I am having problems starting my 1978 Johnson 200 HP. Hope this post is not too detailed but, man, I have tried every trick I know.
The issue : Motor is very hard to start. After about 20 seconds it will fire off once but won't ever stay running more than maybe one revolution regardless of throttle input. This continues for several minutes - crank crank fire, crank crank fire but no follow through.
If its in the yard I can see exhaust smoke when it's not audibly firing; it gradually begins to fire more and then I will let off the keyswitch. Eventually it will sputter to life. It takes a minute before it runs properly. It acts fuel starved to me but then smokes a lot for the first few minutes.
If a fuel/gas mixture is sprayed in the carb throats before or during starting it fires off quickly but still doesn't fire right up. It barely runs for about a minute and then runs normally.
After initial start it will run fine and start fine all day long. Runs very well except at start up which can take 5 minutes. I've used it this way for two years.
Starting procedure : Prime motor with bulb. Advance throttle ever so slightly. Any more throttle and the motor will not start at all. Apply electric choke. Turn key and hold choke till it fires. Repeat, repeat.
Background : I bought the motor in this condition two years ago with the intention of fixing it easily. Right.
Since purchase I have done the following : Rebuild carbs, rebuild both fuel pumps, replace external spin on fuel filter, replace both power packs due to one failure (stator voltage tested lower on one side than the other but in the acceptable range according to my mechanic friend who helped with test), replace spark plugs, check timing at idle, adjusted the two choke butterflies (they are fully closed when actuated), seafoam decarbonized.
Any thoughts, ideas, theories or advice would be welcomed. I don't want to be embarrassed at the landing this year! Thanks for listening.
Rob
The issue : Motor is very hard to start. After about 20 seconds it will fire off once but won't ever stay running more than maybe one revolution regardless of throttle input. This continues for several minutes - crank crank fire, crank crank fire but no follow through.
If its in the yard I can see exhaust smoke when it's not audibly firing; it gradually begins to fire more and then I will let off the keyswitch. Eventually it will sputter to life. It takes a minute before it runs properly. It acts fuel starved to me but then smokes a lot for the first few minutes.
If a fuel/gas mixture is sprayed in the carb throats before or during starting it fires off quickly but still doesn't fire right up. It barely runs for about a minute and then runs normally.
After initial start it will run fine and start fine all day long. Runs very well except at start up which can take 5 minutes. I've used it this way for two years.
Starting procedure : Prime motor with bulb. Advance throttle ever so slightly. Any more throttle and the motor will not start at all. Apply electric choke. Turn key and hold choke till it fires. Repeat, repeat.
Background : I bought the motor in this condition two years ago with the intention of fixing it easily. Right.
Since purchase I have done the following : Rebuild carbs, rebuild both fuel pumps, replace external spin on fuel filter, replace both power packs due to one failure (stator voltage tested lower on one side than the other but in the acceptable range according to my mechanic friend who helped with test), replace spark plugs, check timing at idle, adjusted the two choke butterflies (they are fully closed when actuated), seafoam decarbonized.
Any thoughts, ideas, theories or advice would be welcomed. I don't want to be embarrassed at the landing this year! Thanks for listening.
Rob
