93 60HP Johnson wont start

[btroy]

Hi guys!

After several years of trouble free boating my motor will not start now. It is currently sitting in a slip so I can't pull it off the water without it starting. Was going to do a impeller change but that will have to wait now.

Boat was running good over the spring and I started noticing it was getting harder/longer to start.

Make: Johnson Tracker Pro Series 60HP
SN: G03296328
Year: 1993

It has the solenoid type choke assist. No type of throttle up level without putting it in gear.

Had oil injection but that was replaced with a regular fuel pump. running 50:1 mixture.

Verified the fuel system by pumping bulb, replaced the filter, pulled the fuel pump housing off and when pumping the bulb I get fuel.

The motor will crank really well just will not fire off. I cranked on it this morning then pulled and replaced the plugs. All 3 plugs had fuel on them so I think the fuel system is working correctly.

So this rules out the fuel/compression, only thing left is electrial.

Any help on things to check would really be appreciated.

 

[interalian]

If the control box doesn't have a fast idle lever, maybe there's a pin that disengages shift to let you increase throttle? Failing that, you could remove the throttle cable at the engine and raise the idle manually to start. I know there's no way my older motor would start without raising idle plus priming/choke.

 

[ondarvr]

Have you checked for spark?

 

[interalian]

Or the 'man overboard' lanyard?

 

[jakedaawg]

To give throttle assist you pull out on the base of throttle arm and twist forwards or you push in the black button and teist forward.

 

[btroy]

I checked the man overboard switch, it's still in places. As far as checking for spark I did not have anyone to assist with this.

1 weird thing is right after I replaced the plugs, after a little cranking it started then it died, wasn't running very long/well like it wasn't getting spark. It petered out within 10 seconds. I assume I can just pull each plug wire and check spark to the head. Will have to get some help this weekend. Will update after that spark test.
Thanks for the assistance.

 

[jakedaawg]

Hi guys!




Make: Johnson Tracker Pro Series 60HP
SN: G03296328
Year: 1993

It has the solenoid type choke assist. No type of throttle up level without putting in gear.

Read post 5. This is important for starting. You have it, guaranteed, right hand, true story.

 

[btroy]

Yep I got it now, that is weird, I guess I got lucky for the last few years and nerver had to use the choke...lol

Thanks guys really appreciate all of your assistance.....its got a good cleaning and new plugs.

 

[btroy]

Hi guys I'm back once again. The boat left me on the water and I am puzzled. After learning there was a choke I started using it but still had somewhat of a hard time starting. Anyway after I got it started this past weekend I went out and it died. When I attempt to start it will start then dies once again.

It only says started for a few second and then dies. Could this be indicative of a fuel pump failure? Reason I think this maybe an issue is because once it attempts and starts and dies I check the fuel bulb and it is no longer hard. I pump it up until firm and attempt the start again, same behavior.

Any thoughts? There is gas in the tank, I would think if it was electrical it would not start at all.

 

[racerone]

Are you advancing throttle during cranking ??----Are you pushing in the key while cranking ?----This motor may have a system called " quick start " and have you had this system checked by the local shop ?------It sure sounds like you need to review a manual on starting this motor.---Post a picture of the control box ?

 

[jakedaawg]

Did you ever figure out how to advance the throttle? How to make it "rev up" in neutral? Yes, or No? This is important.

 

[btroy]

Yes I use both the methods "push in key to prime" as well as "pull out shifter and advance to choke it". It was running well until it would not stay running now.
This motor has been modified and the oil injection has been removed and a regular fuel pump was installed.

I will order another fuel pump and replace it and see where I am at.

 

[btroy]

Used another fuel pump and still have the same issue. Tomorrow I will check the tank for debris on the pickup screen and replace the primer bulb and fuel lines. Trying to get it to run long enough to get it out of the water so I can clean the carbs.

 

[ondarvr]

Nothing you have said so far would indicate a fuel pump issue, and an easy test would squeeze the bulb before it dies, if it's the fuel pump it will stay running.

There is normally enough fuel in the carbs for the motor run for a minute or so even if there was no fuel pump, so for it to die in a few seconds leads to a different issue.

​Check for spark, clean the carbs and check the compression.

 

[Crosbyman]

Used another fuel pump and still have the same issue. Tomorrow I will check the tank for debris on the pickup screen and replace the primer bulb and fuel lines. Trying to get it to run long enough to get it out of the water so I can clean the carbs.

​did you .. or not clean the carbs by dismantling them in pieces and clearing all orifices with carb cleaner and blowing air in all passages to free them of any debris

​"get out on the water to clean the carbs" is not a solution to clean a cruddy carb...

 

[racerone]

I believe you need to read an owners manual / talk to a shop on how to start this motor.----Learn about things such as the electric primer.---Possibly " quick start " on this motor.----There are no choke flappers on this motor.-----Sorry, that is what I see here.

 

[oldboat1]

Might borrow a known good tank/lines/fuel to get it out of the water. Check your tank for water -- draw out a sample from the bottom, and let it settle in a glass jar. If present, a layer of water will be visible at the bottom.

 

[btroy]

​did you .. or not clean the carbs by dismantling them in pieces and clearing all orifices with carb cleaner and blowing air in all passages to free them of any debris

​"get out on the water to clean the carbs" is not a solution to clean a cruddy carb...

You misunderstood, it is in a slip and I was trying to get it to run so I can get it out of the water so I could clean the carbs.....

 

[btroy]

I was able to get it to start long enough to get it out of my slip and get it on the trailer, I replaced the bulb and fuel line. It started to run well then died, started squeezing the blub and it started running good at idel, when I attempted to get up to speed it would start to die, I started pushing on the fuel assist and made it to the ramp.

Anyway, got the carbs on the workbench and will clean them this weekend.

I will also check for water in the tank.

Thanks for suggestions.

 

[Crosbyman]

You misunderstood, it is in a slip and I was trying to get it to run so I can get it out of the water so I could clean the carbs.....

​see what the difference is between oF & oN... and bad eyesight :embarassed: