Honda Bf8a Owners Manual

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GASOLINEFLAMMABLE DANGER
GASOLINEFLAMMABLE DANGERDANGER
HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
IF SWALLOWED, DO NOT INDUCE
VOMITING. CALL A PHYSICIAN
IMMEDIATELY.
READ OWNERS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE OPERATION.
WARNING
PLACE TRANSMISSION  IN NEUTRAL BEFORE STARTING.
DO NOT OPERATE WITH ENGINE COVER REMOVED.
BE SURE THE ANTIVENTILATION PLATE IS BELOW THE 
WATER LINE.
DO NOT SHIFT TO REVERSE SUDDENLY AT HIGH 
SPEED.
CHECK OIL LEVEL BEFORE STARTING.
FLUSH THE SYSTEM THOROUGHLY WITH FRESH WATER 
AFTER EACH USE IN SALT WATER.
EMERGENCY STARTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE ON TOP OF 
ENGINE.
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS
The labels shown here contain important safety information. Please read them
carefully. These labels are considered permanent parts of your outboard
motor. If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact an authorized
Honda marine dealer for a replacement.
OUTBOARD MOTOR SAFETY
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
COMPONENT AND CONTROL LOCATIONS
STARTER GRIP
CHOKE KNOB
TILLER HANDLE
FUEL HOSE
CONNECTOR
(MALE)
GEAR OIL LEVEL
SCREW
GEAR OIL DRAIN
SCREWENGINE COVER
ENGINE COVER
LOCK LEVER
COOLING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
ANODE
WATER INLET
SCREEN
FUEL GAUGE
VENT KNOB
FUEL FILLER
CAP
PRIMING BULBFUEL TANK
FUEL HOSE
FUEL HOSE
CONNECTOR
(FEMALE)
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
OIL FILLER CAP/
DIPSTICKFUSEDC RECEPTACLE
GEARSHIFT LEVER
SPARE SHEAR PINS
AND COTTER PINS
ENGINE STOP
SWITCH
THROTTLE
FRICTION KNOB
THROTTLE GRIP
EMERGENCY ENGINE
STOP SWITCH CLIP
TILT LEVER
EMERGENCY ENGINE
STOP SWITCH LANYARD
CLAMP SCREW
ENGINE OIL DRAIN
SCREW
ANTIVENTILATION
PLATE
EXHAUST PORTSTERN BRACKET
TRANSOM ANGLE
ADJUSTING ROD
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
CONTROLS
Engine Stop Switch and Switch Clip
The engine stop switch has controls
for normal engine stopping and
emergency engine stopping.
In normal operation, press the en-
gine stop button to stop the engine.
A switch clip and lanyard system
stops the engine automatically if the
operator falls away from the controls.
The switch clip must be inserted in the engine stop switch in order for the
engine to start and run. The other end of the lanyard attaches to the operator’s
wrist. If the operator falls away from the controls, the lanyard pulls the clip out
of the switch.
Always attach the lanyard to your PFD (Personal Flotation Device) or your
wrist before operating the outboard motor.
A spare switch clip is supplied with the tool kit.
Choke knob
The choke knob opens and closes
the choke valve in the carburetor.
The ON position enriches the fuel
mixture for starting a cold engine.
The OFF position provides the
correct fuel mixture for operation
after starting, and for restarting a
warm engine.
ENGINE STOP
BUTTON
PUSH
LANYARD
SWITCH
CLIP ENGINE
STOP
SWITCH
CHOKE KNOB
OFF
ON
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Throttle Grip
The throttle grip controls engine
speed.
An index mark on the tiller arm
indicates throttle position.
The gearshift mechanism limits
throttle grip movement when the
gearshift lever (p. 14) is in the R
(reverse) or N (neutral) position.
Throttle Friction Knob
The throttle friction knob adjusts
resistance to throttle grip rotation.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase
friction for holding a throttle setting
while cruising.
Turn the knob counterclockwise to
decrease friction for easy throttle
grip rotation.
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STARTER
GRIP
CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Gearshift Lever
The gearshift lever is used to select
F (forward), N (neutral), or R (re-
verse) gears.
The engine can be started with the
gearshift lever in the N (neutral)
position only.
Starter Grip
Pulling the starter grip operates the
recoil starter to crank the engine for
starting.
R (Reverse)
GEARSHIFT
LEVER
N (Neutral)
F (Forward)
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Steering Friction Bolt
The steering friction bolt adjusts
steering resistance.
Turn the bolt clockwise to increase
friction for holding a steady course
while cruising or to prevent the out-
board motor from swinging while
trailering the boat.
Turn the bolt counterclockwise to
reduce steering friction.
Tilt Lever
The tilt lever enables the outboard
motor to be raised for shallow water
operation, beaching, launching, or
mooring.
To tilt, move the lever to the TILT
position, then raise the outboard
motor until the tilt mechanism en-
gages at 30°, 45° or 70° (p. 38).
To return the outboard motor to the
normal running position, move the
tilt lever to the RUN position, raise
the outboard motor slightly to disen-
gage the tilt mechanism, then slowly
lower the engine.
STEERING FRICTION BOLT
TO DECREASE
FRICTION
TO INCREASE
FRICTION
TILT LEVER
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Transom Angle Adjusting Rod
The transom angle adjusting rod is
used to adjust the angle of the out-
board motor in the normal operating
position (see page 21).
To adjust, first tilt the outboard mo-
tor, so it is not resting on the rod.
Push the rod in and turn the end of
the rod up, so the latch will fall in line
with the rod.
Remove the rod, and reinsert it in
the desired position.
Push the rod in and turn the end of
the rod down, so the latch will fall to
the locked position. Then release
the rod.
Engine Cover Lock Lever
The engine cover lock lever fastens
the cover to the outboard motor.
To remove the cover, move the
lever to the unlocked position, then
lift off the cover.
To install the cover, position the
cover on the outboard motor, then
move the lever to the locked posi-
tion.
TRANSOM ANGLE
ADJUSTING ROD
TO REMOVE
(UNLOCKED)
TO LOCK
LATCH
(LOCKED)
ENGINE COVER LOCK LEVER
LOCKED
UNLOCKED
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Fuel Priming Bulb
A priming bulb is built into the fuel
hose that connects the portable fuel
tank to the outboard motor.
Before operating the outboard mo-
tor, squeeze the priming bulb until it
feels firm. This will ensure that fuel
is supplied to the engine (see
page 28).
Fuel Filler Cap Vent Knob
The cap is provided with a vent
knob to seal the portable fuel tank
for carrying it to and from the boat.
Open the vent knob 2 or 3 turns
before operating the outboard mo-
tor.
FEATURES
Fuel Gauge
A fuel gauge is built into the cap of
the portable fuel tank.
Oil Pressure Indicator
The oil pressure indicator should
remain lit while the engine is running.
The lit indicator shows that the oil
pressure is OK (see page 31).
Cooling System Indicator
Water should flow from the cooling
system indicator while the engine is
running. This shows that water is
circulating through the engine cool-
ing system.
PRIMING
BULB
VENT KNOBClose
Open
FUEL GAUGE
FUEL
FILLER
CAP
OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
COOLING SYSTEM
INDICATOROUTLET END
(motor side) INLET END
(tank side)
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CONTROLS AND FEATURES
Anode
The anode is made of a sacrificial
material that helps to protect the
outboard motor from corrosion.
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