1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

[Axilleus]

Hello everyone

I was reading this forum for several days and decided to post here since I was impressed with all the responses and knowledge present. I am a rookie to boating and boat engines, however I do have some experience with car engines so I am not totally lost (at least I would think so .

The problem I?m having is with a 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO outboard. The boat is an 87 Glastron Conroy Z-17.
The engine doesn?t start as expected. Actually it doesn?t start at all unless I play with the manual valve (see picture).

I open the valve all the way to 9 o?clock counterclockwise and close it back to the initial position (maybe I do this 2-3 times) and the engine starts. I can also open the valve to lets say 1 o?clock and the engine would start, then I close the valve. If I run the engine for some time and try to start it, it starts right away, but if I turn the engine off for an hour or so, I have to use the valve again to start the engine.

What I?ve done so far is replaced the battery and replaced the spark plugs.

Any ideas what else I need to check or what would the next steps be?

Thanks,
Mick

 

[runnindrunk]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

Hello everyone

I was reading this forum for several days and decided to post here since I was impressed with all the responses and knowledge present. I am a rookie to boating and boat engines, however I do have some experience with car engines so I am not totally lost (at least I would think so .

The problem I?m having is with a 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO outboard. The boat is an 87 Glastron Conroy Z-17.
The engine doesn?t start as expected. Actually it doesn?t start at all unless I play with the manual valve (see picture).

I open the valve all the way to 9 o?clock counterclockwise and close it back to the initial position (maybe I do this 2-3 times) and the engine starts. I can also open the valve to lets say 1 o?clock and the engine would start, then I close the valve. If I run the engine for some time and try to start it, it starts right away, but if I turn the engine off for an hour or so, I have to use the valve again to start the engine.

What I?ve done so far is replaced the battery and replaced the spark plugs.

Any ideas what else I need to check or what would the next steps be?

Thanks,
Mick

I'm having the same problem on a 2000, J150VXSSS Mick, replacing the spark plugs didn't help. I can open the valve once and it starts right up after sitting overnight.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

that gizmo is a choke solenoid...

there is a sequence to start these..

turn key to on position...and push in and hold for 3-8 seconds..then turn key all the way for ignition... if it doesnt start...try again..

what that gizom does is it primes the chambers to cold start...so after you prime the bulb hard, and turn the key to on and push..it squrits gas in ..you then turn to start and she should go...


PS...keep the red handle in its original position (staight up and down) not 9 oclock... the red handle should be moved only if you are pull starting witha rope..which by the way you can do ina jamb..

 

[Axilleus]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

that gizmo is a choke solenoid...

there is a sequence to start these..

turn key to on position...and push in and hold for 3-8 seconds..then turn key all the way for ignition... if it doesnt start...try again..

what that gizom does is it primes the chambers to cold start...so after you prime the bulb hard, and turn the key to on and push..it squrits gas in ..you then turn to start and she should go...


PS...keep the red handle in its original position (staight up and down) not 9 oclock... the red handle should be moved only if you are pull starting witha rope..which by the way you can do ina jamb..

Thanks, I will try to start it this way and let you know how it went.
And the red handle is in its original position on the picture I posted - it points to 3 o'clock when looking from the boat.

 

[runnindrunk]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

that gizmo is a choke solenoid...

there is a sequence to start these..

turn key to on position...and push in and hold for 3-8 seconds..then turn key all the way for ignition... if it doesnt start...try again..

what that gizom does is it primes the chambers to cold start...so after you prime the bulb hard, and turn the key to on and push..it squrits gas in ..you then turn to start and she should go...


PS...keep the red handle in its original position (staight up and down) not 9 oclock... the red handle should be moved only if you are pull starting witha rope..which by the way you can do ina jamb..

Thanks Rscardina. I havn't taken my boat out in 4 years, push the switch in, it appears I've forgotten a lot of simple things.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

Thanks Rscardina. I havn't taken my boat out in 4 years, push the switch in, it appears I've forgotten a lot of simple things.

I can't remember yesterday, let alone 4 years ago!!

Give it a shot, I think it will all come back to you...

 

[Rscardina]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

Thanks, I will try to start it this way and let you know how it went.
And the red handle is in its original position on the picture I posted - it points to 3 o'clock when looking from the boat.

Yes you are correct, the arm should follow the same line as the solenoid...so the picture shows it in its correct position.

FYI- On top of your air silencer there is a pull start instruction..it actually shows you the direction to put it in should you ever requires such a thing..

I actually went and picked up a rope for emergency purposes

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

When youu push in the ignition key make sure that you hold it in for - say five =/- seconds. Time is needed for the solinoid to do it's job.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

That cold-start primer solenoid injects extra fuel into the top of both carbs when the key is on and pushed in. You can test by pulling that small fuel primer hose off the top carb hose barb, then activate the primer solenoid. If you get fuel pulsing out of it, the primer solenoid is working. The red lever needs to be parallel to the length of the primer solenoid for normal operation.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

Check this link out.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225510

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

When youu push in the ignition key make sure that you hold it in for - say five =/- seconds. Time is needed for the solinoid to do it's job.

I have the same motor-
Do the above with the cold start/high idle lever about 1/2 way up
GREAT motor!

 

[Axilleus]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

That cold-start primer solenoid injects extra fuel into the top of both carbs when the key is on and pushed in. You can test by pulling that small fuel primer hose off the top carb hose barb, then activate the primer solenoid. If you get fuel pulsing out of it, the primer solenoid is working. The red lever needs to be parallel to the length of the primer solenoid for normal operation.

I was finally able to get to my boat this weekend and try all the suggestions and I found out that the primer solenoid is not working as it should. I removed the small fuel primer hose at the carburetor end, turned the key and pushed it in but no fuel came out of the hose.
Now my question is - how can I make sure that it is actually the primer solenoid that is not working? Is it maybe the ignition - maybe the primer solenoid is not receiving the command from the ignition when I push in the key? Is there a way to test this?
Second question is - if the primer solenoid is bad, where can I find the new part (since the old part number 397909 was superseded by a new part number some time ago)?

Thank you all in advance.
Cheers
Mick

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

The primer solenoid is just a valve that opens and shuts when you push the key in - it is not a pump and does not provide fuel pressure on its own.

You must either squeeze the primer bulb or use the primer solenoid with the fuel pump while cranking the engine in order to pressurize the fuel for the primer solenoid.

 

[Axilleus]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

The primer solenoid is just a valve that opens and shuts when you push the key in - it is not a pump and does not provide fuel pressure on its own.

You must either squeeze the primer bulb or use the primer solenoid with the fuel pump while cranking the engine in order to pressurize the fuel for the primer solenoid.

This is what I did:
1. I squeezed the primer bulb
2. I move the idle lever about 1/2 way up
3. Turned the ignition key and pushed it in
4. Waited for 5-8 seconds > no fuel was coming out of the hose but apparently there should be some fuel coming out once the key is pushed in
5. I crank the engine and it doesn't start

I can do that all day long but the engine won't start.
As soon as I open the red valve (as seen in the first picture), the engine starts. Also when I open that valve I see fuel coming out from the small fuel primer hose.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

Check the black ground wire on the primer solenoid and check for 12 volts positive on the purple and white wire when the key is pushed in.

 

[grady19tourn]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

I have been following this thread and had a similiar problem with my primer solenoid. When you push the key in you should hear a small click. That is the solenoid clicking. Just to be clear as to what the others are telling you:
The key must be pushed in AND the engine cranking in order for the fuel to be pumped.

 

[Axilleus]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am going to check the voltage on the primer solenoid and also test the fuel flow when cranking the engine.

I was under the impression that there should be some fuel coming out from the small fuel hose that goes to the carb once the ignition key is pressed in.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

...I was under the impression that there should be some fuel coming out from the small fuel hose that goes to the carb once the ignition key is pressed in.

That is correct, provided you have pressurized the fuel before opening the valve by either squeezing the primer bulb or cranking the engine.

The fuel then bypasses the carburetor and is injected directly into the intake manifold to enrich the fuel/air mix.

 

[Axilleus]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

I just want to thank you all for your help.
I replaced the starter (since it died on me last Sunday) and checked all connections, also checked the voltage on the purple wire on the primer solenoid. Turns out my ignition switch was losing contact and that is why the primer solenoid didn't activate.
Once I got the ignition switch problem sorted out, the engine started like a charm.

Cheers,
Mick

 

[barry1022]

Re: 1987 Johnson 110hp VRO hard to start

That is correct, provided you have pressurized the fuel before opening the valve by either squeezing the primer bulb or cranking the engine.

The fuel then bypasses the carburetor and is injected directly into the intake manifold to enrich the fuel/air mix.

Ezeke, if I pull the priming hose off the intake manifold, I can't even blow air into a fitting. I am having a similar problem but I AM getting fuel to the manifold but it stops there.