7 Honda 250 Outboard Problems You Should Know (Explained)

Honda has ruled the vehicle and motorcycle industries for many years. A while back, in 1964, Honda moved into the Marine Outboard industry, bringing its same reliable approach to boating.

Their engines are ideal for bay boats, catamarans, and pontoons currently. Honda was the first company to provide 4 stroke motors in America. The Honda engines range from 2 to 250 hp.

The Honda 250 Outboard has outstanding range and capacity.

This article delivers you the most common problems you may find with the Honda 250 Outboard.

We will discuss the problems in depth and give you some solutions in case you run into them with your Honda 250 Outboard.

1) Engine Suddenly Dies

A common complaint from owners is that the engine runs rough or ideal roughly and then just dies. The ending runs for a few minutes and then dies. You can restart it, but it will die again in a couple of minutes.

This problem is caused because there is a problem with the flow of fuel. There are many reasons why this flow can be blocked. These reasons include a clogged carburetor, fuel filter, idle jets, and petrol tank blockage.

It is necessary to unclog the parts that are clogged to help correct the flow of fuel. If this does not fix the problem, you can replace the spark plug.

You clean a clogged carburetor by first stripping the carburetor and then cleaning off all the gunk with a carburetor cleaner.

If your fuel filter is dirty, it can clog the fuel line. So first, you should remove the filter from the fuel line. Once you do that, you can use a carburetor cleaner or a solvent cleaner to clean the filter.

After it is clean, reinstall the filter. You also want to make sure the line is clean, and there is no gunk from the filter stuck there.

If the jets have gunk and dirt in them, it occurs from evaporated fuel. So if you run it dry with the fuel tap on, it should help fix the problem.

You want to check the vent hose by disconnecting it from the fuel pump. Once you disconnect it, blow on one end to see if the air comes out the other. If it does not, there is a blockage.

2) Failure with the Crankshaft Thrust Bearing

The Honda 250 Outboard uses 4-stroke, and they seem to have difficulty with the crankshaft bearing. These parts begin to fail without a warning.

However, there are no symptoms to indicate it is going to fail soon.

The crankshaft just stops working. If you want to check for a bad crankshaft, you can pry under the crank pulley. If you see a vertical lift, then most likely the crankshaft is probably bad.

This happens quite often to those that have the Honda 250 Outboard. If you are experiencing this problem, you should take it to a professional to have the problem assessed.

3) Not Enough Power

Another common problem that customers discuss is that the boat starts smoothly but then loses power when idling.

If it does not lower power, the engine can weaken while in idle.

This may be caused by a failure in the fuel injection system. There could be defects in the fuel injection system because of the electrical components inside the engine housing.

The main relay is sealed with a potting material to prevent corrosion. However, over time the material can separate from the relay housing. When this happens, the electrical components corrode.

When this corrosion occurs, the outboard may not start.

When this occurs, the fuel injection system is replaceable. In addition, Honda has a warranty that should cover the replacement.

The corroded parts should be serviced or replaced by a professional Honda servicing center. Regular service can help prevent corrosion.

In addition, you should keep the housing as dry as possible. It would be best if you washed down the boat with normal water after taking a trip in saltwater.

4) Heavy Weight

The Honda 250 Outboard engines are incredibly heavy.

The dry weight of smaller outboard engines is about 110 pounds. When you have a large engine, you can expect it to weigh 117 pounds.

For example, a power tilt engine weighs about 129 pounds.

This weight is significantly heavier than most engines in this category. When you have such a heavy engine in your boat, it slows the boat substantially. In addition, the boat can tilt due to the weight of the engine.

This potentially tilting can cause many problems, such as the fact that you may lose control.

5) Overheating Alarm Sounds

A common problem with the Honda 250 Outboard is that its overheating alarm goes off, and the engine goes into limp mode.

Limp mode automatically cuts down the engine’s power as a protective measure to limit any possible damage. It also enables you to limp slowly home.

There are many causes of the overheating alarm going off. However, one of the top reasons could be that the alarm itself may be faulty.

You should check the blocked water intakes for the cooling system. There could also be a problem with the water temperature sensor or thermostat. It may also need to be cleaned because it has a build-up of dirt.

You should carefully flush the engine with fresh water after each trip to help your cooling system stay in top shape. When you Flush your cooling system with fresh water, it prevents build-up from salt or pollution.

If the build-up is not removed, it can corrode or clog the various parts of the cooling system, including water pipes, sensors, and the thermostat.

6) Blocked Carburetor

The Honda 250 Outboard has a carburetor that mixes the proper amount of air and fuel for combustion. This is a critical role for the carburetor.

When the carburetor is functioning properly, it starts fast, accelerates well, and has a smooth idle. It also ensures that you receive proper fuel economy and clean emissions.

A dirty carburetor, on the other hand, can cause significant problems with the engine. It will not start easily, has a rough idle, engine stalling or flooding, and an increased fuel consumption.

The Honda 250 Outboard engine has internal jets located inside the carburetor and they get blocked easily. This is most prevalent when you use old gas or buy bad fuel.

Older model Honda Outboards have this is a design problem.

7) Faulty Electric Starter

When the outboard electric starter or ignition switch begins to fail, you may hear a clicking sound, or the engine turns slowly. You may also find that the engine does not start at all.

You may also find that the engine spins extremely fast but does not engage. Or you may turn the engine’s flywheel, and it still does not engage.

A faulty fuse is a common cause of the Honda Outboard engine not starting. If this fuse fails or burns out, the engine does not start or run. In this case, the power trim/tilt switch does not operate.

You can resolve this problem easily by changing the fuse. You can do it yourself. If changing the fuse does not solve the problem, there may be a more serious issue. You may have to take your Honda Outboard to your local Honda dealer.

If changing the fuse does not work, there could be a different problem. For example, a burnt-out fuse may be a symptom of an underlying electrical problem.

General Pros and Cons For Honda 250 Outboard

Pros:

Overall, Honda Outboards are a reliable engine that performs well.

They sit at a moderate price point and are easy to operate.

The Honda 250 Outboard uses a timing chain and not a belt.

These engines give you 1,500 hours and have a lengthy warranty.

Cons:

• The overheating alarm has a tendency to go off.
• The carburetor gets blocked easily and often.
• The fuel injection system fails, and the engine does not get enough power.

Sources:

Honda Troubleshooting Guide