope you get some fore Ideas from the guys. Keep us posted on what you try and what you find.
I will be standing by.
Good luck.
 
Yes the boat is outside on a lift un covered. I just picked up a 3 gallon portable tank so I will try that tonight and see if I can't identify whether the problem is on the motor side or the in hull tank side. Your recommendations sound great and I have everything you mentioned to try so ill will work through each solution you gave and post back my findings. I appreciate the help!!!
 
Jimmy is probably right on regarding the fuel being bad....however, since it is fuel injected, you should drain the vapor separator into a glass jar and see what the fuel looks like.

The drain is a small nipple just to the left of your low pressure fuel filter and water separator. There is a small black screw near the nipple. Tip the engine up some and drain it. Part #5. http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Honda/Outboard Engine/2004/BF130A4 LA/VAPOR SEPARATOR/parts.html

Once you look at the fuel, flush the whole system (especially if the fuel looks bad) but squeezing the fuel bulb and letting it drain out the nipple. As the fuel quality improves, you should be able to see the difference when the good fuel starts coming out.

There is also a high pressure filter, #38 that should be changed every two or three years or 400 hours (whichever comes first). Most likely, this filter may have never been changed. It just takes removing three screws and the end plate #29 to get to it. There is a bolt (need a 10mm socket) in that plate. You should remove that bolt, with a rag held over it to minimize splash, to relieve the fuel pressure before you remove the plate to the high pressure filter.

One other thing to check to be sure that the safety landyard is in place.

Bottom line, it does sound like bad fuel. Just not sure why the bulb would not get hard, except for debris stuck in the vapor separator float needle valve, something wrong with the bulb or fuel source.....or you were holding the bulb with the arrow pointing down. Squeeze bulbs work best when you squeeze it holding it with the arrow pointing straight up.

Mike
 
The problem was definitely bad gas. Although I replaced all the lines filters etc... Final solution was draining the gas out of the engine. It was orange in color and full of water and crud. Once I drained it released the pressure and ran new gas thru it, it ran like a champ. Thanks guys for your help.
 
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