1970 60 hp losing power (johnson)

bbuent

Recruit
Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
4
first boat i ever owned so im new to all this i got a 60hp outboard with an electric shift transmission took out on water for first time everything seem good till i ran out of gas ( stupidity took over) was able to get back and get gas now seems to idle decent but at times when i go to get into it it stalls and dies if im lucky and get into throttle real hard seems to take off like it should found gas can shavings in fuel filter housing but i have not tried running it yet again. im currently trying to find a manuel for it just curious if anybody had some ideas on what i need to be checking next cause i have no idea what im doing just learning thanks brian
 
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CaptOchs

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 3, 2007
Messages
230
Re: 1970 60 hp losing power (johnson)

first boat i ever owned so im new to all this i got a 60hp outboard with an electric shift transmission took out on water for first time everything seem good till i ran out of gas ( stupidity took over) was able to get back and get gas now seems to idle decent but at times when i go to get into it it stalls and dies if im lucky and get into throttle real hard seems to take off like it should found gas can shavings in fuel filter housing but i have not tried running it yet again. im currently trying to find a manuel for it just curious if anybody had some ideas on what i need to be checking next cause i have no idea what im doing just learning thanks brian

There are a lot of probabilities. Check the spark plugs and make sure they are in good condition. Try pumping the primer bulb before it dies out. If it surges back to life you'll likely find a fuel pump problem. Otherwise it sounds like you sucked up some gunk in at the bottom of the tank. Clean the carbs. Don't spray carb cleaner spray into a running engine; you could scorch a cylinder. If cleaning the carbs resolves the issue you'll want to invest in a better filter. I strongly suggest you buy a decent fuel filter/water separator. If you were running old gas, it's possible ethanol in the gas absorbed water/moisture. In that instance your engine might try burning this water/ethanol mix and you'll most certainly won't get good performance without a separator.
 

bbuent

Recruit
Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
4
Re: 1970 60 hp losing power (johnson)

Thanks for the reply i got back to boat today and was able to get throttle after clening fuel filter housing waiting on manuel so i can go through carbs and learn how to adjust slow speed mixes ill also try hauling fuel in instead of buying from marina noticed fuel tanks looked pretty rough on outside affraid what they are like on inside i appreciate your reply thanks brian
 

CaptOchs

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 3, 2007
Messages
230
Re: 1970 60 hp losing power (johnson)

Thanks for the reply i got back to boat today and was able to get throttle after clening fuel filter housing waiting on manuel so i can go through carbs and learn how to adjust slow speed mixes ill also try hauling fuel in instead of buying from marina noticed fuel tanks looked pretty rough on outside affraid what they are like on inside i appreciate your reply thanks brian

Brian,
Most gas now-a-days is mixed with 10% Ethanol. Since you're from the mid-west it's almost guaranteed to be in your gas. Ethanol acts as a detergent and will loosen up all the junk in older fuel tanks. That's why a decent fuel filter is more important now than ever.
 
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