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honda 90 v-tec

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speedskiff

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my 90 v-tec will not start or run with cover on. runs fine with cover off, seems simple, all air passages are clear, no loose wires. put cover on and engine dies recent fuel contamination, all new filters, clean fuel. good idle, good top end... any ideas ??
 
This is a sort of "classic" symptom of an under hood exhaust gas leak. With the cover on, the gases not exiting through the proper exhaust plumbing quickly build up and overwhelm the intake system with the "inert" exhaust gas which is not conducive to combustion and displaces the oxygen needed to fire the fuel. Take the hood off, engine seems to run normally.

I don't know this engine so I can't offer any easy fixes. However, if you find the leak and get it repaired, your engine should be back to it's previous performance.

Good luck.
 
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I hadn't given exhaust a thought. I had taken the side covers off for service and some cosmetic repair after "Sandy" Storm. I think you have the answer.. I will let you know. Thanks for the quick reply
 
Clearly check out the exhaust as Jimmy recommended. However, it seems to me if exhaust was the problem, the engine would at least start.

Couple of years ago a friend had the same problem with an old Evinrude. Turned out that when the cover went on, it move a loose ground wire and broke the ground connection, thus no start at all.
 
Chawk man raises a good point. I did not catch the part about not starting. It SHOULD start with the cover on even with an exhaust leak.

Does it crank with the cover on?
 
Thanks Guys, you're all right. Took side covers off , crankcase rubber hose ( exhaust ? ) was disconnected... Replaced, reinstalled covers, engine starts , runs fine..... Now I guess I should have stated that this motor was sunk for (3) three days upside down on a 21 " seaway" C/C ... Honda engine survived, no water in crankcase, actuall started after a good clean up . And yes there are still issues..... some sensors are junk, i think.... anyway: I never tried a website before.... I am inpressed and thankfull. Nice Job !!!!!
 
Welcome to the forum. You'll find a bunch of helpful folks here that monitor the posts.

And, yes, it would have been helpful had you gave us the full story.
 
Well, I'm sorta stumped to be honest. I don't see how a CRANKCASE VENT HOSE being loose could cause the engine not to start. I suppose it is possible that the crankcase gasses, having less than ideal quantities of oxygen, could cause the engine to run poorly and maybe even die but I would think that the engine would at least start and then gradually sputter to a stop.

Yes, speedskiff, welcome aboard the forum. But I really don't know how much, if anything, to do with the engine running. I'm afraid that you will probably be finding out soon enough that all is not well under the hood but you seem to know some things could be contaminated so I hope you can get it all sorted out with a minimum of hassle out on the water.

Good luck and check back in if you find anything else that would enlighten others about dealing with a motor that took a swim.
 
Did you pull the starter and get the water out of the flywheel area? If you do not get it out and at least spray some lubricant (wd40, motorkote, etc) in there afterwards, the crankshaft will begin to rust. It then can mess up the crankshaft seal, creating an oil leak into the flywheel area. Besides the oil leak, it can kill the starter (yours is now or will be toast in the future anyway due to the submersion).

The official way is to remove the powerhead and then clean the area. I have had success adapting a small hose to a shop vac which allows access to just about any part of the flywheel housing.

Mike
 
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