'85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

[Tomo]

First of all what a resource this site is.<br /><br />My 1985 Johnson 40hp/jon boat combo sits in the water for most of the year. This summer heavy winds and rain swamped the boat and sunk it. I pulled it out the next morning, drained all the water from the carbs and motor, put the plugs back in and fired it up. I left it running for about 1/2 hour. <br /><br />Now for my issue. When I now try to start the motor it starts off really sluggish. The solenoid pops the starter kicks in but barely spins the flywheel. Eventually I can get the starter to spin the flywheel like normal and the motor will start. Why does it do this?<br /><br />Also I noticed when I tilted the motor up I saw water leaking from the seam where the lower unit bolts on. I've also noticed when I do start it I see oil in the water from the exhaust. Do I have a bad seal?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Tomo

 

[alcan]

Re: '85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

Hi Tomo<br /> Your starter motor may need to be dissembled and cleaned. After a swamping it may have had some water in the bearings. It would also be a good idea to remove and clean all wire grounds. These areas tend to corrode under the connection where you can not see. The only way to determine if you have a lower unit leak is to pull your boat and drain the gear oil. You should be able to tell right away if you have a problem.

 

[Tomo]

Re: '85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

Can a rookie like myself disassemble the starter motor and clean it? How is that done? <br /><br />I also pulled the boat out of the water and loosened the screw near the skag and milky looking fluid cam out. I have water getting in don't I? If that is the case how difficult is removing the lower unit to replace the seal?

 

[Tomo]

Re: '85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

Update: I pulled both plugs and the starter spins the flywheel just like it's supposed to. What's going on there?<br /><br />Tomo

 

[G DANE]

Re: '85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

Hi Tomo<br /><br />I know one who had exactly same thing happen 5 years ago. Disasemble and clean your starter - no problem you will be surprised how it looks at the and with brushes. Even better put in a new set of brushed. If you dont, you will probably have to buy a new one soon. Its no problem, just watch where everything sits when you take it apart.

 

[two2canoe]

Re: '85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

What's going on is that with the plugs out, there is no compression so the motor is much easier to turn. If the starter is dragging, or if it isn't getting the power needed, it can't turn the motor with the resistance of the compression. A quick check is to use a set of jumper cables from a good battery to the starter. Ground the negative cable to the starter bracket or one of the starter mounting bolts and touch the positive cable to the positive terminal on the starter (do not touch the jumper cable to the terminal threads because you can damage them with the spark, touch the flat of the nut or the bare part of the cable that is hooked to the terminal). If the starter is O.K., it should turn the motor properly with the plugs in or out. If it does, you know that you have a problem in the wiring. If it does not, it's in the starter. <br /><br />If you want to service the starter and re- seal the lower unit yourself, get a manual and read how to do it. You should get a feel for the difficulty and if you can do it.

 

[backdraft]

Re: '85 Johnson 40hp hard starting + milky oil

Tomo , the 40 horse does,t have a tight seal between the lower unit and the tower or leg as it is sometimes called and so water leaks out of that area. The water pump pushes the water through the engine and then it cools the exhaust coming down the leg. The oil you see might be unburned oil in your gas. Change the lower unit oil with 90 wt. [gl5] a couple of times thruout the season and look for the sign of a milky color.Your starter needs a rebuild. Install an automatic bilge pump so this cannot happen again. Hope this helps. nevjb