johnson won't go

[suzukidave]

Hi, I have this 1988 6hp johnson that's making me crazy. Earlier this year I thought I had the problem licked but I found out I didn't when I just went for my 2 week vacation. I now have the whole winter to figure it out, and I have not put many hours on it this summer (no trolling for me but not many salmon anyway).<br /><br />Basicly it's flooding. The symptoms are:<br />1. It won't idle at very lowest revs -- it stalls (idle is adjusted)<br />2. It stalls out frequently during operation, especially as you throttle down after w-o-t. Often the rpms just drop off and you can't get them back before it stalls. Often it won't restart.<br />3. It sometimes just won't start cold.<br />3. The plugs are soaking wet with gas when I check them after a stall / non-start problem. If I clean them it will start instantly but then the cycle repeats.<br /><br />Here's the history:<br />it used to run fine. Earlier this summer it suddenly wouldn't start (we thought because of bad gas)<br />1. I rebuilt the carb then took it to a dealer because it syill wouldn't start. He diagnosed and fixed a faulty kill switch and had it running great in a test tank (in and out of gear and easy to start)but... I had to replace the bottom bowl on the carb because I had cracked it on the rebuild.<br />2. After I replaced the bowl I went far away from a dealer for my vacation when the symptoms above became clear as soon as I put it on the slatchuck instead of in a garbage can...<br />3. I switched the whole external fuel line, tanks and gas with ones which worked fine on another motor. No help<br />4. I checked all the internal fuel line connections<br />5. I cussed.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure I must have screwed up with the carb rebuild but given that it ran great in the dealer after the first rebuild I don't know how I screwed it up by just replacing the bowl (the gasket that seats in the bowl is there). I suppose I should just take it back to the dealer but I figure I've got months to figure this out and it bothers me that I can't suss out why it's doing this. Should I buy another carb kit?<br /><br />Any thoughts other than that I should retire as an outboard mechanic would be gratefully appreciated.<br />Suzuki Joe in Beautiful British Columbia

 

[corm]

Re: johnson won't go

Hi Suzukijoe,<br />Retire, your just getting a good start.<br />What is this,local slang I can't suss out why.<br />I'll look at the pitcure book tomorrow and see if I know anything.<br />...have fun...corm

 

[Bruce]

Re: johnson won't go

Hey, lots of guys use Viagra for a johnson that won't go.....

 

[desertmariner]

Re: johnson won't go

change the plug. I had a similar problem on an outboard3.3mariner. I didn't believe it . I checked for spark and all was just peachy. pulled the rest of my hair out. Some old rummy at the marina told me to change what appeared to be a healthy sparking plug. I reluctently did so. and it made alll the difference in the world. Fires right up and stays lit. Good luck

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: johnson won't go

Recheck Carb. rebuild. sounds like a Float and/or float needle problem. Did you set the float level when you rebuilt it? New needle? Is float right side up?(Cup on float in toward the Carb body) Do you have good spark?

 

[DJ]

Re: johnson won't go

suzukijoe,<br /><br />I agree with Rick. You have a float and/or needle and seat problems.<br /><br />If you did not replace the float-do so. Might as well do the needle and seat again too, and follow Rick's instructions for float adjustment.

 

[Bear]

Re: johnson won't go

posted August 29, 2000 09:07 PM !!<br /> <br />Edit: that was two years ago.

 

[Remkid]

Re: johnson won't go

I have the same exact motor as you and it had some of the same problems as you have. I just recently got it running and now it runs just fine. After many nights of working on it and only getting a bad time, I rebuilt the carb. and replaced the plugs. After this all I had to do was adjust the carb and she ran fine. Believe me, I feel your pain! lol I dont know if this was much help, but i hope it helps!