BF20 dried salt water under cowling

[Highfielder]

I have a Honda BF20, 2016 model. I am experiencing dried salt water under the cowling. It's mainly in the starboard side, the same side as the pee hole. I suspect some of the salt water from the pee hole back fires and spray on the powerhead. Alternatively salt water may find its way through the side covers.

This is very annoying, having to take the side covers off to clean the inside of the engine.

Is it acceptable with some salt water finding its way under the cowling?

I've had outboards before (Yamaha 30 2 stroke, Mercury 5 hp 2 stroke and Tohatsu 8 hp 2 stroke). Never had any problem with salt water under the cowling on those engines.

Any Honda owners out there with some clues?

[jeffstevens763@g]

No way do you want salt in there sounds like a pin hole in the tell tail or its a loose hose

[Highfielder]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

No way do you want salt in there sounds like a pin hole in the tell tail or its a loose hose

Will check the pee hole hose for any cracks or holes.

[Fenlander]

If it's not from the pee hose or a leaking gasket (gasket unlikely) then usually it's excess spray from the outboard leg forcing its way through the cowling joint or bottom pan drain holes.

I've had this until I've sorted the trim and transom height on certain SIB/outboard combos.

[jonp]

Sorry for some reason this posted twice and I'm unable to delete this post.

[jonp]

Do you have a transducer, trim tab, bait pump or anything else on that side that could possibly be spraying water back at the engine. If you do you may have to make a splash guard. Even the tubes of some boats spray a little water back at the engine. The rotation direction of the prop, antiventalation plate etc can all cause splash back, try looking over the back as you drive to see if there's any spray before assuming it's coming from an issue under the cowling.

Every boat I've ever owned ( lots ) have always had a little saltwater getting in through the outboard air vents which drys like you mention ( something the mechanics I use state as being very common ). Personaly I use a solution of saltaway ( you can use diluted down vinegar) to spray and break down the salt and rinse it away. I do have spray guards but often backing up on game fish chucks a fair amount of spray from all directions. Under the cowling of any modern engine you should find extremely good sealing on any ellectric connections and generally well protected components. When my engine is clean and dry I spray a light coating of Yamlube under the cowling.

[Highfielder]

I've just got the outboard mounted on the transom. The tubes do make a spray, but most of the spray from the tubes get caught in the "tube guard", i don't know the word in english.

The boat is a Highfield CL 310, and this exact engine is one of the "recommended" engines.

When the boat is planing, the antiventalation plate, is just above sea level, so no water is spraying up from there.

The seals on the side covers and the cowling seems to seal all the way.

However, your answers got me thinking. When I'm slowing down after planing, it's almost impossible to get water pushed against the back of the engine (unless i have an extra person sitting in the front). The socket where the pee hole hose is attached to the side cover, is not sealed, but it sits in its hole with some sort of expandable clips. So, if water pushes against the pee hole, and the socket is not sealed, that may be the answer to my problem.

[jeffstevens763@g]

if you take a picture guys will be able to advise if it is a loose fit on the pee hole something like electricians putty could be moulded round it to stop water ingress

[Highfielder]

See photos. The connection for the pee hole hose is a bit loose, and it wiggles.

[jeffstevens763@g]

twin pee pipes then.if no leaks they should be ok to wobble
just looked at the manual does yours have the engine flush adapter inside the engine hood i would check that make sure its sealed with a rubber seal or o ring

[Highfielder]

One is for water, the other one for draining carburetor. My engine do have a flush point on the water jacket, above the thermostat. I have checked that one, and it's not leaking. Removed water jacket a few weeks ago in order to change the internal zink. Cleaned out the flush port as well. New gasket around the water jacket, no leaks there.

[Locozodiac]

If all what's been recommended to check is found OK, re torque lower powerhead's pan gasket bolts tight with a wrench, if bolts are bit loose motor will leak water from there and be collected on any side of the pan...

New installed gaskets needs to be re torqued after some hours, use and heat usually compresses them a bit from were originally torqued to, check..

Happy Boating

[two stroke mick]

I wonder if your engine is mounted too low. I had similar on my etec. I lifted it one hone and the problem stopped

[Highfielder]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

If all what's been recommended to check is found OK, re torque lower powerhead's pan gasket bolts tight with a wrench, if bolts are bit loose motor will leak water from there and be collected on any side of the pan...

New installed gaskets needs to be re torqued after some hours, use and heat usually compresses them a bit from were originally torqued to, check..

Happy Boating

Thanks for the tip! Will check that later today

[Highfielder]

Ok, so after a lot of troubleshooting, i figured out what's causing salt water inside my engine. On the back of the engine, where the two side covers meet, there is a gap large enough that it won't seal completely. So when i get down from planing, water splashes in.

I've disassembled the covers to see if there is something in the way, bending the covers outwards. Everything seems fine. Could the plastic deformate over three years?

Look at the attatched pictures. I used a flashlight on the outside, see the blue light on the picture that shows where the water comes in.

[Highfielder]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

I wonder if your engine is mounted too low. I had similar on my etec. I lifted it one hone and the problem stopped

Didnt see your post until now. If I mount the engine any higher, it will suck air in small waves/turns.