Simple tips to avoid problems caused by stale petrol

As we approach the colder months leaving petrol in your Honda product can cause problems. Follow our simple tips below to avoid problems caused by stale petrol:

  1. Know which type of petrol you should use. Regular unleaded 98, 95, 95 E5 or E10 can be used in Honda products. (E5 or E10 contins 5% or 10% ethanol.)

2. Do not use any petrol containing more than 10% ethanol. This will cause corrosion damage to fuel system components.

3. If your Honda product is used intermittently, e.g. more than 4 weeks between each use, use petrol treated with fuel stabiliser, at the time of purchase.  Don’t forget that fuel stabliser has a shelf life and once opened has a shelf life of 2 years.

4. Don’t add fuel stabiliser to try reconstitute or reinvigorate stale petrol. It must be added when the petrol is fresh.

5. Store petrol for a maximum period of one month – it will deteriorate if stored for any longer.

6. Add fuel stabiliser to petrol that is likely to be stored for any longer than one month.

7. Only use clean, sealed, approved fuel containers. These will be designed specifically to carry and store petrol.

8. If you use a steel container to store petrol, for example a jerrycan, ensure there is no corrosion on the inside of the container.

9. Store petrol in cool place away from direct sunlight.

10. Turn the fuel tap on your Honda product off when not being used.

11. Before using your Honda product check the engine oil level is correct and the air filter is clean.

12. Before winter storage, drain the petrol from the carburetor and fuel tank, referring to your owners manual on best procedure to do so.

 

 

 

Newest kids on the water – the Honda 4, 5, 6

Honda Marine is renowned for it’s quality and reliability when out on the open water.

We’ve got Honda outboards as large as 250hp, but today we are all talk about the small but mighty outboards available at the lower end of the spectrum.

The Honda BF4, BF5 and BF6 are the newest kids on the block. Released in 2017 they are all compact, portable and easy to use. They joined the BF2.3hp to kick off the Honda Marine range with plenty of power.

The range are all 4-stroke,  1 cylinder and come in 2 different options – long or short shaft. Opt for short shaft and the length will be 434mm, while long will give you an extra 127mm, coming in at 561mm. The 4/5/6 all weigh in at 27.0 – 27.5kg, depending on whether you need long or short shaft.

Some of the best features about the smaller Honda outboards are:

  • Easy to transport & store – take them off the boat when you’re finished, eliminating theft and enabling you to keep your Honda in safe hands.
  • Extended running time – They have a large internal fuel tank, allowing you to hit the open water for longer.
  • Easy start – they are fitted with Honda’s decompression mechanism, which means you’re not straining or struggling starting your outboard.
  • Low vibration – very important when you’re out on the water! The low vibration allows for the smoothest journey possible.
  • Oil Alert – an inbuilt oil alert gives you warning when there is any drop in oil pressure.
  • Keep those batterys charged – the range will charge batteries up to 6A, perfect for all your portable electronics.
  • No collecting weeds or sea flora – to prevent damage to the propeller you can tilt the shaft forward when in shallow water, there’s a spring lock to keep it in place as long as you need.
  • Plenty of punch – 127 cm³ engine that not only provides efficient acceleration, but still supplies high levels of torque.
  • Distinctive Honda Silver – the engines comes in Honda’s trademark silver colour, reflecting the sunsets you’re bound to see when out on the ocean.
  • They’re made to be a perfect fit for our Honwave inflatable range.

For more on this group of Honda outboards click here & to find your local Honda Marine dealer click here.