4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

[Truckster]

OK I don't usually sign up for forums but I found no help from browsing this site so here is what happened.First off it is 1978 4hp Johnson Seahorse Mod#4W78E
So I was out bass fishing a week ago and was heading back to dock and all the sudden motor started bogging out as if my tank was out of gas,seemed like it had plenty left in tank to get me back! I pumped the bulb till it got hard the motor started,got me maybe 50 more feet down the lake then quit again,repeated etc..same just kept stalling out.Few days later I filled up my fuel tank 50:1 mixture,plenty gas now,went back on the lake same problems so just headed home to have a better look.Spark plugs looked kinda old(little corrosion on outside) and were pretty black and wet looking so i got new ones,STILL WONT START!
Its my first gas powered motor I traded an older canoe for this last year and it worked perfect all last summer NO PROBS.Put it away for last winter and after sitting all winter it did start no problem also had it out a bunch since this fishing season and now she quit just wont start ggrrrrr.Could it be one of the pins that my gastank plugs into is clogged?Pump bulb wont stay hard either anymore.Could the carb be dirty?
Maybe its a quick fix I'm hoping if anyone has any idea what is going on with my motor I appreciate any help!!! I can still fish with my Minn Kota trol so long as my battery has full charge atleast for now as long as I dont stray too far from the dock on a windy day

 

[JB]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Go to the Top Secret File ^^^ at the top of this forum, Truckster.

Do the "Outboard won't start" troubleshooting and let us know what you find.

Sounds to me like a fuel supply problem, but do the diagnosis.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

I took carb of it looks good seems like it is getting fuel but im thiking its not getting its spark.Plugs are new but they seem to be getting to wet to spark,everytime i take them out to look at them they are dampened with fuel maybe??? fuel pump seems to be pumping fuel as well hmmmmmm

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

.....yes carb was clean.Even aired it out while i had it off.Seems like there are coils wired to spark plugs kinda like a car would have.Could one of tose be faulty? Seen it happen with cars before???

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Go to the Top Secret File ^^^ at the top of this forum, Truckster.

Do the "Outboard won't start" troubleshooting and let us know what you find.

Sounds to me like a fuel supply problem, but do the diagnosis.

I have done it all except compression test only because I dont have a compression tester but my last guess is compression.Maybe needs new rings but I have spent enough sofar(plugs,carb cleaner etc..) I am hoping its not a piston or ring problem who knows im just fed up with it and the blisters i have from trying to start the thing.Almost ready to just throw it in the lake.confused:

 

[bktheking]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Go get a spark tester and test for spark on both plug wires. Then once you have ruled out it has no spark, which is what it sounds like it's on to inspection. Does it have a stop switch? I can't see one in the diagram but if it does disconnect it and restest for spark. Check the wires going to and from the powerpack (black square unit on the back or side of the powerhead).

 

[JB]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

What results did you get?? Saying you did it tells us nothing.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

nice blue sparks on both plugs and even gapped to propper measurment 0.30 ,
a friend of mine says he might have a compression tester Im just waiting to hear back from him hopefully soon.What should compression be? I read somewhere between 50-60 on this motor???

 

[bktheking]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

edit- lost internet connection double post

 

[bktheking]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Higher is better, 50 is kindof low and may lead to hard starting, the most important part of compression tests are both cylinder being close in compression readings. Have you tried spraying 50:1 mix in the carb to try to get it to fire up? It's either not getting gas, spark at the proper time or has low compression. These small motors aren't super difficult to repair.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Go get a spark tester and test for spark on both plug wires. Then once you have ruled out it has no spark, which is what it sounds like it's on to inspection. Does it have a stop switch? I can't see one in the diagram but if it does disconnect it and restest for spark. Check the wires going to and from the powerpack (black square unit on the back or side of the powerhead).

All of above seems fine.Just going to check compression today if I can get my hands on a tester which leads me to this question-What if compression is fine along with the rest(spark and fuel)? Are there any other possibiltys to prevent an outboard from starting up like anything inside the shaft and prop?
The prop does spin ok when I attempt to start there is no jamming or sticking when I pull the cord.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Higher is better, 50 is kindof low and may lead to hard starting, the most important part of compression tests are both cylinder being close in compression readings. Have you tried spraying 50:1 mix in the carb to try to get it to fire up? It's either not getting gas, spark at the proper time or has low compression. These small motors aren't super difficult to repair.

Thanks Bk!
Will definatly try spray som 50:1 mix in carb.Where should i spray it in at?In the choke hole?? I have read in other forum post about doing the spray fuel trick but didn't notice anyone saying exactly which hole to spray into.Also when I took the carb out i had to remove the pin that controls the "rich/lean ,slow speed/high speed dial".How far in should that pin be turned? I figured if i get her started up I can atleast set it as far as idle goes but need to get it started is my #1 priority right now.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Seat the needle gently and back it out 1 1/2 turns, that should give you a starting point. Spray 50:1 into the carb throat (choke open) then close the choke once you have sprayed the gas.

 

[Jamesondunk]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

I couldn't tell if I had a spark on either of my brand new plugs but I adjusted the low idle knob like one of you said to do and it started right up. I don't know if that was the problem or what but it helped thank you.