1991 30hp Johnny wont start

[TAF]

I took my 1991 30hp tiller /pullstart out of hibernation yesterday. I was very excited when it started on the 3rd pull. It ran a little rough, then died. It started right back up, then died again after 20-30sec. started agian the died, now it won't start at all. I did notice a couple things: 1. When I pumped the ball fuel was leaking by the o-ring at the filter/fuelpump mating surface 2. The choke would not stay all the way out, it would slide back in.
I tightened up the leaky o-ring area. Won't start. The choke is now extremely hard to pull out, and as I do fuel is squirting out of the three little fuel/vaccuum lines that run from the choke to a splitter then to the top of carb and the block. Are these vaccum or fuel lines?
Compression is good @ 125psi both cyl's. Any suggestions?

 

[Harker]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

That "choke" is a primer..it squirts fuel into the intake behind the carb and the little lines are fuel lines to it. Sounds like you need to replace rotten lines. You may have a dirty carb too. I had an obstruction in the little tube from the primer to the bach of the carb and it popped the line off. Rebuild the carb, check the o-rings in the primer assembly and clean it out while apart and replace all your leaking hoses and get an OMC manual for your motor. Good luck, they are great motors.

 

[TAF]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

Thanks for the reply. Today was a good day. I went to work on the motor again. Checked the spark: good. Pulled fuel line from pump off of the carb: good flow. I decided it must be a fuel(carb) issue. I squirted some fuel into the carb throat and a little into the cyl's. She kicked over. Tried starting again, this time i pulled the choke(primer) out and pushed it back in. she fired right off and ran well.
I think maybe I was flooding it out with the primer before. What is the recommended cold start and warm start procedure in terms of choke/primer and throttle?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

i'm not that familar with your engine, but 3 pull with the choke should be enough. then pull without the choke. it's imposible to by yourself, with a pull start, but check the spark on both cylinders.

 

[Harker]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

When you pull the primer knob out, it sucks fuel in and when you push it, it squirts it into the intake manifold behind the carb thru a very small tube/opening in the carb base. When mine is cold, I give it 3 squirts and pull..when it starts I let it idle till it warms up a bit..if it tries to die..I give it another squirt. When the motor is warm, you don't usually need to do it at all.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

3 times is the magic number on mine. Then don't prime again or else it will flood. And believe me it will flood! I replaced the primer on mine and it took me a while to figure out the right combination of primes.

 

[TAF]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

Great info, Thank you all. This would explain why it was flooding and fuel was being forced out of those little fuel lines. I will try pull/push of the primer 3 times, then pullstart.
I was able to check the spark by myself, though it was slightly painful. I pulled the plugs, attached plug wire to one plug at a time. While holding the plug wire boot with the plug inserted I pulled the rope. Good spark across the plug.
Anyway thanks for all your help.

 

[Harker]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

Make sure you check all those little hoses for cracks and pinholes..they aren't very strong.

 

[TAF]

Re: 1991 30hp Johnny wont start

Already did that. I replaced them all when one started leaking. The only thing is is that I couldn't find a small enough I.D. fuel line so I went with vaccuum line from NAPA. I hope it holds up.