1979 35 hp Johnson problems

[PSkiffy]

Hi,
I just got a boat with a 1979 35 hp outboard. she ran pretty good the first few times I had her out. The last time, and since then I've had a problem. The engine starts, but when I put it in gear and give it some gas, it starts to rev then dies. Then it's a bit of a pain to start. I can get it started again, and it'll run at idle (in neutral and in gear) but then dies after I give it some gas. And when it is running at idle it's running pretty rough. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Pat

P.S. I don't know that much about outboards, so be gentle . I can take direction and learn though...I hope.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

Check your needle valve in your carb. Sounds like it is stuck.

 

[PSkiffy]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

Thanks fireman!
Anythings special I need in order to do this, or any particular procedure I need to follow? Again, I don't have much experience with outboards.

Thanks again!

Pat

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

Just take the carb off and there are four bolts with slotted heads on the bottom. Remove them and your float hangs down. there is a needle valve at the end of it that should drop down when the bowl is low on fluid and raise back up when the bowl is full. Sounds like it is stuck in the up position.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

If the needle valve is not stuck then you probably have a weak coil. Check for spark when this happens. It must be a nice brigth blue. If not change your coil. It is the thing that your spark plug wire goes into. Only two bolts.

 

[PSkiffy]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

Thanks again. So do I have to take the carb itself off, or do you mean the air silencer so I can get to the carb? It's an electric start, so I need to re (move) the starter as well.

Thanks,
Pat

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

You have to remove the air silencer, you might be able to remove carb without taking the starter off. The carb has to come out to check the float.

 

[rico suave]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

I would start simple and take silencer off, remove needle valve, and give the oriface a blast of compressed air. You might have a residual fuel snot stuck in there.

 

[PSkiffy]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

OK, I feel a little silly - and fortunate. I took the silencer off and sticking out of the carb was a sizable (1 x 1.5 inches) piece of foam! The guy I got the boat from had put some foam/insulation type stuff under the cowling as part of his winterization (I guess) and some of it must have stayed in there, got chewed up by the flywheel and eventually got sucked into the carb. Took out the foam, gave it a shot with some carb cleaner, put silencer back on, and she's running good again.

Boats are fun aren't they!!

Thanks guys!

Pat

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1979 35 hp Johnson problems

Make sure there is no other loose foam or you will have this problem again.