Looking for clues to an ongoing Honda BF200hp engine problem

[harleytimes]

Greetings Thrillseekers:
I have a 2003 Honda BF200hp engine (on a Triton SF21) that has been acting up for the last couple of seasons. The blame has always been that the most recent Oxygen Sensor (O2 sensor) has failed but I suspect something more as replacing the O2 sensors hae not eliminated the problem. Here is what I am experiencing:
Engine alarm (beeping in three second intervals) goes on when engine has been idling for a short time (usually after about three minutes). Engine alarm (beeping in three second intervals) goes on when engine is moving slowly in gear (usually after about three minutes).
Engine will sometimes have a low idle and shut itself off as I shift from forward idle to neutral.

Also, on an irregular basis, engine alarm (sold tone) goes on when at planning speed. If acceleration is not dramatically reduced, engine will automatically reduce power and shortly thereafter turn itself off. Typically, alarm will continue to sound and I will reduce throttle to almost idle speed. Alarm then usually shuts off.

In all the above situations, alarm sounds cease once engine is turned off and restarted.
In all cases, engine looks to be properly discharging water.
In all cases, no lights by throttle or by key illuminate.

My Honda mechanic who I trust, has replaced Oxygen Sensor several times. FYI: I do not experience rough idling on an ongoing basis which I have been told is an indicator of a faulty O2 Sensor. Engine may start and run rough for a brief period but always adjusts itself.
I have replaced the engine battery in the last four months.

I am tired of this ongoing issue and hope that someone has a suggestion that my mechanic can check.
Thank you.

[HondaRay]

Do you have warning lights by your key switch?

[harleytimes]

I do not get warning lights on the dashboard or at the throttle. Just dropped the boat at Calumet Marine in Calumet, Illinois today and they did some quick computer checks. They again blamed part of the problem on the latest O2 Sensor (most recent O2 Sensor is about two months old!) but can not really say for sure what the problem is. It is nice that they always give me printouts of reports but not much help to me.

[Hickory Legend]

When was the last time the water pump was replaced and fuel bowls check for water?

921 Pro XP

[harleytimes]

921 Pro XP: Can't say when the water pumphas been replaced. Engine is fuel injected so no fuel bowls to check for water.Do have a fuel filter and a water separator and they are checked and cleanedand fuel filter replaced sometimes when the O2 Sensor is replaced. Also havechanged engine oil sometimes when replacing the O2 Sensor as my mechanic hassaid that a bad sensor may allow the gas/oil mixture to become screwed up. Iwas trying to troll in Canada last week for Muskies with the engine and ittotally failed me for trolling purposes. I did add two cans of Seafoam to about30 gallons of the fresh gas and that had no positive effect. Then I triedrunning through the tank (at $6.00 per Imperial gallon in Canada!) and puttingin new fresh gas. Nothing seemed to work so I was forced to use the trollingmotor for all fishing. Pretty exciting trying to maneuver a boat singlehandlyon to a windblown dock with an engine that randomly dies. Still caught 11muskies with two over 50 inches but this ongoing engine problem is wearing meand the family out. At least I have some good stories to talk about with my two fishing clubs and my motorcycle club.

[Bigron119]

I had the exact same indications. There were 2 different things with mine. Idle beeping is the O2 sensor that keeps fouling, even after having a new one installed, due to ideling with the motor trimmed too low and causing the moisture to foul the O2 sensor. Now to my bad experience. My motor would run really good then after 12 min of WOT it would shut down to half speed but would reset after the key was turned off and back on. Come to find out my motor was blown but was still running (tough little bugger for 6 months). It was the front bearing that had failed. I hope this is not the same for yours. Initial belief is that there was a crack in the oil pickup tube since I changed my oil frequently. I have a 2002 Honda 225.

[Hickory Legend]

The water separator is what I was talking about. The two glass filter bowls on the side of the motor.
I would replace the water pump also, it will give you an alarm and put it into safe mode.

921 Pro XP

[HondaRay]

What I want to know is concerning your warning lights...There is a green light on when the engine is running, and it is hard to see. When you get the alarm, does the red light come on???

[harleytimes]

HondaRay,
I never see a green light on when the engine is running. Don't recall a green light ever being on when the engine is running. When the alarm sounds, no lights appear on. I actually have video I just put up on youtube.com under my muskietime channel ("Ongoing Honda BF200 Engine Alarm Problem") where you can hear the sound, see that no lights are on and that the engine seems to be discharging water properly.
HondaRay, Thank you for taking the time to look into this ongoing matter. I do know that Honda has had an ongoing problem with their oxygen sensors but I have been told that my engine is not covered by the recall. Lastly, if you need engine readings email me at muskietime@gmail.com and I will send you an Idle Health Check, PGM-FI DataList and Freeze Data.

[Hickory Legend]

Just because it appears to be peeing good doesn't mean that it has good water pressure. If it was getting hot though, it would still be beeping when you restarted it, or would stop once the engine cools off.

When I blew the main fuse to my engine it would sound like that, "no Charging" until I replaced the fuse. wonder if the alternator might be going bad.

Just throwing out darts here, dont shoot me!!!!!LOL

Here is the link to his video,

921 Pro XP

[HondaRay]

It is not water pressure...
Where are you located?

[HondaRay]

The O2 sensor does not cause your engine to "choke down" at higher rpms. Watch the red light by your key switch. See if this comes on when the engine shuts down (goes into "safe mode") at higher speeds.

[harleytimes]

HondaRay, I live in Wheeling, Illinois and have no problem dragging my boat to the best wrench. I drag my boat over 100 miles just to get to what I believe is a good mechanic.

[HondaRay]

First I want to know more about the Shutting Down at WOT.

[harleytimes]

HondaRay, Sorry for the delay in responding. I have a video of what happens when the engine goes into "safe mode" after running at higher speeds:
No warning lights at the key switch or at the throttle go on until after the engine shuts down. The lights that do go on when the engine shuts down are the same as when when the engine key is initially turned to the "on" positon. Note that the engine does not always do this. In fact, I can run fifteen miles at one time with no issues and then it happens once. Then run another 20 miles without a problem.

[HondaRay]

I have asked a Honda Tech to look at this site and offer suggestions. It is possible you have two problems, one the idling thing and the other going into safe mode...but then could all be the same issue. You need help from a good dealer and I would not run the boat until resolved. If I hear more, I will post.

[harleytimes]

HondaRay, Feel free to have the Honda Tech contact Frank at Calumet Marine, 708-862-2407 who has the boat at this time. Bummer missing late fall muskie fishing but did land twelve in Canada two weeks ago. Largest were 46", 50" and 51".

[Olypopper]

Has your dealer hooked up a Dr. H. to the engine and actually test run it?

[HondaRay]

Catching would be fun...no way would I want to unhook the beast.

[HondaRay]

I talked with the Honda Tech today. Really could one of three things...
My advice to keep you from going around in circles, carry your engine to a service and check the history for the alarms. Note low voltage, water in fuel and oil pressure. I think Olypopper has the right advice. The Honda Tech agrees.
Good Luck.