'68 Johnson 40hp no start/fuel related

[Billy Bob]

This motor is RKL-30 '68 40 horse. Will start with (gasp!!) starting fluid. Will not happen again. Belongs to brother. Our father suggested the ether. Fuel gets to the carb when you squeeze the bulb. Not sure if it is getting any farther.<br /><br />Does this motor have points, condensor, etc? Does it have a fuel pump? I have heard of a shifting shaft on other motors, would this have one too? It is the Electramatic 40. The wire(s) extending down into lower unit, would these be for the electric shift? How can we test the shifting if it is not starting?<br /><br />Where would some of these items be found? Most specifically the fuel pump? Can this pump be rebuilt? Carb? Should either be tackled rather than buying new/factory rebuilt?<br /><br />Will do the carb cleaner trick. Maybe that will all that is needed as the motor sat for quite some time. If that does not work, do you have a "to do" next scheme? How are reed valves checked? What symptoms would one have if they are in need of replacing?<br /><br />thanks a bunch<br />Billy Bob

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: '68 Johnson 40hp no start/fuel related

Billy Bob... Follow the fuel line from where the fuel connector hooks up to the engine to the carburetor. That hose will first go to the fuel pump, then to the carburetor.<br /><br />The engine does have points and condensers, and coils (under the flywheel). Note, if the flywheel is removed, when re-installing, it absolutely must be torqued to 105 foot pounds!<br /><br />To test the shift. The two wires (green and blue) that lead to the lower unit. apply 12 volts to one wire, then the other. The prop should slip in one direction, but grab solid in the other direction depending on which wire you've engaged.<br /><br />The carburetor is fouled/gummed/clogged due to sitting and needs removing, cleaning, and rebuilding.

 

[Billy Bob]

Re: '68 Johnson 40hp no start/fuel related

Hi Cap'n Joe<br /><br />Sounds like you are right. So far, I don't think there will be a need to get to the points, etc. But will have to get on the carb and pump situation.<br /><br />That wire was a mystery. Thanks for enlightenment. Now, if the shaft going to the lower unit turn in only one direction (I installed a new impeller), then the impeller might need to be reinstalled so the vanes are turned in the right direction??? How do you determine the correct direction?<br /><br />Here is an idea, (might be better ones available) but my brother suggested we tie a string around the vanes to bend them. Them installation went fairly easy. Is there a better way? Perhaps a way that one person can do this alone if needed?<br /><br />thank you<br />Billy Bob

 

[fireman 757]

Re: '68 Johnson 40hp no start/fuel related

DO NOT USE STARTING FLUID!! It has no oil in it and you will burn up your cylinders. Sounds like you need to rebuild carb. It gets there but is not getting through for some reason. With the starting fluid you probably are getting just enough vapors in there to start it. Try using some premix and squirt it in there and see if it runs and then repost.<br />If the impeller is installed backwards then you need to remove it and reinstall.

 

[Billy Bob]

Re: '68 Johnson 40hp no start/fuel related

Posted by Fireman: DO NOT USE STARTING FLUID!! It has no oil in it and you will burn up your cylinders. Sounds like you need to rebuild carb. Try using some premix and squirt it in there and see if it runs and then repost. <br /><br />I have found this out too late. Not necessarily too late for the motor but too late to avoid having done this. This is the reason for the gasping and saying, will not do this again. Thank you for the added advice about what TO DO if faced with this situation again.<br /><br />Posted by Fireman: If the impeller is installed backwards then you need to remove it and reinstall. <br /><br />The impeller is rubber on this motor and the vanes were straight when recently purchaced. Brother was told the water pump needed replacing before starting. (He took a chance. Hopefully the carb prob will resolve nicely.) The vanes needed to be bent for installation. How can one tell which direction the vanes need to go?<br /><br />thanks<br />Billy Bob