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Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 20 May 2019, 18:00
by billysince1976
Dear members, I now realised that I was a bit over passionate about the sibbing rather than learn more before taking any action, however my mind is overwhelmed with me take my 8 year old son enjoy the freedom on sea. Anyway, my very first outboard Honda BF6 will be delivered tomorrow by UPS, I ordered from marinehonda.com a Honda dealer based at Norfolk, other than the excitement to know that it will be here tomorrow, panic starts to kick in, gosh! I know nothing about outboards, I even wanted to cancel the order and order again from a local dealer in their shop so at least someone can show me some essential knowhow for me to start with. I tried to search online and YouTube but nothing like “what to do when receiving a new outboard”. Yeah, what to do when I receive the outboard, I downloaded the outboard manual, apart from very technical details of each parts, there was no instructions to address what to do from opening the box... Should I test the outboard at a wheel bin filled with water? What to look for if it is a faulty outboard. Talking of faulty outboard, I see many member recommend Suzuki, Yamaha, Mercury or Tohatsu, but rarely mentioned Honda, is it true that Honda has many issues than other brands? As mentioned mine is a portable one only 6HP.
Many thanks in advance!
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 20 May 2019, 18:15
by chris moody
It will probably be delivered with the sump oil drained so make sure to fill with the correct amount of oil.
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 20 May 2019, 18:18
by ChrisParish
Then feel free to run it in a bin full of water for a few minutes. Somewhere in the manual it will detail the run-in procedure but it boils down to run it gently for the first 10 hours.
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 20 May 2019, 20:46
by harrison
Nothing wrong with Hondas, and the 6hp is a fine motor. We have a 2.3hp tiddler which has been great
Nothing wrong with distance buying either. Just check for any damage (packaging included) on delivery. As already mentioned will be delivered drained of engine oil...hopefully dealer will have included a bottle of Honda outboard oil in the box. Gearbox will usually be already filled with oil. So really just add engine oil, fuel, place in water and fire up.
Good idea to run in a wheely bin filled with water. Make sure water level is well above water intakes and a steady stream of water is flowing from tell tale after start up.
Enjoy your new motor.
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 20 May 2019, 21:37
by billysince1976
Thank you guys, I feel a bit confident now, thumb up for this forum!
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 21 May 2019, 06:15
by Roy54
@billysince1976 have a look on YouTube "Suzuki 6hp unboxing and first run"!
I think the best bit of advice for me was " take your time "
Happy boating
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 21 May 2019, 09:51
by sparerib
Check for damage, it should be shiny new and immaculate.
Make a note of the serial number, take some photos....and add it to your insurance
Mount it on something and put engine oil in, pull it over a couple (or more) times let the oil settle and check the level, top up as required.
Sit back and have a squint through the manual......Check how you can store it , which way to lie it down (important)
Running in a barrel or clean wheely bin is ok, for short periods. Just make sure the level is above the water intake......don't forget to add fuel and a kill cord and turn the fuel on if it has a shut off lever (thats caught me out)
If it has an external tank, loosen off the bleed valve....continues to catch me out
Get it on the boat adjust the mounting height, so the cavitation plate is inline with the lowest point of the transom, again its in the manual....and on the water, personally I would make a decent(I use chain) tether to fasten it to the transom if the clamps loosen...which they do it won't fall far or be lost
Take your time running it in, details should be in the manual, for a Yamaha its varying speeds upto 2000rpm for an hour, second hour up on to the plane and then back off, next 8 hours as you like but avoid wot for longer than 5 mins can't imagine Honda will be much different.
Enjoy...
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 21 May 2019, 17:04
by billysince1976
Roy54 wrote: ↑21 May 2019, 06:15
@billysince1976 have a look on YouTube "Suzuki 6hp unboxing and first run"!
I think the best bit of advice for me was " take your time "
Happy boating
Thanks, Roy! I have watched it helps!
Re: Newbie to outboard what to do first
Posted: 21 May 2019, 17:05
by billysince1976
sparerib wrote: ↑21 May 2019, 09:51
Check for damage, it should be shiny new and immaculate.
Make a note of the serial number, take some photos....and add it to your insurance
Mount it on something and put engine oil in, pull it over a couple (or more) times let the oil settle and check the level, top up as required.
Sit back and have a squint through the manual......Check how you can store it , which way to lie it down (important)
Running in a barrel or clean wheely bin is ok, for short periods. Just make sure the level is above the water intake......don't forget to add fuel and a kill cord and turn the fuel on if it has a shut off lever (thats caught me out)
If it has an external tank, loosen off the bleed valve....continues to catch me out
Get it on the boat adjust the mounting height, so the cavitation plate is inline with the lowest point of the transom, again its in the manual....and on the water, personally I would make a decent(I use chain) tether to fasten it to the transom if the clamps loosen...which they do it won't fall far or be lost
Take your time running it in, details should be in the manual, for a Yamaha its varying speeds upto 2000rpm for an hour, second hour up on to the plane and then back off, next 8 hours as you like but avoid wot for longer than 5 mins can't imagine Honda will be much different.
Enjoy...
Bless you for such informative go through, awesome!