Honda BF135A / BF150A service guide
Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Honda BF135A / BF150A (135 to 150 hp, four-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.
Models covered: BF135A and BF150A (VTEC on the BF150A), 4-stroke DOHC 4 cylinder, 2,354 cm³, PGM-FI fuel injection; types LC, LD, LCD, XC, XD, XCC, XCD (LCD, XCC, XCD counter rotation).
Quick answers
- How much oil does a Honda BF135A / BF150A take?
- 6.5 L (6.9 US qt) without filter; 6.7 L (7.1 US qt) with filter.
- What engine oil does a Honda BF135A / BF150A use?
- SAE 10W-30, API SG/SH/SJ.
- What gear oil does a Honda BF135A / BF150A use, and how much?
- Marine SAE 90 hypoid gear oil, API GL-4. Quantity: 0.98 L (1.04 US qt).
- What spark plug does a Honda BF135A / BF150A use?
- NGK IZFR6K11 or Denso SKJ20DR-M11 (iridium, do not adjust the gap), qty 4. Gap: 1.0 to 1.1 mm (0.039 to 0.043 in); limit 1.3 mm.
- How often should a Honda BF135A / BF150A be serviced?
- The factory schedule lists: First month or 20 hours; Every 6 months or 100 hours; Every year or 200 hours; Every 2 years or 400 hours. In Hawaiʻi's salt water we do a full yearly service every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, and a new engine needs its first (break-in) service.
- When should the water pump impeller be replaced on a Honda BF135A / BF150A?
- The factory schedule gives no replacement interval. In Hawaiʻi's warm salt water we replace it every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, because a worn impeller is the most common cause of overheating.
- What is the idle speed of a Honda BF135A / BF150A?
- 750 ± 50 r/min in neutral; trolling 650 ± 50 r/min.
- What is the propeller nut torque on a Honda BF135A / BF150A?
- 1 N·m (0.1 kgf·m), then tighten until the split pin fits, maximum 44 N·m (4.5 kgf·m, 33 lbf·ft).
Maintenance specs
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-30, API SG/SH/SJ |
|---|---|
| Engine oil quantity | 6.5 L (6.9 US qt) without filter; 6.7 L (7.1 US qt) with filter. |
| Oil filter | Hand tight until the seal touches, then 7/8 turn more with tool 07HAA-PJ70101; 12 N·m (1.2 kgf·m, 9 lbf·ft) |
| Engine oil drain plug bolt | 23 N·m (2.3 kgf·m, 17 lbf·ft), new 12 mm washer |
| Gear oil | Marine SAE 90 hypoid gear oil, API GL-4 |
| Gear oil quantity | 0.98 L (1.04 US qt) |
| Gear oil level and drain bolts | 3.4 N·m (0.35 kgf·m, 2.5 lbf·ft), new O-rings |
| Spark plug | NGK IZFR6K11 or Denso SKJ20DR-M11 (iridium, do not adjust the gap), qty 4 |
| Spark plug gap | 1.0 to 1.1 mm (0.039 to 0.043 in); limit 1.3 mm |
| Spark plug torque | 18 N·m (1.8 kgf·m, 13 lbf·ft); new plug 1/2 turn after seating, reused 1/8 to 1/4 turn |
| Idle speed | 750 ± 50 r/min in neutral; trolling 650 ± 50 r/min |
| Thermostats (two) | Cylinder head (purple paint or 2 grooves): opens 48 to 52 °C, fully open 60 °C. Cylinder block (no paint or 3 grooves): opens 58 to 62 °C, fully open 70 °C. Lift more than 3.0 mm both |
| Propeller castle nut (18 mm) | 1 N·m (0.1 kgf·m), then tighten until the split pin fits, maximum 44 N·m (4.5 kgf·m, 33 lbf·ft) |
| Valve clearance, cold | IN 0.21 to 0.25 mm; EX 0.28 to 0.32 mm; lock nut IN 20 N·m (14 lbf·ft), EX 14 N·m (10 lbf·ft) |
Service schedule
The factory maintenance intervals, with what is replaced and what is checked at each. Rows marked Hawaiʻi are our shop's yearly service for salt water use.
First month or 20 hours
Replace: engine oil, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets
Check: spark plugs
Every 6 months or 100 hours
Replace: engine oil, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets
Every year or 200 hours
Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller
Check: spark plugs, thermostat
Every 2 years or 400 hours
Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, spark plugs, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller
Check: thermostat
We replace the water pump impeller at every service from 200 hours up, which can be sooner than the factory schedule, because of Hawaiʻi’s warm salt water.
Source: Honda BF135A/BF150A Shop Manual. Specs can change by model year and serial number, so always confirm your exact model from the serial tag on the clamp bracket.