Owners of outboard motors of the series Honda BF20 They know that the reliability of these units is legendary, but even the best equipment requires maintenance. hopper-starter on the Honda outboard motor 20 It's a common problem with heavy exploitation in an aggressive aquatic environment.
Ignoring the first signs of electrical failure can lead to more serious consequences, including the inability to start the engine manually due to a locked mechanism. In this article, we will discuss in detail the start system device, typical breakdowns and methods of their elimination yourself.
You will learn how to properly diagnose the node, whether to buy a new or you can restore the old, and what nuances exist during installation. Competent approach to repair will save significant money and time.
Design and operation of the launch system
Electrical start system on the motor Honda BF20 It's a complex of battery packs, wiring, ignition locks, solenoids, and the starter itself. The starter here is a DC motor with sequential excitation, which, through the overtaking coupling, transmits torque to the engine flywheel.
The key element is bondix It has a dual function of sending the spin from the starter shaft to the flywheel of the ICE and disassembling them when the engine has started and gained momentum. If there were no bendix, the high engine speed would instantly destroy the starter anchor.
Inside the case, there are also coal brushes that are pressed against the collector with springs, which are used to supply current to the anchor windings, and over time, the graphite is erased, the contact deteriorates, and the starter ceases to develop the necessary power.
- 🔋 Battery - the energy source, must give at least 12V under load.
- ⚡ solenoid - electromagnetic switch, closing the power contacts and pushing out the bendix.
- ⚙️ Anchor and stator The main components of the electric motor, creating a magnetic field.
- 🔩 Planetary gearbox In some versions of the starters is used to increase torque.
Understanding how these components interact is essential for proper diagnosis, and often the problem lies not in the starter itself, but in poor mass contact or oxidized terminals.
Technical Features of the Honda BF20
Unlike its Chinese counterparts, Honda starters often have a more complex sealing system, but are sensitive to salt water from prolonged storage without canning.
Typical malfunctions and their symptoms
If you hear a loud click when you turn the key, but there's no rotation, it's probably a dead battery or a solenoid pin sticking. hopper-starter on the Honda outboard motor 20 It might be completely functional.
If the starter is sluggish, "in tension", and the engine does not catch, this may indicate wear of the brushes, pollution of the collector or interturn circuit in the windings. It is also worth checking the condition of the bushings in which the anchor shaft rotates, their wear leads to distortion and friction.
⚠️ Attention: If after starting the engine the starter continues to squeal and rotate loudly with the flywheel, immediately silence the engine! This means jamming the bendix, which threatens to destroy the gear and release metal shavings into the crankcase.
Another symptom is that the starter is spinning, but the bendix is not going out, which is a classic sign of a retractor failure or a return spring failure, and in rare cases, the teeth on the bendix gear or the flywheel crown may be slicked.
For accurate diagnosis, you need to remove the assembly from the engine and make a defect. Visual inspection often allows you to immediately see signs of overheating, oxidation or mechanical damage.
Dismantling the starter from the Honda BF20 engine
Before you start, be sure to disconnect the battery's negative terminal. safety-setFailure to do so could lead to short circuits and burns, and it is better to do the work on a removed engine or by providing convenient access to the back of the lower unit.
The removal process begins with the power wires being turned off. Honda BF20 The starter is usually fitted with a thick red wire from the solenoid, and the control wire must be disconnected if it is separate, although often the control is integrated into the ignition lock.
The starter's fasteners can be tightened with great force and have traces of corrosion. It is recommended to pre-treat the threaded joints with penetrating lubricant, for example, WD-40And give her time to do something.
☑️ Checklist before starter pulldown
After the bolts are unscrewed, the starter is carefully removed. Be careful not to damage the gasket between the starter flange and the engine crankcase. When installing a new gasket, a sealant is usually not required, but the surface should be clean.
The starter itself is better disassembled on a clean table, spreading the parts in order of their removal, which will help to avoid the loss of small washers, springs and locking rings.
Defection and repair of starter nodes
The disassembled starter is carefully inspected, first of all, the state of the collector is assessed, if the copper lamellae show black soak or burnout, they must be cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper or glass paper, deep furrows require lathe leakage.
Brushes are consumables, and if they're less than 50 percent of the length of a new brush, they need to be replaced, and it's important to pick up brushes that are similarly stiff and sized, and then they have to rub on the manifold after they're replaced.
The overtaking clutch (Bendix) is checked for jamming and slipping. In good condition, the gear should freely turn one way and wedge the other.
| Component | Normal. | Signs of malfunction | Elimination method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal brushes | Length > 10 mm, spring elastic | Short, chipped, spring loosened. | Replacement of brush kit |
| The collector | Pure, copper glitter | Blackening, risk, beating | Cleaning or duct |
| Hustle (bearings) | Smooth, no production. | Ellipse, bullies, backsliding. | Replacement of bushings |
| Bendix | The course is smooth, jamming in one direction | Both sides jammed, teeth licked | Replacement of overtaking coupling |
Pay special attention to the bushings, which wear causes the anchor to shift, causing it to "scream" against the stator magnets, causing a sharp drop in power and sparkling.
When assembling the starter, lubricate the shaft and bushings with heat-resistant lubricant, but do not allow it to hit the collector and brushes, otherwise there will be sparking and soot.
Electrical part inspection and circuitry
To check the windings of the anchor and stator will require a multimeter. Check for "breaking to the mass" is carried out by a vertebra between the lamellae of the collector (or the terminals of the winding) and the housing / shaft. The device must show infinity (one in the left side of the screen).
If the multimeter shows resistance, the insulation is broken, and the starter will not work, or will knock out the fuses, and the integrity of the windings is checked: the resistance between the opposite lamellae must be the same.
The retractor relay is checked by applying 12B to the control contact, and a clear click must be heard, and the rod must be pushed out. The resistance of the relay winding is usually several ohms. The winding break is a common reason for the lack of response to the ignition key.
Starter connection scheme Honda BF20 It's pretty simple: the battery, through the fuse, goes to the solenoid power contact, and when the control circuit is closed, the solenoid feeds power to the starter windings, and simultaneously mechanically pushes the bendix out.
⚠️ Attention: When checking the starter from the battery be careful: a serviceable unit develops a huge torque. Secure it in the vise or on the floor before applying power, so that it does not escape from your hands.
If the electrical part is normal and the starter is not spinning, it may be because of poor contact inside the solenoid body, often enough to disassemble it and clean the five-plus contacts to restore performance.
Assembly, installation and first start-up
The assembly is done in reverse order. Pay special attention to the centering. The starter should stand in place without skewing or unnecessary effort. The mounting bolts tighten evenly, cross-cross to avoid deformation of the flange.
Before the final installation of the casings, it is recommended to check the system's operation. Connect the battery and try to start the engine. If the starter spins cheerfully and the bendix returns to its original position in time, you can collect everything back.
Be sure to check the battery level after repair. If the battery is old, it may have lost capacity during previous launch attempts, and the new starter may not be running properly.
Good assembly and lubrication of rubbing parts is the key to the long service of the starter. Don't skimp on lubricants and sealants for electrical contacts.
After assembly, run the engine in water, monitor the temperature of the starter body: it can heat up, but it should not smoke or smell burnt insulation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put a starter from another Honda engine on the BF20?
In theory, some starters from BF series engines (e.g. BF15 or BF25) may have similar landing dimensions, but differences in gear teeth, shaft length and electrical performance can make installation impossible or dangerous.
Why does the starter start, but the engine doesn't start?
If the starter is spinning normally, it's not the problem. You should check for spark, fuel supply and compression. You might have a carburetor clogged, a candle malfunctioning, or water in the tank. You should also check the angle of ignition ahead.
How to preserve a starter for winter storage?
Remove the starter, clean it of dirt and salt, lubricate the shaft and moving parts with conservation grease, store it in a dry room, wrapped in rags. If you can't remove it, be sure to treat the external contacts with a spray preservative.
What is the life of the Honda BF20 starter?
With proper operation and timely maintenance (bringing replacement, lubrication), the starter can last hundreds of hours, but water and salt deposits can reduce the life of the starter by many times.