Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

[fishon71]

I have a 1991 Johnson 3 HP JB3REIA that was not running at all. I pulled carb apart and cleaned, blew with air.

Now it will start but it will only continue to run if I keep choke closed most of time and just crack it as it dies. I need to keep doing this to keep it running.

What do you think is wrong? Sucking air from some place?

Bill

 

[blue fin]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

I have a 1991 Johnson 3 HP JB3REIA that was not running at all. I pulled carb apart and cleaned, blew with air.

Now it will start but it will only continue to run if I keep choke closed most of time and just crack it as it dies. I need to keep doing this to keep it running.

What do you think is wrong? Sucking air from some place?

Bill

Have you tried adjusting the iddle screw. Maybe the previous owner really tampered with the adjustments.

 

[fishon71]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

The screw was set at one turn out - so yes I played with is in and out. What is the recomended starting position?

Bill

 

[tfbrown1270]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

well I'm not expert but I believe others have recommended starting at 1 1/2 out.....as for needing the choke that means its crazy LEAN and needs to block out the air to run, ADD FUEL, back the idle adjust out, 1/2 turn for sure, 2 or 3 (out = CCW) might not be a bad place to start...if it'll run with out the choke at that point you are close(r)

 

[Walker]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

I'd suggest going thru the carb again. Bet a dollar its got a clog somewhere.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

ITs running too lean. Reclean making sure to clean the jets. Set low speed to 1 1/2 turns and adjust from there.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

I agree to clean the carb again. You really need to soak them to get all the crud out. miss a little and it will clog again.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

Almost a sure bet that the high speed orfice jet is dirty. It has to be squeeky shiny clean. Any coating of gum or varnish at all on it will reduce the orfice size and restrict flow of fuel through it, making it lean and requiring choking. On the other hand, don't go shoving wires and drills and stuff through it. Just clean it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

did you use a rebuild kit? if not most of the you probably wasted your time.

 

[fishon71]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

okay - okay, I will pull apart and soak. I have NAPA carb soak stuff. It didn't look to bad so I just used some spray stuff and the air - did not use rebuild kit as everything looks good inside.

I'll be back - Bill

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

On the other hand, don't go shoving wires and drills and stuff through it. Just clean it.

That is sound advice as you dont want to scratch the insides. However I use some soft copper wire as I would not expect that to damage brass jets. Others will suggest the bristle from a brush but that may be too soft and you probably won't get one long enough. Maybe some nylon monofilament fishing line is the answer. Personally I'll stick with cautious use of copper wire!

I definitely think that a thorough carb clean is called for but do not overlook the posibility of a restriction between tank and carb or of the fuel level in the float chamber being very low (Unlikely IMHO)

Any air leak that is going to affect it will be a joint between the carb and the crankcase.

 

[fishon71]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

Ya, this has a stupid choke/fuel shut off in one knob - don't like that but the bowl was full of gass when I looked. Fuel seems to flow to bowl okay.

Carb is soaking .....

 

[fishon71]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

By golly I think its fixed, ran for a minute on the bench no choke - need to plunk in some water now for the real test - thanks to all for conveincing me it needed a soaking. All looked good for what I could see, I guess its what you can't see .....

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

By golly I think its fixed, ran for a minute on the bench no choke - need to plunk in some water now for the real test - thanks to all for conveincing me it needed a soaking. All looked good for what I could see, I guess its what you can't see .....

Yikes, if you ran your motor for minute out of water,you'll be needing a water pump impeller too. Watch the motor for overheating.

 

[fishon71]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

Ran for 30 minutes and tank like a clock and pumped water - stayed cool. Did have a hard time starting first time though.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

Sometimes it takes a bit to get them started after a rebuild. Testing in a tank is good, but make your final adjustments with the motor on the boat while you are on the lake.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Johnson 3 HP, wont run unless I constanly choke it

I have been using hardened steel pin guage's, and music wire pin's for a long time without trouble. The thing is to use the proper size. You want to lightly scrape, and push the crud out, not chisel it out with a bent wire. I have found jet's not to be the size they were marked using this method, usually after someone had taken a drill to them.