Honda BF9.9A Owner's Manual page 22

8. After starting, be sure water is flowing out of the water check hole.
If water does not flow out, or if steam comes out, stop the engine.
Check to see if the screen in the cooling water inlet is obstructed. Do
not operate the engine until the problem has been corrected.
9. If the choke was used, push it in gradually as the engine warms up.
NOTE:
Before leaving the dock, check the operation of the emergency stop
switch.
20