Kick Starting a Honda 2hp Outboard

[WeekendSailor]

Hello all,
I have a feeling that I am not the only sailor who has been using their dinghy’s outboard as a stern rail decoration for several years. In my case the last time I used it was in August, 2009, despite my hopes to find a scenic anchorage and use the dinghy to do a little upstream exploring during the sailing season, we keep ending up at marinas for overnights. Last October at the end of the sailing season, I tried to start it but after several tugs on the starting cord I gave up.

In hopes that this year will be different, today I overhauled my Honda 2hp outboard and started it for the first time in over two years - easily. Knowing that it was going to be a frustrating effort to get the motor running smoothly this afternoon; I stopped by Fawcett's Boat Supply in Annapolis, MD yesterday and purchased a new carburetor and then stopped by a small private airport and purchased a half gallon of jet fuel, as aviation fuel does not contain any ethanol and has an octane rating of 100% the engine loved it. Aviation gas may not be the best for everyday usage but for bringing and old rarely used outboard back to life it is great, motor started on the third pull.

I hope you find this suggestion helpful.

WeekEnd Sailor

[HopCar]

Sounds like propane outboards were made with you in mind. They can sit unused for very long periods of time and still start right up.
Did you really use jet fuel or do you mean you used Av gas for recip engines?
Why do you think the Av Gas helped?

[Sailmonkey]

I would tend to believe the new carb did far more than the avgas.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by WeekendSailor

Hello all,
I have a feeling that I am not the only sailor who has been using their dinghy’s outboard as a stern rail decoration for several years. In my case the last time I used it was in August, 2009, despite my hopes to find a scenic anchorage and use the dinghy to do a little upstream exploring during the sailing season, we keep ending up at marinas for overnights. Last October at the end of the sailing season, I tried to start it but after several tugs on the starting cord I gave up.

In hopes that this year will be different, today I overhauled my Honda 2hp outboard and started it for the first time in over two years - easily. Knowing that it was going to be a frustrating effort to get the motor running smoothly this afternoon; I stopped by Fawcett's Boat Supply in Annapolis, MD yesterday and purchased a new carburetor and then stopped by a small private airport and purchased a half gallon of jet fuel, as aviation fuel does not contain any ethanol and has an octane rating of 100% the engine loved it. Aviation gas may not be the best for everyday usage but for bringing and old rarely used outboard back to life it is great, motor started on the third pull.

I hope you find this suggestion helpful.

WeekEnd Sailor

I believe jet fuel and avgas are two different animals. Avgas is the goooo.

[donradcliffe]

Some of the fuel docks are starting to sell ethanol-free gas for a premium--stock up if you can find it.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

I believe jet fuel and avgas are two different animals. Avgas is the goooo.

Exactly, jet fuel is kerosine, avgas is petrol.

[sailorboy1]

seems for all the work you could have cleaned the carb instead of replacing it

[Dulcesuenos]

The Honda bf2 has incredibly small jets which get clogged easily bit can be cleaned and blown out just as easily. I used to start and run mine monthly on the rail no water just to ensure no gumming up

[Tellie]

Gotta agree with Don Lucas and Sailmonkey.