Wont start in idle

[hookups08]

I have a 1960 Johnson 40 hp and I cannot get it to start in idle. It will start in forward gear with the throttle half way up. I have checked compression, gas/oil mixture, plugs, carburetor, fuel lines, etc. I am running out of ideas on this...ive thought about needles, and idle screw...any other ideas?

 

[basbalj288]

Re: Wont start in idle

Hey I just encountered a similar problem with my motor. I just put a '76 85hp Johnson on it and from taking it off another boat and putting it on mine, I messed up the throttle cable positions by unscrewing the plastic knob on the motor end of the throttle cables. When I went to crank it for the first time, I would turn the key and nothing would happen until I moved the control from neutral to forward. All I had to do was to make take the throttle cables off and properly tune it...there are some real helpful forums out there on how to get the throttles adjusted properly.
That's just an idea and worked for me
Matt

 

[hookups08]

Re: Wont start in idle

hmm...i appreciate the tip but looking at my manual I really dont think anything has gotten disrupted from its original state. I was told that the carb has a low speed channel and sometimes when cleaning, that channel is hard to get at. I was told to submerge it in a carb cleaning tank...any thoughts on that?

 

[basbalj288]

Re: Wont start in idle

Believe it or not I just did that, that being taking the carbs off, rebuilding, and soaked it in solution. That did seem to help my motor singnificantly in terms of starting and running. It only took about 2 hours of work for me to take off the carbs and put back together, after letting them soak overnight of course

 

[Daviet]

Re: Wont start in idle

You do have a low speed adjustment on your carb, it is the upper needle on your carb.
If you overhaul your carb be sure to remove the core plug on the top of the carb and clean the low speed passage, make sure it is clean.
Did someone remove the lockout that prevents it from starting in gear, if so be careful. You should think about putting the safty feature for starting back on.