Outboard stalls @ high rpm w/o choke

[kwaltersmi]

I tinkered around with the dink and my 2hp Honda 4-stroke yesterday at the river behind our house and found that the little outboard starts and runs good, but then stalls at high rpm/full throttle if the choke isn't pulled all the way out. She idles right down to a pur with the choke in and the throttle backed off, but if I give more than half throttle it stalls without the choke. I ran it for a good 45 mins, so I know it warmed up properly. Any ideas?

[CharlieCobra]

It sounds like the carb needs cleaned or rebuilt. If it's stalling at WOT with the choke in, then it's not getting enough fuel which means it won't develop it's rated HP under load.

[dabnis]

Kwalter,

I had the same engine for a number of years and it was bullet-proof, except when I forgot to drain the carb before laying it up for the winter. Before you pull the carb you might try adding about 5 or 6 ounces of Berrymans B-12 fuel additive to a tank full of fuel. Be carefull with it as it can melt some plastics and paint. After running it for a while with the additive in the fuel let it sit for a few days so the additive can work. No affiliation with Berrymans, just a user for many years. Use at your own risk. Another possible problem could be a small air leak in the carb/ manifold joint.

Dabnis

[dabnis]

Kwalter,

Sorry, forgot this, I think there was a small in-line filter which may be partially plugged?

Dabnis

[sailingdog]

My guess is the jets are clogged. The small four-stroke engines have pretty fine jets for the carbs...and it is easy to clog them if you don't filter your fuel carefully.

[kwaltersmi]

Thanks guys. I'll check the fuel filter and then onto the carb or possibly a fuel system cleaner first. I've always hear from others high simple and reliable small outboards are, but of the three I've owned, none have ever run perfectly.

[dabnis]

It would be interesting to know what you find, also what type of problems and solutions, if any, you had with previousl motors. I have had many outboards, mostly 2 strokes, for over 60 years with very few, easily fixed problems. Always interested in other people's problems and solutions to learn from.

Thanks, Dabnis

[kwaltersmi]

Well, I had a 1960's Johnson 9.9hp that had a choke that would vibrate open and a gear jumping problem. I also had a 8hp Nissan (1992) that started easily and reliably, but would rev to high rpm's in neutral and didn't like dead slow (stalling issues). This too was probably a carb issue, but I sold the motor (and boat!) before I had time to address it.

I checked the Honda owner's manual and there's no mention of the fuel filter and I don't easily see one with the cowl removed. Based on my own knowledge and what's been said here, I'm sure I have a dirty/plugged carb. I'll likely just take the little outboard to my local service shop and have the carb cleaned, if they don't quote me an outrageous price. I'd try the Berryman's first but it seems like that will just loosen the sludge and I'll still need it blown out of the jets so I might as well have the shop pull the carb, soak it, blow it and hope that does the trick.

So far I've loved the little Honda so I hope this isn't the start of reliability issues.

[deniseO30]

I had the same engine..same prob. put straight gumout in the tank ran it long enough for the gumout to get in the carb.. Let it sit a couple of days.. added gas, it was fine and ran without the choke at all speeds.

[dabnis]

Kwalters,

IIRC, the filter is inside the fuel line at the tank end. You can't see it from the outside, it's very small in diameter. My engine was an earlier 90's? version.
The Berrymans is hot stuff and will disolve just about anything, better than removing the carb which is a bit of a pain. I have also used Gumout but I think Berrymans is better. Thanks for the feedback on your other engines, very interesting.

Dabnis