Honda 99 Outboard Owners Manual

							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
HARD STARTING OR STALLS 
AFI-ER STARTING Possible Cause Correction 
1. Check control positions. Choke OPEN (tiller-handle type). Pull choke knob to CLOSED position, 
unless engine is warm (p. 14). 
Throttle grip not in START position 
(tiller-handle type). Turn throttle grip to START (p.36). 
Fast idle lever raised (side-mount type). Leave fast idle lever OFF, unless engine 
is warm (p.39). 
2. Check fuel. 1 Fuel vent closed (portable fuel tank). 1 Open fuel tank vent (p.24). 
Fuel hose not primed. 
Fuel pump filter or fuel tank clogged. 
Bad fuel; boat stored without treating or 
draining gasoline, or refueled with bad 
fuel Squeeze priming bulb (p.33). 
Replace fuel filters (p.65). 
Drain fuel tank and carburetors (p.72). 
Refill with fresh gasoline (p.64). 
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							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
HARD STARTING OR STALLS 
AFTER STARTING Possible Cause 
3. Remove and inspect spark plugs. 
Spark plugs faulty, fouled or improperly Clean, gap or replace spark plugs (p. 
gapped. 62). 
4. Take outboard motor to an authorized 
Honda Marine dealer, or refer to the 
shop manual. Carburetor malfunction, fuel pump 
failure, ignition malfunction, etc. 
Correction 
Replace or repair faulty components as 
necessary. 
ENGINE OVERHEATS Possible Cause Correction 
I. Check water intake screens. Water intake screens clogged. Clean water intake screens. 
2. Take outboard motor to an authorized 
Honda Marine dealer, or refer to the 
shop manual. Faulty thermostat or water pump. Replace or repair faulty components as 
necessary. 
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							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
BATTERY WILL NOT 
CHARGE AND 
ELECTRIC STARTER WILL 
NOT OPERATE 
The battery-charging circuit and the 
electric starter relay circuit are protected 
by the 20-ampere fuse. If the fuse bums 
out, the engine will not charge the battery, 
and the electric starter will not operate. 
The engine can be started using the recoil 
starter or the emergency starter repe. 
The ignition switch is protected by the 20- 
ampere fuse. If the fuse bums out, the 
engine will not start or run. 
Fuse Replacement 
1. With the engine stopped, remove the 
engine cover. 
2. Remove the fuse case lid. 3. Remove and inspect the fuses. If a 
fuse is burnt out, install a 
replacement fuse of the specified 
rating. The outboard motor is 
supplied with spare fuses in the fuse 
holders. 
DESIGNATED FUSE: 20A 
Never use a fuse with a rating greater 
than specijied. Serious damage to the 
electrical system could result. 
SPARE 20,A 
FUSE 
BLOWN FUSE 
4. Reinstall the fuse case lid and the 
engine cover. 
Before further operation, try to determine 
and correct the electrical problem that 
caused the fuse to bum out. An 
uncorrected electrical problem may cause 
the fuse to bum out again. 
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							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR 
LIGHT GOES OFF AND 
ENGINE SPEED IS LIMITED 
OIL PRESSURE 
(tiller handle type) (remote control type) 
If oil pressure becomes low, the green 
indicator light will go off, and the engine 
protection system will limit engine speed. 
If you arc at cruising speed, engine speed 
will decrease gradually. 
Remote-control types are equipped with a 
buzzer hat sounds when the green 
indicator light goes off. Low oil pressure may be the result of low 
engine oil level is, or there may bc a 
problem with the engine lubrication 
system. 
If the throttle is closed suddenly after full- 
throttle operation, engine speed may drop 
below the specified idle t-pm, and that 
could activate the engine protection 
system momentarily. 
If low oil pressure activates the engine 
protection system, stop the engine, check 
the engine oil level (p. 55) and add oil if 
needed. 
With the engine oil at the recommended 
level, restart the engine. If the lubrication 
system is OK, the green indicator light 
should come on within 30 seconds, and 
the engine will respond normally to 
throttle grip or control lever operation. 
If the engine protection system remains 
activated after 30 seconds, return to the 
nearest boat landing, and have the 
outboard motor inspected by an 
authorized Honda marine dealer. 
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							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
OVERHEATING INDICATOR 
LIGHT COMES ON AND 
ENGINE SPEED IS LIMITED 
If the engine overheats, the red indicator 
light will come on, and the engine 
protection system will limit engine speed. 
If you are at cruising speed, engine speed 
will decrease gradually. 
Remote-control types are equipped with 
a buzzer that sounds when the red indicator 
light comes on. Engine overheating may be the result of 
clogged water intake screens, or there 
may be a problem with the cooling system 
thermostat or water pump. 
If the engine is stopped after running at 
full throttle, and then restarted soon 
afterward, that could activate the engine 
protection system momentarily. 
COOiING SYSTEM INDICATOR 
If overheating activates the engine 
protection system, idle the engine in 
neutral, and check the cooling system 
indicator. If water is flowing from the cooling 
system indicator, continue idling for 
30 
seconds. If the cooling system is OK, the 
red indicator light should go off within 30 
seconds, and the engine will respond 
normally to throttle grip or control lever 
operation. 
If there is no water flowing from the 
cooling system indicator, stop the engine, 
and tilt the outboard motor to inspect the 
water intake screens. If clogged, clean the 
water intake screens, return the outboard 
motor to the running position, restart the 
engine, and check the cooling system 
indicator again. 
If there is still no water flowing from the 
cooling system indicator, or if the engine 
protection system remains activated after 
30 seconds, return to the nearest boat 
landing, and have the outboard motor 
inspected by an authorized Honda marine 
dealer. 
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							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
SUBMERGED MOTOR 
A submerged outboard motor must be 
serviced immediately after it is recovered 
from the water in order to minimize 
corrosion. 
If there is a Honda marine dearship 
nearby, take the motor to the dealer 
immediately. If you are far from a 
dealership, proceed as follows: 
I. Remove the engine cover, and rinse 
the outboard motor with fresh water 
to remove salt water, sand, mud, etc. 
2. Drain the carburetors as described on 
p.72. 
3. Change the engine oil and oil filter as 
described on p.5657. If there was 
water in the engine crankcase, or if 
the used engine oil showed signs of 
water contamination, then a second 
engine oil change should be 
performed after running the engine 
for half an hour. 
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STARTER GRIP 
4. Remove the spark plugs (p.62), and 
remove the clip from the emergency 
stop or engine switch. Pull the recoil 
starter grip, rotate the flywheel a few 
revolutions to completely expel any 
water from the cylinders. 
If the engine was running when it 
submerged, there may be mechanical 
damage, such as bent connecting 
rods. If the engine binds when 
cranked, do not attempt to run the 
engine until it has been repaired. When cranking the engine with an 
open ignition circuit (spark plugs 
removedfrom the ignition circuit), 
remove the clip from the emergency 
or engine stop switch to prevent 
possible dunrage to the ignition 
system.  
						

							TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS 
5. Pour a teaspoon of engine oil into 
each spark plug hole, then pull the 
recoil starter grip several times to 
lubricate the inside of the cylinders. 
6. Reinstall the spark plugs, and put the 
emergency stop switch clip into the 
switch. 
7. Attempt to start the engine. 8. If the engine fails to start, remove the 
spark plugs, clean and dry them, 
then 
reinstall the spark plugs and attempt 
to start the engine again. 
If the engine starts, and no 
mechanical damage is evident, 
continue to run the engine for a half 
hour or longer. Be sure the water 
level is at least two inches above the 
anticavitation plate to avoid 
overheating and water pump damage. 
As soon as possible, take the 
outboard motor to an authorized 
Honda Marine dealer for inspection 
and service. 
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							TECHNICAL AND CONSUMER INFORMATION 
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 
Serial Number Locations 
Record the product identification number 
and engine serial numbers in the space 
provided on this page. You will need 
these numbers when ordering parts, and 
when making technical or warranty 
inquiries (p. 95). 
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER 
The product identification number is 
stamped on a plate attached on top of the 
stem bracket. 
Product identification number: The engine serial number is stamped on 
the left front of the crankcase. 
Engine serial number: 
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							TECHNICAL AND CONSUMER INFORMATION 
Carburetor Modification for 
High Altitude Operation 
At high altitude, the standard carburetor 
air-fuel mixture will be too rich. 
Performance will decrease, and fuel 
consumption will increase. A very rich 
mixture will also foul the spark plugs and 
cause hard starting. 
High altitude performance can be 
improved by specific modifications to the 
carburetors. If you always operate your 
outboard motor at altitudes above 5,000 
feet (I ,500 meters), have an authorized 
Honda marine dealer perform this 
carburetor modification. Even with carburetor modification, 
engine horsepower will decrease about 
3.5% for each I ,OOO-foot (300-meter) 
increase in altitude. The effect of altitude 
on horsepower will be greater than this if 
no carburetor modification is made. 
I 
I When the carburetors have been mod$ed 
for high altitude operation, the air-fuel 
mixture will be too lean for low altitude 
use. Operation at altitudes below 5,000 
feet (1,500 meters) with modified 
carburetors may cause the engine to 
overheat and result in serious engine 
damage. For use at low altitudes, have an 
authorized Honda Marine dealer return 
the carburetors to original factory 
specifications. 
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							TECHNICAL AND CONSUMER INFORMATION 
Oxygenated Fuels 
Some conventional gasolines are being 
blended with alcohol or an ether 
compound. These gasolines arc 
collectively referred to as oxygenated 
fuels. To meet clean air standards, some 
areas of the United States and Canada USC 
oxygenated fuels to help reduce 
emissions. 
If you use an oxygenated fuel, bc sure it is 
unleaded and meets the minimum octane 
rating requirement. 
Before using an oxygenated fuel, try to 
confirm the fuel’s contents. Some states/ 
provinces require this information to be 
posted on the pump. The following are: the EPA-approved 
percentages of oxygenates: 
ETHANOL: ethyl or grain alcohol; IO% 
by volume. 
You may use gasoline containing up to 
10% ethanol by volume. Gasoline 
containing ethanol may be marketed 
under the name “Gasohol”. 
MTBE: Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether; 
15% by volume. 
You may use gasoline containing up to 
15% MTBE by volume. 
METHANOL: methyl or wood alcohol; 
5% by volume. 
You may use gasoline containing up to 
5% methanol by volume, as long as it also 
contains cosolvents and corrosion 
inhibitors to protect the fuel system. 
Gasoline containing more than 5% 
methanol by volume may cause starting 
and/or performance problems. It may also 
damage metal, rubber, and plastic parts of 
your fuel system. If you notice any undesirable operating 
symptoms, try another service station, or 
switch to another brand of gasoline. 
Fuel system damage or performance 
problems resulting from the use of an 
oxygenated fuel containing more than the 
percentages of oxygenates mentioned 
above are not covered under warranty. 
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