Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A (V6) service guide
Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A (V6) (175 to 225 hp, four-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.
Models covered: BF200A and BF225A (VTEC on the BF225A), 4-stroke OHC V6, 3,471 cm³, PGM-FI; types LD, XD, XCD, XXD, XXCD.
Quick answers
- How much oil does a Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A take?
- 7.6 L (8.0 US qt); 7.8 L (8.2 US qt) with filter.
- What engine oil does a Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A use?
- SAE 10W-30, API SG/SH/SJ.
- What gear oil does a Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A use, and how much?
- Marine SAE 90 hypoid gear oil, API GL-4 or GL-5. Quantity: 1.17 L (1.24 US qt).
- What spark plug does a Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A use?
- NGK IZFR6F-11 or Denso VKJ20RZ-M11, qty 6; do not adjust the gap. Gap: 1.0 to 1.1 mm (0.040 to 0.043 in); limit 1.3 mm.
- How often should a Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A 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 BF175A / BF200A / BF225A?
- 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 BF175A / BF200A / BF225A?
- 650 ± 50 r/min in neutral; trolling 650 ± 50 r/min. Base idle with the IAC 2P connector off: 570 ± 30 r/min.
- What is the propeller nut torque on a Honda BF175A / BF200A / BF225A?
- 1.0 N·m (0.1 kgf·m), then tighten until the split pin fits, maximum 44.1 N·m (4.5 kgf·m, 33 lbf·ft).
Maintenance specs
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-30, API SG/SH/SJ |
|---|---|
| Engine oil quantity | 7.6 L (8.0 US qt); 7.8 L (8.2 US qt) with filter. |
| Oil filter | Hand tight until the seal touches, then 7/8 turn more |
| Engine oil drain plug | 23 N·m (2.3 kgf·m, 17 lbf·ft), new 12 mm washer; drain plug cover screw 6.4 N·m (4.7 lbf·ft) |
| Gear oil | Marine SAE 90 hypoid gear oil, API GL-4 or GL-5 |
| Gear oil quantity | 1.17 L (1.24 US qt) |
| Spark plug | NGK IZFR6F-11 or Denso VKJ20RZ-M11, qty 6; do not adjust the gap |
| Spark plug gap | 1.0 to 1.1 mm (0.040 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 | 650 ± 50 r/min in neutral; trolling 650 ± 50 r/min. Base idle with the IAC 2P connector off: 570 ± 30 r/min |
| Thermostats (two) | Starts opening 60 °C (140 °F), fully open 70 °C (158 °F), lift more than 3.0 mm |
| Anodes | Gear case anode 6 mm self-locking nut 9.8 N·m (7 lbf·ft); stern bracket anode 6 x 25 mm bolts 9.8 N·m (7 lbf·ft) |
| Propeller castle nut | 1.0 N·m (0.1 kgf·m), then tighten until the split pin fits, maximum 44.1 N·m (4.5 kgf·m, 33 lbf·ft) |
| Valve clearance, cold | IN 0.20 to 0.24 mm; EX 0.28 to 0.32 mm; order 1, 4, 2, 5, 3, 6; lock nut 20 N·m (14 lbf·ft) |
| Timing belt deflection | 8.8 to 9.7 mm (0.35 to 0.38 in) at 19.6 N (2 kgf) between the left driven pulley and idler pulley B; tensioner bolt 39 N·m (29 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
Check: fuel filter
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, fuel filter, thermostat
Every 2 years or 400 hours
Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, spark plugs, fuel filter, 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 BF200A/BF225A Shop Manual, part no. 66ZY200. Specs can change by model year and serial number, so always confirm your exact model from the serial tag on the clamp bracket.