Honda 2002 130 hp starting problems

[Sea_Slueth]

I have twin 130 2002 engines.
Last year (right around my switch to E10) the port engine wouldn't immediately start.

I would have to turn the ignition on for 6-14 seconds at a time for a series of 10-15 times, sometimes up to 15 minutes before it would start to want to start then actually start. Strong starters! I would also pump the primer ball to ensure gas was getting in. The weird thing, is the port ball always needed more pumps then the starboard ball , which always started.

I took the service manual and went through the entire trouble shooting guide down to switching the ECM from the other engine. There was still no success.


I took the boat in this year to a Honda mechanic and explained the above to him.

He redid the plugs, checked timing, then went through the entire process with Honda itself. With each checkpoint, Honda would send him a new item to see if it was the problem, all the way down to a new , injectors and ECM.
Of course, he did not charge me for any of those parts as they were not the problem, he was just adding a new part to see if it was an intermittent problem. If the problem still existed, he returned the part to Honda and received the next one in line.....

Finally, Honda sent him a Fuel Pressure Regulator and it appeared to be the fix, however, both he and Honda were surprised as a regulator either works or does not work. They don't work intermitently.

Well, I got the boat back and the problem still existed, but not as severe.

I trailer my boat and often store the boat with the engines up.
My concern with the primer ball needing more pumps, or always seeming empty when I initially went to start the problem engine caused me to start keeping the problem engine in the down position. I am also running stabil through the tanks.

With the engine in the down position, the ball fills fuller. Could there be a vapor lock leak?

In regard to fuel supply, both engines feed of the same tanks so I would think if the e-10 was the issue, both would have problems.

The mechanic is cool and has not even charged me for the fuel regulator yet and I am going to bring it back soon. But I am just curious if anyone has any other issue that is similar.

Oh yeah, it is only a cold start. Once she starts up, and runs for even 3 minutes, she starts fine. Which leads me to the fuel supply issue.

Thoughs?

Thanks..

 

[hondadude]

Re: Honda 130 starting problems

You did not say if he did anything with the vapor separator. When you squeeze your fuel bulb, you are just filling up the vapor separator. The vapor separators are both the same size so, either your bulbs are differing in strength or something is up with the vapor separators.

Again, this probably has already been tried, but have you flip flop the fuel lines and bulbs between the two engines? If the problem follows the bulb, it is the bulb and/or fuel line. If it stays with the engine, then you probably has something going on diffenently between the two vapor separators.

The fuel bulb may not even be part of the runability issue, but it does sound like it bothers you...

I also assume he has changed the high and low pressure fuel filters.

It is interesting that this problem only exists at initial startup.

I looks like I have more questions than you do?

The good news is...if your dealer is working with his District Service Manager, he has been around for a while and knows his stuff.

Mike

 

[Sea_Slueth]

Re: Honda 130 starting problems

Yes, I switched the fuel lines between the engines and the problem remained with the engine.

Yes, all filters on engine are new, all fuel water seperators are cleaned.

I'll call him and ask about the vapor seperators.........

Yes, the mechanic is a good guy and doesn't want to charge me until the problem is fixed. He says he gets at least one engine a year that makes him scratch his head.............