Engine won't start

Brambles · 04 August 2004, 10:45

Hi

The Honda 225 outboard stalled & then failed to start yesterday. This is the second time in a fortnight. The engine turns over but won't fire. The warning lights by the ignition switch don't light up to indicate a problem with the engine.

Obviously it could be many things but the Honda dealers say they have had no problems with this particular model, so I am assuming at this stage that it is not the engine.

Does anyone think it sounds like a problem with the kill cord switch? Is there an easy way to isolate this switch for testing purposes? Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

corrie · 04 August 2004, 10:59

had the engine been running for a while before it stalled?

Brambles · 04 August 2004, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrie

had the engine been running for a while before it stalled?

As far as I know it had - I wasn't on the boat when it happened - but they were out on the water at the time so I assume it had been running for 20 mins at least.

Brambles · 04 August 2004, 19:15

Latest diagnosis:

Martin called out Seastart, who got hold of Honda. They said told him to take out the spark plugs to see if there is any trace of fuel on them. Sure enough, they were very damp with unbunt petol. A quick dry off and clean did the trick and the engine fired first time. Martin has ordered a new set of plugs and Honda have told him that this will solve the problem.

Does this sound correct? I am surprised that a 7 month old engine, with full service history, should foul its plugs. I'm no engineer, but I wonder if this fouling is a side effect of another problem - ignition/kill cord switch perhaps - and then turning the engine over many times & flooding the cylinder heads.

We are taking the boat back to from Salcombe to Poole on Sunday and are a little worried about the problem recurring. Whilst we have an aux engine, we would prefer to do the trip at 40knts rather than 4!

Any comments would be welcomed.

Cheers.

corrie · 05 August 2004, 09:18

I wouldn't thought that all the plugs would have gone bad at the same time but maybe thats the way it goes with that type off engine , I work on the principal if the power loss is instant it's most likely electrical if it gradual and stutters alot before it dies its usually a fuel problem , at least you know how to get it going again if it dies on you .. it sounds like the sort of fault that will only happen when your running at speed and not when its chuggin over in the marina ... my gut instict would be the coil as the plugs would still give a spark even with alot of crud on them .. if it dies on you on sunday turn it over with the plugs out and check your getting a decent spark before and after you clean them .. hope thats some help to you.

Jono · 05 August 2004, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrie

... my gut instict would be the coil .

How many "coils" on this engine?

Brambles · 05 August 2004, 11:53

Thanks for your replies guys.

Honda are 100% certain that it is a bad batch of plugs. We shall see later today when a new set arrive and the dealer fits them.

Cheers.

Ian.