Throttle Boxes.

[Tiger]

I use / have used a number of boats with Honda engines and I'm fed up with the throttle boxes that:
A.) Vibriting open and fall away from their mounting point
B.) The key falling out
C.) The key mechanism wearing out

So I'm writing this for two reason:
1.) To see if people have other solutions
2.) In the vain hope that someone at Honda will read it and do something about it, at no cost to the customer!!!

The engines themselves are good though the older designs are heavier than the 2nd / 3rd generation they are tough and reliable, to the extent I know of one dealer that says in his PoV they don't go wrong enough, its only damage repairs.

A
I have used the console mounted (posh stainless) throttles on the Camel Ribs and they are very nice, but I have used the side mounted throttles boxes on over a dozen boats and they all vibrate apart making the throttle arm wiggle around, which if caught early enough is easy to fix with a screwdriver, but it has to be checked every other day on early models now after some 5 years of use.
This is really anoying when driving along and the throttle comes away from the boat in your hand!
I guess other people have this problem, perhaps you can share the sollutions?

B
The key just falls out, i have to tie it to the boat so it does not float off down the trunks

C
After years of use the ignition fails, so a starter button is now used on some.

Now I accept that wear and tear brings these isues, but, I don't have the problem on evinrude, susuzi, mariner or Yamaha.
Can someone at Honda get on the case as this is the only weakness in their product!

Tiger

[matiboy]

is it bolts/screws that are vibrating loose ? as there are various locktight type products which should guard against this type of problem

drop or two on each screw / bolt should help

next problem key falling out, elastic band I think ?

[Tiger 2]

Yes its the nuts & bolts that come from Honda. We have tried differnet things, but not lock nuts as the boats have gone through the cables frequently as used 7 days a week all year.

Key is held on a piece of string now, its just annouying that a manufacturer of in general a very good product is let down by this and has made no effort to fix it on new engines some 6 years+ later.

Will carry on bodging it!!!

Tiger

[Richard B]

If the nuts/bolts work loose, why not try either a pair of nuts locked against each other (use thin open-ended spanner to hold the first whilst tightening the second). Or, if there's not enough room to do that, replace the oem nut with a nylock nut (nut with a plastic insert)? Both these methods can be removed, but are virtually unshakeable.

[Charles]

I think everyone is missing the point. Tiger is incensed with Honda and is hoping that they as manufacturers sort out their throttle arrangements because they are not up to the job. Get a Honda rep to take a look at this thread.

[Richard B]

Charles,

I reckon Tiger had two reasons for writing...

Originally posted by Tiger
I'm writing this for two reason:
1.) To see if people have other solutions
2.) In the vain hope that someone at Honda will read it and do something about it, at no cost to the customer!!!

I (and others) were answering about point one....

You're talking about point two


Oh, it's nearly 9 o'clock. I'd better go and be beligerent professionally
(JK - your server clock is nearly 20 mins fast!!)

[Charles]

Originally posted by Pepper
Charles,

I reckon Tiger had two reasons for writing...
I (and others) were answering about point one....
You're talking about point two
(JK - your server clock is nearly 20 mins fast!!)

Point taken Richard....trust you to pick up on the clock!

[Brian]

I noticed the clock ages ago.
I just thought I was living in the future.

Brian (Ozzie) Elliott

[Tiger]

Thanks for confirming the best way to sort that out.

Just hope Honda raise their game as its a small, but anouying issue.

Tiger