ATTN: HONDA 130 OWNERS

aahsalot · Feb-24-2006, 12:03 PM

I had the pleasure of meeting Rodney Antonioli, Sales director for World Cat at the '06 San Diego boat show. While discussing the set up on the AHHSALOT he informed me of a "covert" program in place for early (mine are 99's) Honda 130 outboards.
As he suggested I called Honda marine with my serial #'s. At first the rep claimed she knew nothing of the program, but when she put my #'s in, the system told her they are eligible for POWER HEAD REPLACEMENT AT NO COST TO ME!!!... MANAH from HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

The program is for 10 years from the in-service date on the motors.
I immediately called BOAT DEPOT in San Diego to get the ball rolling. They called Honda to confirm the deal, called me back in 15 mins. to say "It's on"

The parts will be here in 2 weeks and they will perform the work asap. The problem is a water jacket failure that lets water into the cumbustion chambers. Performance is reduced...duh.
My motors seem OK at 490 hrs, but they could go at any time, I'm told.
I'm sure you can imagine how stoked I am and how cool it is to have a company like Honda taking the position of responsibility for a mistake this far out of warranty. Plus the motors will have the new technology..WOW
Hope this info helps out some BD bros with 130 Hondas

**Ali** · Feb-24-2006, 12:21 PM

I've heard the same.

It's good to see one outboard manufacturer taking care of its customers.

Congrats.

Stuart · Feb-24-2006, 03:01 PM

It's true. I had this done to my Honda 130 on my previous boat, a Bayrunner. Basically slapped a whole new upper-end on my engine. Mine was a '99 with about 600 hours.

Your motor does have to fall into a certain serial number range. I used to have some pictures of the cracking, but yeah, the water jackets start to leak and that can cause all kinds of problems. A guy I know in Hawaii was losing power in his 130 because water had leaked into the intake and basically clogged it with salt residue, suffocating the motor. A 3rd guy I know with twin 130's on a SeaCat had both his motors done shortly after mine.

You need to have the inspection procedure done by an authorized Honda dealer/shop. If they find any evidence of cracking, they call for authorization of the work under warranty. Honda ships in a new crate short block and new cylinder head, ready to go. They use all the other existing stuff on your motor, like alternator, injection system, and such.

The program is not covert. Honda sent me a Product Update Campaign letter informing me of the problem. I was the original owner, but if you bought one of these motors on a used boat, you might not know about this campaign. They also replaced the fuel pump due to corrosion issues on the '99 motors under a different campaign. I ignored the initial letter for about a year because the motor ran great, no problems. I decided to have the check for cracks done when I had the fuel pump replaced and indeed, they were there. Dealer had the boat for about three months to get all the parts and do the work.

I agree with Gato. I thought then and still do that, even though inconvenient, it was very admirable of Honda to own up to the problem and do the right thing to fix it. Too many companies these days would rather have you take it in the ass and never own up to that kind of problem or warranty work.

aahsalot · Mar-01-2006, 01:25 PM

The plot thickens...
Now Honda wants to survey the motors to confirm actual failure of the water jackets. Have to wait till 3/10/06 to get into the shop due to work back-log there

.
I guess Honda believes it is better to let us run into trouble 60 miles out than to step up and fix a documented deficiency in their engineering. My early optimism may be waining, but we shall see.
AHHS, clear.

Stuart · Mar-01-2006, 03:28 PM

Yep. Mentioned that above -- they only do the replacement if the inspection finds cracking, then Honda authorizes it. Honda pays the dealer to do the inspection. It's a one time thing. If the dealer finds cracking, then they authorize the replacement. You can squawk about it to Honda Customer Service down in Georgia over the phone. I made a couple of calls and it seemed to help expedite things a bit.

By the way, found this picture the guy in Hawaii sent me. It was an exhaust port that had clogged, not intake, due to the cracking. Engine would run, but had no power whatsoever. You can clearly see it in the picture.

doughnut · Mar-01-2006, 03:44 PM

has any body seen the serial number list? or year model list?

Stuart · Mar-01-2006, 07:18 PM

I don't know the serial number range, but it was only 1999 models.

tunaclone2 · Mar-01-2006, 08:18 PM

A word of caution, if you use Boat Depot, pull the motor cover and make sure all of the internal electronic protection covers are installed and everything is connected. Also, make sure and take a test ride before you pick up your boat.

I had several issues on a used motor that was purchased from them and it took three visits to get the motor halfway right. Lets just say that on the first sea trial the motor would not rev over 3500 rpm and they swore that they test drove the boat. Come to find out the motor was missing a swithch, when engaged, would tell the computer that the boat was in gear and allowed the motor to rev over 3500 rpm. I'm not a picky guy and there were other issues that caused me concern and they lost my business.

I'm sure Boat Depot has provided good service for a lot of people, unfortunately I was not one of them.

Good Luck,

Dreamboat

Lawman · Mar-02-2006, 05:13 PM

I have a 2004 Honda 200. Since the day I bought the engine the crankcase has had water intrusion. Pull the oil plug and lots of white sludge comes out. The dip stick collects lots of white sludge. Many complaints to Honda have yielded nothing. My only alternative will be to get an attorney and sue Honda for breach of warranty.

aahsalot · Mar-09-2006, 12:46 PM

So much for "Ignorance is bliss",
Now I'm F@#kin' scared.
AHHSALOT goes in for the survey tomorrow.
Maybe I should take the day off and watch the operation

Thanks team for the input.
Steven

**Ali** · Mar-09-2006, 01:14 PM

Hey Guys,

PLEASE use AIM Marine in Lakeside for all of your Honda/Yamaha work.

They strongly support the site and we have the owners word that ALL Bd'ers will receive 100% satisfaction.

They are top notch!

aahsalot · Mar-10-2006, 12:52 PM

Well... the survey is complete and no evidence of the insidious cooling jacket leakage was found.
I guess thats a good thing, but it still bugs me that it may well happen in the future. I dont't have the balls to "drive it like I stold it" (as suggested by one of my more impetuous friends) to see if it will break!!!
We'll just keep easin' on down the course to find da beeg feesh and try not to think about eventualities.
Thanks for the lead Ali, I will check on your recomendation next time I think I need someone to wrench on the Hondas.

C'mon SUMMER...

AHHSALOT out