Honda Power Equipment BF20 User Manual

Thank you for purchasing a Honda Outboard Motor.
This manual covers operation and maintenance of the Honda Outboard

Motor. All information in this publication is based on the latest product in­formation available at the time of approval for printing.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reserves the right to make changes at any time
without notice and without incurring any obligation.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.
This manual should be considered a permanent part of the Outboard Motor

and should remain with the Outboard Motor when it is sold.
Pay special attention to statements preceded by the following words:

Bmm

life if instructions are not followed.

CAUTION: Indicates a possibility of personal injury or equipment damage if
instructions are not followed.

NOTE: Gives helpful information.
If a problem should arise, or if you have any questions about the Outboard

Motor, consult an authorized Honda dealer.

Ew!m

dable service if operated according to instructions. Read and understand

the Owner’s Manual before operating the Outboard Motor. Failure to do so

could result in personal injury or equipment damage.

Indicates a strong possibility of severe personal injury or loss of

Honda Outboard Motors are designed to give safe and depen-

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CONTENTS

1.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

2.

WARNING LABELS
COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

3.

4.

INSTALLATION

5.

PRE-OPERATION CHECK

STARTING THE ENGINE ........................................................

6.

7.

OPERATION

a.

STOPPING THE ENGINE ........................................................

l

High altitude operation ......................................................

MAINTENANCE

9.
TRANSPORTING/STORAGE..

10.

11.

TROUBLESHOOTING

SPECIFICATIONS.. ...............................................................

12.
OPTIONAL PARTS

13.

WARRANTY SERVICE

14.

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a
10
13
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34

36
37
3%
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1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

To ensure safe operation-

* Understand the operation of all controls, and know how to stop the

engine quickly -READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY.

0 Do not exceed the boat manufacturer’s power recommendation, and be

sure the outboard motor is properly mounted.

0 Never permit anyone to operate the outboard motor without proper

instruction.
0 Stop the engine immediately if any passenger falls overboard.
0 Do not run the motor while the boat is near any person in the water.
0 Exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Never run the out-

board motor in a closed garage or confined area.
0 Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain condi-

tions. Refuel in a well ventilated area with the engine stopped.
0 Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks where the engine is refueled or

where gasoline is stored.
0 Do not overfill the fuel tank, and make sure the fuel tank cap is securely

closed after refueling.,
0 Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Fuel vapor or spilled fuel may

ignite. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before starting the
engine.

WARNING LABEL LOCATIONS

2. WARNING LABELS

L

WARNING

WHEN CARRYING, SHUT

BREATHER VALVE.

HONDA MOTOR CO.,LTO.

MADE IN JAPAN

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3. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

STERN BRACKET

ADJUSTING ROD

ANTI-CAVITATION PLATE

WATER INTAKE

GEAR OIL LEVEL BOLT

GEAR OIL DRAIN BOLT-

PROPELLER

6

(BFZOS)

FUEL FILLER CAP

FUEL VALVE LEVER

THROTTLE LEVER

CHOKE KNOB

WATER CHECK HOLE

WINDOW

(BF20S)

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4. INSTALLATION

It is your responsibility to choose
a boat suitable for the engine (2
horsepower).

manufacturer’s power recommen­dation. Damage and injury may

result.

1. Installation Position

Install at the stern at the center line

of the boat.

2. Installation Height

Make sure that the transom height
is correct for the motor. Incorrect
installation height will reduce per­formance.
The motor should be installed so
that the anti-cavitation plate is
2-5 cm (0.8-2.0 in) below the
bottom of the boat.

CAUTION: The water level must
be at least 4 inches above the anti­cavitation plate, otherwise the
water pump may not receive suffi­cient cooling water, and the exten­sion case will overheat.

3. Motor Attachment

Attach the stern bracket to the

transom and tighten the clamp

screws.

CAUTION:

0 While operating the boat, check

the tightness of the clamp
screws occasionally.

0 Tie a rope through the hole in the

stern bracket and secure the
other end of the rope to the
boat. This will prevent acciden­tal loss of the motor.

TRANSOM HEIGHT

.-.

P

STERN CENTER

CLAMP SCREW

8

4. Motor Angle

Adjust the motor so the axis of the
propeller is parallel with the water
surface.

CAUSES BOAT TO “SQUAT”

CORRECT

GIVES MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

CAUSES BOAT TO “PLOW”

INCORRECT

5. Motor Angle Adjustment

” ’

If the propeller axis is not parallel
with the water, adjust the angle of

the motor by relocating the ad-

justing bolt on the stern brackets.

There are four adjustment
positions.

1. Loosen the wing nut to free the
adjusting bolt.

2.Adjust the angle of the motor,
and tighten the wing nut. Be
sure that the bolt head and wing
nut are seated in one of the four
recesses on the adjustment slot.

ADJUSTING ROD
AND WING NUT

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1. Check the engine oil level.
CAUTION:

0 Engine oil is a major factor affecting engine performance and service

life. Non-detergent and low quality oils are not recommended.

0 Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine

damage.

Use Honda 4-stroke oil, or an equi­valent high detergent, premium
quality motor oil certified to meet
or exceed U.S. automobile
manufacturer’s requirements for
Service Classification SE or SF.

(Motor oils classified SE or SF will

show this designation on the
container. 1

Select the appropriate viscosity for

1

-30 -20

-10 0

60 80 100°F

10 20 30

the average temperature in your
area. SAE low-40 is recommend­ed for general, all-temperature use.

1. Position the outboard motor vertically, and check the oil level in the oil

level inspection window.

2. If the oil level is down toward the lower level mark on the window, fill
up to the 0.4 P mark on the dipstick.

40°C

UPPER LEVEL (0.4 P)
LOWER LEVEL (0.2 f’)

DIPSTICK

2. Check the fuel level

Use any regular grade automotive gasoline (unleaded gasoline is prefer-

red) with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher. Never use an oil/gasoline
mixture or dirty gasoline. Avoid getting dirt, dust or water in the fuel

tank.

CAUTION: Gasoline substitutes are not recommended; they may be
harmful to the fuel system components.

Fuel tank capacity: 1 .O P (0.26 US gal)

0 Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive under certain

conditions.

Refuel in a well ventilated area with the engine stopped.
0 Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks near the fuel tank.
0 Do not overfill the tank and make sure the filler cap is securely closed

after refueling.
0 Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Fuel vapor or spilled fuel

may ignite. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before star-

ting the engine.

FUEL FILLER CAP

FUEL TANK

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3. Check the following items.

0 Check the propeller, the shear pin, and the cotter pin to be sure they

are secure and undamaged.
0 Check the stern bracket to be sure the motor is securely installed.
0 Check steering handle operation.
0 Make sure you have the tool kit and spare parts with you (p. 26).

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