Honda Bf8a Owners Manual

39
To avoid damaging the motor, be very careful when mooring a boat, especially
when its motor is tilted up. Don’t allow the motor to strike against the pier or
other boats.
NOTICE
OPERATION
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SERVICING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE
Proper maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and trouble-free opera-
tion. It will also help reduce air pollution.
To help you properly care for your outboard motor, the following pages include
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and simple mainte-
nance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service tasks that are more
difficult, or require special tools, are best handled by professionals and are
normally...

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MAINTENANCE SAFETY
Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we cannot
warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing mainte-
nance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task.
Safety Precautions
•Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or repairs.
This will eliminate several potential hazards:
— Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.
Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate the engine.
—...

42
TOOL KIT AND SPARE PARTS
The following tools and spare parts are supplied with the outboard motor for
simple maintenance, adjustment, and emergency repairs.
Spare shear pins and cotter pins are located on the stern bracket.
Keep these items on the boat, so they will always be available if you need them.
If your tool kit needs replacement, it is not available as a kit and each item must
be ordered individually.
SERVICING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR
SHEAR PINS COTTER PINS
Tool Kit
Flush Kit (optional...

43 SERVICING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Follow the MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE table and service your outboard
motor accordingly. Please note, a claim for warranty coverage will not be
denied simply because the maintenance schedule for your outboard was not
followed. However, any part(s) that fails specifically due to lack of
maintenance, or improperly performed maintenance, would not be covered
under the  
Distributor’s Limited Warranty.
(1) Lubricate more frequently when used in salt water.
(2)...

44
REFUELING
Fuel tank capacity
3.0 US gal (12 x, 2.6 lmp gal)
Check the fuel gauge and refill the tank to the SAFE FILL LEVEL mark if
necessary.
Remove the fuel tank from the boat for refilling. Turn the vent knob counter-
clockwise to the open position and remove the fuel filler cap.
Refuel in a well-ventilated area. Fill the fuel tank up to the SAFE FILL LEVEL
mark only. Inspect the condition of the fuel filler cap gasket and replace if
necessary.
After refilling, install and tighten the fuel filler...

45 SERVICING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Use unleaded gasoline with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher.
This outboard motor is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. Unleaded
gasoline produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and extends exhaust
system life.
Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil/gasoline mixture. Avoid
getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.
If your outboard will be used on an infrequent or intermittent basis, please refer
to the fuel section of the...

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COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING AND FLUSHING
After each use in salt water or dirty water, thoroughly clean and flush the
outboard motor.
Running the engine without water can cause serious engine damage due to
overheating. Be sure that water flows from the cooling system indicator while
the engine is running. If not, stop the engine and determine the cause of the
problem.
Cleaning and Flushing With the Optional Flush Kit
1. Wash the outside of the outboard motor with clean, fresh water.
2. Attach a hose from a...

47
SERVICING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR
Cleaning and Flushing Without the Flush Kit
1. Wash the outside of the outboard motor with clean, fresh water to remove
mud, salt, sea weed, etc.
2. Remove the propeller.
3. Stand the motor in a suitable container of water. The water level must be
at least 2 inches above the antiventilation plate.
4. Start the engine and run slowly for at least 10 minutes.
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ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK
Check the engine oil level with the engine stopped and the outboard motor in
a vertical position.
1. Move the engine cover lock lever down to unlock the cover, and remove the
cover.
2. Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe it clean.
Insert and remove the dipstick without screwing it into the filler neck. Check
the oil level shown on the dipstick.
If the oil level is near or below the lower limit mark on the dipstick, fill with
the recommended oil (p. 50) to the upper limit...