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timgeary

New member
I have a 1997 90hp that I can't keep started. Carbs have just been rebuilt. I can get it to crank and give it gas, but when I back off to idle it stalls. I was told there was spark in 2&3 and no spark in 1&4. First, would that cause it to not keep idling, and Second, does anybody know what part that is, there are two parts for the coil, one seems to be shorter than the other, I am not at the boat to look. So one coil sparks 2&3 and the other 1&4.

Thanks,
Tim
 
Hi Tim,

As I have mentioned elsewhere, Honda electrics are generally reliable, and they dont usually fail after a carby clean. I would go back to basics, check spark in darkened area, then revisit the carby clean.

cheers
John
 
I had it checked with a spark tester and that is what it showed. Not sure if I just replace the coil, buy the longer one just in case it is needed but I am sure it would work for the shorter cable, that seems to be the only difference.

The carbs were rebuilt by a "professional" boat repair shop so I assume they were done right. He did say they were pretty gunked up so he had to soak them in cleaner for a while.

Tim
 
Hi Tim,

I am a little confused here, a "professional" boat repair shop would have repaired the carbs, fitted them and then tuned them with vacuum gauges, so what went wrong here. Didnt they complete the repair?
Also you havnt advised us why you needed to clean them in the first place. It sounds like there is more to this story than you are telling us here.
At the risk of repeating myself, Honda electrics dont generally fail for no reason, and it is even less likely they would fail after a carby clean.
If the motor was working ok and just needed a carby clean, it should be fine now.
The spark tester that was used could have possibly had too greater gap to see the spark. You could check easily with the plugs fitted and crank over in darkened area to see the spark. You could also use an inductive timing light to confirm the spark being there or not.
It is possible one of the others here may have some other ideas as well.


Good luck
John
 
No they didn't complete the repair. That is the issue. A little background. The carbs have never been rebuilt since I owned the boat for 6+ years and have put 500 hours on it. I live in florida, so ethanol becomes a bigger issue. The boat sat over the winter and I went to start it and could not get to idle, if I gave it gas it would stay started for a while but then putter out. I called a previous engine guy (who no longer lives in the area) and he told me probably one of the needle on the carbs is stuck, try banging it a little. If not, then the carbs are probably the issue.

So I called around and found a shop that does mobile and shop work. I wanted the 100 hour service and told him my issue. He told me he would look at the carbs. Upon inspection he said the carbs need rebuilt and cleaned. He rebuilt the carbs (said he had to soak them for 2 days because they were so gunked up) then told me there was an issue with the electrical system because he said he got no spark. So I tried starting and got the same issue as before, would start (so there is spark) but putter out. He tried again and said 2/3 have spark but 1/4 do not. He said there was spark before he started but not now and stuff breaks. He doesn't have the ability to trace honda electrical problems, does not have the code reader.

So he left me high and dry. So, it might be a loose connection. But I was thinking it might be the coil because the other 2 plugs are getting spark. Any ideas why the engine would not stay started is appreciated. And I did change the gas in the tank and add stabil and star-brite.

Tim
 
Hi Tim,

OK we have a lot more of the story now, but I am still inclined to think it is a fuel problem, not a spark issue. It IS possible it is an electrical problem BUT I have seen many times "expert marine mechanics" do carby cleans and they are still not clean, the small jets inside need to be replaced if they are very dirty as it is not possible to clean them correctly. If you are not convinced with what I have said, try swapping the coils around and see if the "failing" coil works. The mechanic told you there was spark at the start but "apparently " not now.....oh and by the way there is no code reader for the carby Hondas.
Please try yourself to check for spark, just put plugs in leads with the body of the plug touching the frame. You need to do all plugs at once, and crank motor over in a dark area(at night?) and know if it is faulty or not. I think your mechanic may be leading you astray.

Good luck, please keep us informed of what you find

Cheers
John
 
Hi timgeary,

I won't be of much help here other than to say that I think dinghyworld (John) is giving you some good advice. Your mechanic didn't get the carbs cleaned properly in all likelihood and probably owes you a refund as well.

In addition, it's possible that he may have actually damaged your carburetors when he "soaked them for two days". It would depend on what type and strength of solvent that he used. Since it does start, they're probably ok but I would be concerned until I knew for sure.

These Honda carbs won't tolerate harsh cleaners because they are not all metal. I clean them all the time and only use mild spray solvents. For the most part, WD-40 works just fine with the occasional need for some carb and choke cleaner from the auto parts store. Honda recommends using ultra-sonic cleaners and no solvents at all.

I'm not the "perfect" mechanic by any stretch and I make my share of mistakes. But, I don't screw my customers when I do and I make it right. It's a shame there are so many "hacks" out there passing themselves off as outboard mechanics. I'm afraid you are going to have search out a decent tech that knows how to properly clean and synchronize Honda carburetors to sort out your engine problem. We feel your pain.
 
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