joeymt33
i4WD=imitated 4WD
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aprils_fool
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That would be the last trip to that dealer for me. And no way in hell I would be paying for a plug change on a regular service that doesn't call for a new set of plugs!!
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Have to get my 2 cents in here too. I work on Honda marine engines and have found that occasionally, I have engines with low hours exhibit the same symptoms y'all are describing. There are several things I've found that can cause this. 1- Valve adjustment from the factory is set on the tight end of the spec. Adjusting the valves to the loose end of the spec always improves cold, and warm starts, and idle quality. 2- engine not properly 'broke in'. If the owner 'babies' his new engine, it will, in pretty short order start to run like s**t. Don't baby it. Let it warm up and run it HARD after it has about 20-30 miles on it, or in marine engine terms, about an hour... then run it at, or near wide open where possible, at or near the rev limiter for the next hundred or so miles, main point- don't baby it during 'break-in', and use Honda's recommended oil, and Honda oil filters until it's well run-in, and the warranty is over, cuz if it fails, and it has an aftermarket filter, and/or some magic super best ever engine oil in it, you may end up owning that pile of scrap that was an engine..... 3- the iridium plugs fail. I have replaced some of these plugs under warranty- not often, and they never look bad, they just quit working, but in general, they last 700-1000 hrs if everything else is right, and we've tried using standard plugs, and they never last more than 300hrs- jus sayin... 4- Idle Air Control passage dirty, or obstructed. Doesn't take much to mess these up, and cause the hard start, sh**ty idle, hesitation etc. The computer control in these is nothing like a car- it's dumb, it relies on temperature, throttle position, rpm, and manifold pressure to adjust fuel, timing, and idle speed, but only within pretty limited parameters- particularly when cold. Once warmed up, it will start using data from the O2 sensor to fine tune fueling, but everything else is pretty much r.p.m. and manifold pressure algorithms, and I've seen the outboards come in with a dead plug or bad valve adjustment running so bad it wouldn't start or idle without opening the throttle, and still not set a fault in the computer. 5- poor ground connections- these will cause intermittent insanity- check the ground straps! If the dealer does the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) properly, most issues are caught before the customer ever sees the machine, but anyone can miss stuff, and well, s**t happens.... One more thing- when checking the gaps on iridium plugs, be very careful with the feeler gauge. The iridium coating is very thin and can be damaged easily- causing premature failure- so don't pry the gap open, use a gapping tool to bend the ground electrode as needed, and when installing, be aware that the torque specs are substantially different for lubed threads vs. dry threads. Sorry for going on and on..... Hope this is helpful
No activity on this thread for a while. I guess I'll spark it back up 😁
21-P1k5 70 hours & 400 miles. Had it out at the deer lease started up fine, loaded up corn & headed to the 1st feeder. Shut it down loaded the feeder, packed up & it won't start. Finally got it started, shifted into high & it dies. Started again dies on and on. Finally got it to go & it's running like crap. Limp back to the truck & load it up. I purchased the extended warranty so might as well take it to the dealer. A week later they give me a call & say it's spark plugs here's your $360 bill. Needless to say I was quite pissed. Duty cycle on plugs says 100k miles. Service schedule in the manual says check them at 1200 miles. I was able to get the dealership to knock off most of the labor on it & got out the door for $170. Has anyone figured out why this might be happening & how to avoid it? I'll be taking some spare plugs with me next time.
21-P1k5 70 hours & 400 miles. Had it out at the deer lease started up fine, loaded up corn & headed to the 1st feeder. Shut it down loaded the feeder, packed up & it won't start. Finally got it started, shifted into high & it dies. Started again dies on and on. Finally got it to go & it's running like crap. Limp back to the truck & load it up. I purchased the extended warranty so might as well take it to the dealer. A week later they give me a call & say it's spark plugs here's your $360 bill. Needless to say I was quite pissed. Duty cycle on plugs says 100k miles. Service schedule in the manual says check them at 1200 miles. I was able to get the dealership to knock off most of the labor on it & got out the door for $170. Has anyone figured out why this might be happening & how to avoid it? I'll be taking some spare plugs with me next time.
Jankyeye
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fouling plugs because of short trips, not warmed up is a common issue with these engines
Vikes79
SKOL!
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Rut roh - i dump pre mix in my garden tractor/atv when I’m low and too lazy to run out for straight gas - nothing like mowing the lawn with a whiff of bel ray in the air - never ever fouled a plug and original plug in my 30 year old garden tractor - been doing it forever
Short trips check, bad gas no, two stroke gas no. I guess I need to get a bigger lease & carry a new set of plugs with me.
Nah, just let it get hot, and give it a good hot lap before u shut it off and it will all be fine
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