Honda AquaTrax - February's Service Tip - Engine Oil

[Zip326]

First I would like to thank Rob for letting me post some helpful tips for those of you that own a Honda watercraft. For my first post I thought I would list how you check the engine oil and change the engine oil on a 4-Stroke Honda Watercraft, Since this is one of the main items that is differant from the two stroke watercraft.

The Honda F-12 and F-12X watercraft’s engine uses a dry sump oil system. So unless you just got done riding your watercraft (another words the engine has been running for 5 to 10 minutes) then no oil will appear on the dip stick on top of the motor where the upper oil tank is. The engine oil will show up on the dipstick only if the engine has been running for 5 to 10 minutes. Also remember this is a Honda so unless the boat is smoking excessively or you see oil in the hull you do not need to check it every ride (Owner’s manual does recommend to check before you ride). So if you fell the need to check the engine oil before you ride then follow the Lower Sump Drain Pipe Check Procedure. Otherwise if you want to check after the engine has been running like after you ride or flush look below at Oil Level Check Procedure.


LOWER SUMP LEVEL CHECK for when the engine has NOT been running.

NOTE: You may want to have a flash light and a manual fluid extractor pump with you. You’ll use the flash light to help see the drain pipe at the rear of the engine at the bottom. The drain pipe is the location where you get to the lower oil sump and where you pump the oil out when you do an oil change. The Fluid extractor pump in case you need to remove oil from the oil sump or oil tank.

STEP #1: Secure the watercraft on a stand or trailer and keep it level (Most driveways and loading ramps are not level).

STEP #2: Remove the seat and the rear tray.

STEP #3: Remove the oil drain pipe cap (which you will find at the rear of the engine, see picture)

STEP #4: Insert the filler cap/dipstick (the dipstick is on top of the engine in the oil tank) into the oil drain pipe until it seats, then remove it and check the oil level.

- If oil appears on the dipstick, install the filler cap/dipstick and drain pipe cap, and proceed to the Oil Level Check Procedure.

- If there is no oil on the dipstick, do not start the engine. Reinstall the drain pipe cap and tighten it. Add the recommended engine oil (see Oil Change Section Below and/or Oil Fill Chart Below for recommended oil) into the oil tank (on top of the engine) through the filler hole checking periodically at the drain pipe with the dipstick until oil shows on the dipstick at the drain pipe (the drain pipe is in the rear of the engine near the bottom). Do not over fill. Install the filler cap/dipstick and proceed to the Oil Level Check Procedure.


The Next Post will have the Oil Level Check Procedure.

[Zip326]

OK Here's Part #2

OIL LEVEL CHECK PROCEDURE:

If the engine has not already been running or if you want to check your oil before you take it to the water and you have determined that the lower sump has oil by the procedure above then:

STEP #1: Secure the watercraft on a stand or trailer and keep it level (Most driveways and loading ramps are not level).

STEP #2: Using the flushing procedure for your Honda (from your owners manual and/or www.hapscycle.com web site): Start the engine, turn on the fresh water, Let the engine idle for at least 5 minutes, turn off the water, rev the engine to at least 4,000 rpm to clear water out of the exhaust, Stop the engine and wait a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes).

STEP #3: Remove the filler cap/dipstick, and wipe it clean.

STEP #4: Insert the dipstick into the filler hole in the oil tank until it seats, but do not screw it in.

STEP #5: The engine contains a sufficient amount of oil if the oil level is between the upper and lower level marks on the dipstick.

STEP #6: If the oil level is near or below the lower level mark, add the recommended engine oil through the filler hole, until the oil level reaches the upper level mark.

NOTE: If the oil is below the lower mark you will not have to add much oil to get it to the upper mark on the dipstick when checking at the oil tank on top of the motor after running the engine. So after you add a ½ quart of oil run the flushing procedure at STEP #2 again and let the oil circulate and then follow STEP# 3 thru #6 again.


Next post will have the oil change and oil fill information (oil chart, how much oil, etc..)

[Zip326]

PART #3

OIL CHANGE and OIL FILL INFORMATION


NOTE: You should change the oil with the engine warm to assure complete draining. If it is not warm then follow the flushing procedure and warm the Honda watercraft up (see your owner’s manual and/or www.hapscycle.com for flushing procedure information). You Will Need A: Commercially available fluid evacuator pumps either manual or electric, measuring cup (to use for the last bit of oil that you pour into the engine), Oil filter wrench (universal adjustable wrench will work but the expensive Honda wrench part# 07HAA-PJ70100 works better), Honda oil filter, and oil (see chart below).

STEP #1: Secure the watercraft on a stand or trailer and keep it level (Most driveways and loading ramps are not level).

STEP #2: Remove the seat and rear tray. Removing the Grab Rail and Air filter assembly (we have the air box in the way a little if you have a Turbo model, again you do not have to remove it) will make this procedure easier.

STEP #3: Warm up the engine for few minutes according to the flushing procedure (see your owner’s manual and/or www.hapscycle.com for flushing procedure information). Start the engine, turn on the fresh water, Let the engine idle for at least 5 minutes, turn off the water, rev the engine to at least 4,000 rpm to clear water out of the exhaust, Stop the engine and wait a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes).

STEP #4: Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and the drain pipe cap.

STEP #5: Pump out the engine oil with a commercially available Fluid Evacuator from the oil filler hole (which is on top of the engine) and drain pipe (which is at the rear and bottom of the engine), to drain the oil tank and oil pan.

STEP #6: Place a shop towel around the oil filter cartridge to avoid spilling the engine oil (one of the many cool things about the Honda is the oil filter tray which catch the oil in which you will notice a notch in the tray to catch the excess oil with a rag or cup).

STEP #7: Remove the oil filter cartridge and discard it.

STEP #8: Clean any oil from the cartridge seating surface of the engine and the oil filter tray.

STEP #9: Apply engine oil to the O-ring and threads of a new oil filter cartridge (Honda part# 15410-MCJ-000) and install the filter using the filter wrench.

NOTE: The oil filter on the Honda watercraft looks like the same oil filter as the one on a CBR1100XX Honda part #15410-MM9-013 (which some people have said is the same). This is not the case! The Honda watercraft ARX1200T3 (Turbo model F-12X) and ARX1200N3 (non-turbo F-12) use the Honda oil filter part # 15410-MCJ-000 which fits these motorcycles: VTR1000F Superhawk 1998 to 2003, CBR600F4 1999 to 2003, CBR900RR/CBR929RR/CBR954RR 2001 to 2003, RC51 2000 to 2003, GL1800 Goldwing 2001 to 2003, VFR800 Interceptor 2002 to 2003, VTX1800 2001 to 2003, VTX1300 2002 to 2003, ST1300 2003, and more (so you can buy your oil filter from any Honda motorcycle dealer if a watercraft dealer is not near you).

STEP #10: Torque the oil filter with the Honda wrench to 26 N•m (2.7 kgf•m, 20 lbf•ft)

STEP #11: After draining the oil completely, install the drain pipe cap and pour the recommended oil into the oil tank through the filler hole at the top of the engine.

OIL FILL CHART INFORMATION:

RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL: Pro Honda GN4, HP4 or HP4M 4-stroke oil or an equivalent motor oil API service classification: SG or Higher JASO T 903 standard: MA Viscosity: 10W–40

OIL CAPACITY:
ARX1200T3 (Turbocharger model F-12X):
4.2 liters (4.4 US qt, 3.7 Imp qt) at draining
4.3 liters (4.5 US qt, 3.8 Imp qt) at draining/filter change
5.3 liters (5.6 US qt, 4.7 Imp qt) at disassembly

ARX1200N3 (Non-Turbo F-12):
3.9 liters (4.1 US qt, 3.4 Imp qt) at draining
4.0 liters (4.2 US qt, 3.5 Imp qt) at draining/filter change
5.0 liters (5.3 US qt, 4.4 Imp qt) at disassembly

STEP #12: Replace the dipstick back into the oil fill at the oil tank on top of the engine.

STEP #13: Go back to the Oil Level Check Procedure above and follow those steps again.

NOTE: Recycle Wastes. It's illegal and thoughtless to put used engine oil in the trash, down a drain, or on the ground. Used oil, gasoline, coolant, and cleaning solvents contain poisons that can hurt refuse workers and contaminate our drinking water, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Before changing your oil, make sure you have the proper containers. Put oil and other toxic wastes in separate sealed containers and take them to a recycling center. Call your local or state office of public works or environmental services to find a recycling center in your area, and to get instructions on how to dispose of non-recyclable wastes.

[Lukey]

NOTE : There is an error in the tread above regarding the recommended RPM from Honda regarding clearing out of excess water during a flush proceedure:

"rev the engine to at least 4,000 rpm to clear water out of the exhaust"

Should read:

...rev the engine to a maximum of 4,000 rpm to clear water out of the exhaust... not any higher or damage may result.

Otherwise this is a very informative post. Many thanks.

[RiverDad]

Lukey,

Did you see the date on the post ? Should all be still relevant today though ? Many guys dont use the OEM filter I believe .... but an equivalent.

Regards
Anthony

[UaVaj]

Why hasn't this bee sticky? this is a technical honda forum isn't it.

[pairohondas]

It should be common knowledge, especially for someone with 1046 posts and only 3 months of riding...

[UaVaj]

I was thinking about the other new folks who don't have 1047 post in 3 month of riding. I am sure those folks will find it useful.

Be opened minded - will you.

[thajeffski]

def should be stuck up top

[JohnMellencamp]

Wish I woulda read this before my oil change very informative . Bumping an old post for all you new Honda owners . 10 hours comes around real fast protect your investment and it will serve you for a long time

Edit: definetly a sticky .