What is "Lean Sneeze"?

[DH Zunic]

Running a '91 Johnson 200GT and noticed a condition called "lean Sneeze". It doesn't happen often. What would cause this? Is it a condition that gets worse with time or a load like water skiing?

 

[kennedyt]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

Most noticeable when the engine is running at idle. Engine will "sneeze" periodically. Over time, the "sneeze" periodicity will increase and if you let it continue, your engine will start to sneeze/shutdown. <br /><br />This is a sure sign you are running lean.<br /><br />I resolved the problem on my 225's by rebuilding the carbs. <br /><br />Best cold remedy.

 

[DH Zunic]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

Thanks for the info. Interesting about running lean, I noticed a bit of blue smoke at idle, indicating to me that I might be running ritch?

 

[GatorMike]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

I'm not a mechanic but I think the cough or sneeze you speak of could be caused by the timing advance being off. If so running it that way for a long time could lead to problems. Like I said I'm not a mechanic so don't take my word as gosphel.

 

[Walker]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

DZ, at what speed does it sneeze?? At idle or when under throttle?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

As Hydra Sprt 25 suggests your idle mixture is probably too lean. If the engine only does this when it is cold choke it a few times. If it does it when it is warmed up adjust the idle mixture to a richer setting or if that does't work, rebuild the carbs.<br /><br />Causes of lean condition.<br />Not enough fuel or too much air.

 

[DH Zunic]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

It will sneeze at idle, more so when it is cold. I have only ran this motor a couple of times, so I will analyze it a bit more. Jimd, this engine does not have a choke, it's an electric priem (so I'm told), do you mean to prime it a little?

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

Hey DzBimmer: I had a fairly rough lean sneeze in my Johnson 175. Motor has oil injection disconnected and fuel/oil pump modified accordingly (parts plugged, wires disconnected, etc.)<br /><br />Advice I got all had to do with lean conditions, mostly people advised I clean the carbs. I asked the mechanic to clean the carbs but he decided to check some other things out before - and found a fault with the VRO/fuel pump. There was a plug, evidently used to plug an intake orifice something when the oil injection was disconnected, that was loose and/or damaged. It was causing air leakage into the system. He replaced it and I haven't had sneeze one since then. I've also noticed a lot less "drooling" of black oily residue down the leg. It generally idles much better now.<br /><br />So, you might do a close visual inspection of the carb and all the connections and plugs before tearing into the carbs. This plug was pretty obvious had I done a very close look-see myself (but I'm a terrible mechanic so I hadn't even tried).<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

that sneeze is actually a backfire. however it cannot get past the reeds. it can however cause robearing failures and fuel pump failures. it is an actual explosion of a lean mix in the crankcase but is contained by the reeds. I have seen it so severe as to shear the flywheel key due to the explosion being on the wrong side of the piston. your motor is telling you its sick. call a dr or you may have to call a coroner.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[jim dozier]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

From your further description you have confirmed it is from a lean condition. Either (as D. suggests) you have an air leak or I believe more likely you need carb work. As Rodbolt says its sick and either you or a mechanic needs to richen the idle mixture. Possibly by idle mixture screw (I don't know if that engine has one or not) or a carb cleaning. The primer will help when its cold but if its doing it when warmed up it needs to be fixed (sooner rather than later).

 

[kennedyt]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

Your engine year is 1991. If you haven't rebuilt your carbs...it is time to do it. Your engine will run better. Before you do all this, do the simple stuff like change the fuel filter. Decarb the engine with engine tuner may help with your blue smoke problem. Change and gap the spark plugs. Buy/Borrow an inexpensive spark check light and see if you are geting spark to all cylinders. <br /><br />Pull your Carb cover and check all the small fuel lines and "t" fittings that connect to all the carbs. If suspect, replace. Make sure you draw a picture and lable all hoses so you get them reconnected properly. <br /> <br />With the cover off, start the engine and see if any of the carbs spit fuel back out. If so, you have a (air related) gasket or reed problem. <br /><br />While unrelated to this problem, I would take a look at your engine wiring harness and inspect all wires and connectors. They will start failing and cause ignition problems.<br /><br />When you have the engine running at idle, press in the starter button and activate the electronic choke. The engine idle RPM should reduce RPM. This tells you your electronic choke is working.<br /><br />Get a good service manual and save yourself a lot of money in repair costs.<br /><br />Outboards are lawn mowers on steriods.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

Those side plates on the carbs sometimes leak and air gets sucked in there. That'll drive ya nuts chasing that one.<br /><br />BTW -- when you have the airbox cover off for the inspection, dont run it at speed under a load. It'll run way lean.

 

[DH Zunic]

Re: What is "Lean Sneeze"?

Thanks guys for all the replies. I do know that I have spark now cause I just replaced the stator and ignition or trigger assembly. I just ran the boat this past weekend and at speed it runs like a champ. I will definately be planning on having the carbs properly cleaned, or rebuilt.