2007 Honda BF 50 a starting problems

[Waterstone]

Hi guys. I recently bought a boat with a Honda engine that didn’t run. I pulled the carburetors and cleaned them and performed some routine maintenance. The engine will now start if I hold my hands over the intake to choke it. I assume this meant the automatic choke wasn’t working so I replaced it. I still have the same problem. It only runs as long as I keep it Choate with my hands over the intake. It also seems to run pretty rough and does not accelerate smooth. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[ahicks]

Just a hunch, but my bet is you missed some critical areas when cleaning the carb. That's where I would go first. There's a brass tube that runs from top to the bottom of that carb, right near the center of it. In the bottom of that tube there's a metering jet that's not much bigger than a whisker. If it's not spotless, the engine isn't going to run worth a darn. Those carbs can make a grown man cry. My first few attempts at cleaning a really dirty set would often take 3 tries to get them right. So don't feel bad, or hesitate to go back in for a second try.

IMHO, that style carb with the "enrichening device" on the top carb doesn't start as easily as the conventional choke equipped carbs. I've found that they start best with short bursts of the starter rather than longer grinds, with the high idle lever just off the bottom. In other words, throttle barely cracked. If it's going to start, it's going to do that right after you engage the starter.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!