Honda 225 rough idle

[gss036]

I had my boat in the shop yesterday for warranty work. The Honda tech from the local shop was at the boat ramp a couple weeks ago and I asked him to listen/look at the engine quickly, which he did. He said I needed to schedule it into the shop for warranty work, which I did. Yesterday, they worked on the boat and the tech called and told me the MAP sensor wasn't reading right and wanted to know if I had ever run the engine at full throttle/ told his yes but not that often, maybe 6-10 times and got 6000 rpms. He checked 5 out of 6 spark plugs and said they looked good and put anti seize on them before reinstalling them. I suspect he did not do the bottom one because of the cowling. He also readjusted the throttle setting on the engine, hoping to get the MAP sensor to work. The tach hour meter was reading 98.8 hrs, the engine computer showed 88 hours. They called HONDA and was told that since the computer did not show anything broke, to leave it alone, add RINGFREE and tell me to run it at high RPM more. Evidently, Honda did not pick up the warranty tab, and I was charged 1/2 hour labor and $23 and change for the ring free.
I was surprised by the action and knowing the shop, I didn't argue, just paid the bill and left. I guess Honda does not believe in their 5 year warranty policy. It will make me leery to take it in next time.

 

[chawk_man]

I'm no a Honda tech, just a user, but I am totally surprised that the tech didn't check the 6th plug. It takes less than five minutes to get that one side of the cowling off. I don't believe normal maintenance (fluid changes, spark plugs, filters, etc. are covered under warranty. However, if the MAP sensor was acting up it should have been tested IAW the shop manual. If the HDS said that the MAP sensor was malfunctioning, then it should have been replaced under warranty.

The advice concerning running the engine at WOT more often is sound. On my 225, after 250 hours, they found metal filings in my oil. Honda replaced the block and oil pump under warranty. When I picked up the boat at the dealer, they told me that I had not broken in the engine well, and HDS showed I only had 2 hours of operation at WOT. Although this had nothing to do with the filings in the oil, they strongly advised me to break in the new block for the first 30 hours, change the fluids, and run it at WOT as much as possible over the next 200 hours or so. I was told that running at WOT helps seat the rings, valves, and bearings for better, more efficient operation. I have followed that advice, and have had no significant issues with the engine. I'm putting 250-300 hours on the engine each year and I'm currently approaching 750 hours in my third season.

At the end of the season, I would have them check the MAP sensor again, and if it has not straightened out, stomp and snort until they do change it.

 

[gss036]

Thanks for the advice. The tech said he tried his best to get Honda to authorize him to do more test but they refused. His comment was that the HONDA Factory Tech was afraid to put his head on the chopping block?
It is not always possible to run at WOT around here as we have a lot of chop on the water it keeps your speed down to about 20mph a lot of time. I have run it up several times, even last week, my wife was w/me and she made the comment to be careful that I don't blow the engine. I can get 6000 RPM and 44-45 MPH at WOT and that can get a little scary on too much chop and the boat gets light in the rear end. I am running a 1989 SeaCraft 23WA and it is not a real heavy boat, maybe 3500-4000 loaded w/fuel and gear.

 

[hondadude]

I hope the tech at least pulled the MAP and cleaned out the passage of intake manifold of any debris. It only takes a couple of minutes and is many times the cause of a poor idle.

That would not be covered under warranty if it got gooed up...just like if you have water in your fuel.

Boating is not fun if it is scary (at least for most people). Just be safe...and...just remember...if momma isn't happy, nobody's happy!

Mike

 

[gss036]

I don't know if he cleaned MAP sensor or not. I have cleaned them on autos, so maybe they are the same. I was thinking that it was something to do with the computer controller since they were interested in me having run the engine at WOT and what ever he was checking said I had never had it at WOT. Which I have a few times, (I get 6000 rpm @45 mph) I think that was when he called HONDA and they told him since the computer did not show anything broke to leave it alone. Hopefully I will get it out this next week and run it some while going out to fish. Over the years I have had couple of friends seize up their V-6 2strokers running a long time at WOT.

 

[chawk_man]

The BF225 MAP sensor is very similar to the one found in most autos, so the same cleaning procedure should work.

Run the darn thing at WOT as much as possible while under warranty. If something fails, it's covered. The Honda 225 is designed to run at WOT as long as you can stand it. 6,000 rpm at WOT is perfect. If you are fishing out of Bellingham, then you should be able to get leeward of some of the islands, and open it up.

But as Mike said, don't make it scary. And don't push anything beyond your comfort level.

 

[Jettywolf]

Ya know....WOT sounds all good and well. Being a cruise at 4200 rpm guy, all the time.
But believe that RPM's can kill....not us as drivers but motors. So no matter what don't over due it.

Don't know if ya have a bunch of snot nosed Coasties in alloy Safeboats, in your area. But I do.
They run either at idle or WOT with twin 225's. And I know a mechanic that works for the company contracted to do all their 225 Honda repairs. Oh the horror stories this guy can tell ya.

Lower units are one of his finest components to talk about. Heck, they keep him working, so he doesn't care. So pull up a chair, cuz you'll be entertained, for sure.

 

[gss036]

I think we only have one 18/20 footer here w/twin Honda's, all the rest have been repowered w/Verados and they to have lots of lower unit problems