Hangkai 3.6 hp Clutch Repair

Installing a new clutch in the Hangkai outboard motor.

[@frankwilson4091]

I have been afraid to buy one these motors b/c I know the parts are not as good as the more expensive brands and wear quicker. Your detailed repair videos have given me a greater vote of confidence in purchasing one. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge!

[@BoilerDan1]

You’re welcome. I think the engine block is sound. It’s the little things that you’ll be messing with. That being said, it’s not difficult to work on. I’d plan on replacing the clutch as part of routine maintenance! I think putting in a less tight clutch spring would help tremendously in lengthening clutch life! Mine would work better on a better boat too! Thanks for watching 👍

[@johnshelnutt1787]

Tks Dan, appreciate video shots of actual containers,part packages for lubes, etc, so helpful, . Your helping a lot of people your appreciated, im a retired Service plumber, any questions bout plumbing im a open book. Captaain John Montgomery AL

[@BoilerDan1]

Hey Capt. John: Thanks for the positive comments! I’ll keep recording whatever issues I run into. It’s my retirement hobby 😉

[@nicoleholmes1272]

Really appreciate all of your advice and guidance BoilerDan1, it was your reviews that gave me the confidence to invest in one of these motors. Having somebody have worked out all the bugs early on like the fuel lines and spark plug issues etc made it really easy for me to make my motor better before it was even used once + really easy to replace these parts with ones of better quality with your comprehensive step-by-step instructions. I live in Australia (state of Tasmania currently) and I have very limited knowledge and experience with any motors, so thank you again for all of your help. A new unprecedented experience that I had with my motor recently did cause me a minor headache but was a relatively cheap fix, and I wanted to give you and others a heads up so that you know what to expect if the same thing happens to you. Basically lower water levels in summer caught me off guard and while in shallower waters I struck two submerged objects, both timber not rock I believe. I visually inspected the prop etc at the time and aside from expected cosmetic damage it seemed ok and appeared to still operate. A few months later it came time for me to service the gear oil and when I tried to remove the split pin through the prop it wouldn't budge. At first I thought it was because I had reused the split pin a few times and it had buggered it, but after an hour of doing everything I could think of to remove it, I did manage to successfully inch the pin free. Next I went to remove the prop which normally slides off easily being greased etc, but this time it was jumpy sliding off and got caught a few times. Once it pulled off without a second thought I just tried to slide it back on to see if it got caught again, but I couldn't get it to slide back on? So I flipped over the prop to inspect the inside and I was stunned to see that the section inside the prop that is moulded to the shape of the little bar that goes through the prop shaft had broken in places! Not enough to stop the remaining intact internal structure to sit on the bar properly and continue to drive the prop, but enough for small chips of aluminium to have broken away and be getting jammed in things. Even though it is still usable as it is I am opting to get a new prop online (was less than AUD$20 delivered via ebay) because they can be acquired for relatively cheap and I figure the old one can just be put away as an emergency spare. Finally I needed to get the little bar through the prop shaft out to be able to carry out the gear oil change, but of course it was bent just slightly on both ends, just enough so that it couldn't be pulled out either direction. I had to cut it off with a grinder to get it free, luckily there are a few spares of that piece with the motor. So eventually I realized that the two impacts that had occurred were responsible for all of the damage and problems from the little bar through the prop shaft, to everything above it. Not a hard fix but just thought I'd let you know about my own experience, not particularly looking forward to having to do my clutch soon but I have just got a new Parsun 9.8hp two stroke so I shouldn't need to run the little motor as often anymore either. Thank you again and I look forward to viewing your next Hangkai outboard videos, from Gareth H @ ETNW.

[@BoilerDan1]

Nicole Holmes : Thanks for taking the time to write! That little bent bar is a shear pin. The idea is that it should have snapped in two, preventing the damage to your prop.... oh well, another lesson for us all! Thanks for watching!

[@tomhannockoutlaw972]

Absolutely one of the best reviews on KZbin.

[@BoilerDan1]

Wow! Thanks. After retirement, I was just finding something to channel my energy to. I have always looked things up on KZbin so I decided to document my experience with this cheap little motor. And that was my beginning. I really appreciate your feedback. It’s nice to know that my efforts are somewhat worthwhile 😁

[@jeffdurden398]

Thanks so much for doing this series. Actually doesn't look like a terrible engine for some applications. I need a small outboard to get a dingy out to a moored sailboat and this is NOT the outboard for me. There is too much time and work keeping a 40 yr old sailboat in good working order to spend a lot of time messing with the kicker for a dingy. I'll pony up the extra money for a Tohatsu or decent used Yamaha. Great job.

[@BoilerDan1]

Jeff Smith Thanks for taking the time to comment! I’m happy to have provided information helpful in your decision. I totally agree with your choice! I rarely take mine out and as you’ve seen in the videos, I keep having to make little repairs.... clutch replacement the most recent.... I’ve decided that will need to be a seasonal routine maintenance item 😂🥺

[@gerardcollins1767]

@@BoilerDan1 clutch material is problem,french moped clutches never wear out same principle vintage bikesget yours relined with good western pads by some one who does brake shoes,still dont trust any rubber hoses from china,they dont use proper formula for mix check out online many failures cars bikes the loi,thanks for all detail close up for bolts and they do engage all theway look at your tap and die set.good luck from the clyde scotland

[@garypellerin5576]

Glad I found this. So very good tips, thanks. I may buy one of these motors just to work on it. Why did you replace the factor spring on the new clutch assembly?

[@BoilerDan1]

Two clarifications. 1. You don’t need to break it in using a bucket. Just take it out on the water. Mine arrived in the winter. I kept adding snow to keep the water cool. You can run a hose as an alternative. 2. The clutch spring is way too heavy so the clutch doesn’t engage at low speed. That also caused the clutch to wear out a lot sooner. If you completely remove the spring the propeller will always turn but so will the cooling wheel. Just have to shut down when you pull into dock. But I don’t think at an idle you’d get much thrust. Thanks for watching, I made several videos of my adventure, I hope they continue to be helpful…. Several people also report that the spark plug goes bad. I’d replace that too.

[@mikenetto9056]

Great videos Dan! Did you obtain greater life from the Honda aftermarket clutch? I suspect the lighter spring allows quicker seating of the friction material, as well as greater force at mid level RPMs. I'm curious to know how you fared!

[@BoilerDan1]

All the springs were too heavy so I ended putting in a very light spring that I picked up at a hardware store. It did much better, although it may have been so light that at idle the prop may have still been too. That was fine with me. I’m getting a little older and sold the system. That person was familiar with the motor and thrilled to have mine. I’d have been happier with it on a hard shell small boat….. The raft was a little too spongy causing it to lose thrust. But I had a lot of fun with it and would do it all over again.😂👍 Thanks for watching and hope the series helped you too. 👍👍

[@kennethmkirschprofessional267]

Great Dan!👍 Wanna see how it now runs. When I looked at my clutch, I took it apart from the top so the shaft and water line stayed attached all the time. Were you able to freely spin the shaft and prop by hand? Mine was way too stiff to turn by hand. Thx!

[@BoilerDan1]

Hmm, I never thought to take it apart from the top.... Darn, I'll have to look at it differently next clutch change! I was able to turn both the shaft and prop by hand, although it was kind of stiff. but it would turn. I'm hoping I'll get the speed I've been missing? I'm going of a little vacation, so it's going to be a couple of weeks unless I can work a day out before leaving?

[@kennethmkirschprofessional267]

Update: Took the whole thing apart to examine. The main shaft gear cog was too loose and slipping on the prop shaft gear. Tightened it down. Also shimmied down the rubber water impeller as it was too tight in its housing. It works now! Lots of water running through and the prop spins and displaces all the water in the test bucket. Just in time for the winter. Well next season will come around quick enough. 👍😊

[@sonnyanderson4273]

What brand clutch did you buy and did you get it from Amazon? There's a lot of brands an a lot of difference in prices. Thanks for the videos.

[@BoilerDan1]

Amazon. I ordered two, one was just the clutch and the second had bolts included. Yes there are several to choose from and I think any of them would work. If you can find one that looks like the tension spring is lighter, I’d recommend that. Here’s a link to the one I purchased: Clutch Drive Bolt Washers For... www.amazon.com/dp/B07J6F4J6M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share You’re welcome 👍

[@sonnyanderson4273]

Thanks, that will make it much easier on a mechanically declined old fella.

[@ruthdoyle9085]

I would guess you would want to be at idle or WOT (clutch fully disengaged or fully engaged) so the clutch doesn’t have much time to slip. Driving around slowly might wear out the clutch in one day...

[@BoilerDan1]

Yes, but even doing that I think the clutch would wear out in one season! Putting in the lighter spring really helps 👍I’d recommend that at the first clutch change. Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@livingthedream4882]

Hi ya dan ..quick question i was on boat yesterday and my engine started smoking from around the spark plug area and fuel spitting out do u no what cursed it ?

[@BoilerDan1]

I’m not a mechanic so I’m just guessing! But if something is coming out from around the spark plug where it screws in, I would check the seal of the spark plug? It could be a little lose an the issue you are having would do that. If you have the original spark plug in it, I’d replace it. You could tighten the one in there but be careful not to over tighten for fear of stripping the threads…. Which would also give you the same type issue with leaking around it. If stripped, you’ll need a real machinist to rethread the opening….. hope that helps you in trouble shooting the motor.

[@livingthedream4882]

@@BoilerDan1 ok thank u mate thats been a big help 👍

[@algarza3031]

My clutch just went out. Did you get it on line, ebay, Amazon. I would appreciate a link to the one you used for your motor. Thanks for the detailed information on your videos.

[@BoilerDan1]

Amazon: Do a search on Amazon for GX31 clutch and you’ll get several choices, This one is just the clutch and spring. I put on a lighter spring and that has worked much better. JRL Embrague Clutch Assembly Part For HONDA GX31 GX35 Strimmer Bush Cutter 76mm www.amazon.com/dp/B01A09QFVS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_kuE3tZ5S2kFUE

[@BoilerDan1]

You can also get them from eBay. Thanks for watching 👍

[@algarza3031]

@@BoilerDan1 thank you

[@jimfitzgibbon5492]

What was the reason for a lighter spring? I assume you wanted to engage at a lower rpm. But why?

[@BoilerDan1]

Yes, you assumed correctly. I would have to go full throttle to get the clutch to engage. I also was thinking that it was slipping because a less than ideal clutch engagement. I attributed that to the clutch wearing out quicker than I would expect. So it’s a combination of engaging at a lower speed and less slipping and wear on the clutch face / surface. Hope that makes sense? Thanks for watching 👍

[@jimfitzgibbon5492]

Dan thank you for your reply. Keep us posted how it working out. I,m a motor head also. I just received my motor and thinking of just going ahead & doing that mod now. Thank you my friend. @@BoilerDan1

[@BoilerDan1]

I think it’ll help. Unfortunately, due to no nearby lake, and the river that you’ll see in some of my videos not being very safe for an inflatable…… and listening to my family….. being in my early 70’s. I sold the entire system to a guy familiar with the motor and was thrilled to have it. Last I heard it was still working out. So I’m building tall wooden ships instead of motoring around in the raft!😂👍

[@markbrown7449]

Dan, is this motor really a 3.6 hp or maybe a 1.5 or 2.5 ?

[@BoilerDan1]

Ha, you might be correct! But I can honestly tell you the because it’s on a pretty cheap air filled raft, it loses thrust because of the wrong tilt and the squishing of the raft. I really think it would work better on a light weight solid boat. It’ll push faster than a trolling motor. However the 2 stroke exhaust is below the water line so quite a bit of sound goes down into the water. If I were to start all over, I think I’d get the 4 stroke that has the muffler! Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@tkaald]

For thread lock to be effective you should apply it to threads at end of bolts. No point applying thread lock to middle of bolt if those threads do not engage the female threads.

[@BoilerDan1]

Darn.... I wish you had told me before I finished the repair! :0)….. Next time I'll do it right! Thanks for taking the time to help educate me and others.... I'm such a novice, but trying!

[@tkaald]

Forgot to say I appreciate your fine videos.

[@BoilerDan1]

@@tkaald : I really am learning as I go. The video part is just another hobby to keep me busy in retirement...…… I'm loving it by the way!

[@danielsingletarygma]

Hey there I just purchased mine did everything correctly and I can't get it to fire what should I do?

[@BoilerDan1]

1st option is to return it. 2nd option. Things to check .... Do you know that the choke lever is backwards? Off is the choke is on. ... and on means that the choke is off and the engine is on run. Do you know to push the fuel bulb several times ? Check for a spark ⚡️ on the spark plug. Mine was defective and I had to replace it. One other thing could be carburetor adjustment.... but I’m not sure on that topic. I bet you can find some general instructions on KZbin? Or you could try adjusting the screws by 1/4” turns? I’d try searching for carb adjustments for similar motors on something else.... maybe even a weed wacker 😂. Sorry.... Hope you can get it figured out.

[@adradic3782]

Haw is hangkai doing now is still ok

[@BoilerDan1]

Winter here so I won’t know until middle of spring. Thanks for watching

[@livingthedream4882]

Me again mate lol..how often do the clutches go ?

[@BoilerDan1]

I’d change it every season but you can kinda tell by the sound of the clutch. Changing the spring will help a bunch. With a lighter spring I’d guess two seasons or more...

[@livingthedream4882]

@@BoilerDan1 when u say season how many hours of run time ? . Thanks for responding mate

[@BoilerDan1]

It lasted me two summers but I didn’t keep track of hours. But in hindsight, I could start hearing it slip. Then when I knew it was time to replace it, it had very little thrust.

[@livingthedream4882]

@@BoilerDan1 thanks mate

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

10 4 runnin hose water in bucket,

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

Well I have one hour so far running in the 5 gallon bucket the number one of the two Motors that I bought pretty much everything seems to be going pretty good I have to be careful with the pull starter line got to cement poxy little work there that little gray guide back into the starter housing. Sounds like a weed whacker on steroids, Lol.

[@BoilerDan1]

John B. L. Shelnutt Be sure to keep cool water running in the bucket so you don’t overheat the motor. I ordered another clutch so I have one ready to install next season 🤣

[@buddyclatone9632]

thread locker and anti seize on the same bolt wtf. I would thread locker only, you do not want those things coming out. good video/series otherwise

[@BoilerDan1]

Good point, I guess they would work against each other! I’ll keep an eye on them this spring and next time I’ll just use the thread locker. Thanks for watching and taking the time to give your advice. It’s much appreciated.

[@moosemechanic4591]

well I guess its because if they rusted on the lower bits it would snap before you got it off, so if you have anti seize on the bottom it stops rust welding and then the thread locker on the top stops it from coming out. Idk if that makes any sense but thats kinda why I thought he did it.