1980 Johnson 115 Won't Start

[brandonw409]

So I am sure there are a hundred post on "my engine won't start" but I can't seem to find my answer so I am posting my own.

Model: J115TLCSA

I have ran this boat probably 5 or 6 times since I bought it. It has a known week cylinder but I haven't been able to get to that problem yet and that doesn't keep it from starting. The last time it did run, the motor was missing really bad for about the first 15 minutes in the water and then it would "kick in" and run fine. It did that twice on me and now it won't even start.

My friend and I checked one of the spark plugs for spark and we were getting it so we couldn't figured out what the heck! Spark and fuel was not the issue! Well after thinking of everything we could, I had the bright idea of saying, "Hey maybe we should see if all the plugs are firing!" Well sure enough only one plug was sparking! And now, none of them are sparking. So I looked in the manual and they have a bunch of test to see if it's the power pack, ignition coils, stator, charge coil, or sensor coil. I don't guess the instructions are very clear to me or something because I can't really tell what isn't working. I suspect the power packs but what do I know?! Could really use some pointers! Thanks!

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1980 Johnson 115 Won't Start

Its 1980 I guess...

A spark test require a spark GAP tester, you can't test for spark with a sparkplug. Autozone sells gap testers for less than $10.

Try cranking it, examine all the plugs to see if they are wet after trying to start it.

set the gap tester to 7/16th inch and see if it will jump that.
Battery needs to be healthy for spark test.

if the plugs were dry you need to look at fuel delivery, fuel lines, pump, but carb rebuilding being the likely one.

if the plugs are wet proceed with the spark test.
Just follow the manual to isolate the problem.
Get a factory manual.

www.outboardbooks.com

if you don't have a peak reading meter you need to get one or a DVA adapter, or build your own. Very simple.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2016261#post2016261

 

[brandonw409]

Re: 1980 Johnson 115 Won't Start

Ended up having to replace one of the power packs. I still have a problem where when I get on the water after not running it for a week or so, the motor seems like it won't kick in for the first 10-15 minutes then once it is warmed up it will run fine. I guess it's a fuel problem or a carb problem. Not sure...any help is appreciated!