1988 Johnson 120 flooding?

[jayjensen]

Greetings. My motor runs well, then I shut it off a bit, say, to fish, then try to restart it. It cranks over just fine but will not fire. I am careful not to crank too many times so as to flood it. I quickly learned that, if I then pull the plugs (which are wet) and dry them off, and crank the motor over a few times to blow out any fuel through the plug holes, then reinstall the plugs, it will fire immediately. It seems like something is pushing too much fuel into the cylinders. Can fuel get past the carbs, like through a stuck float? I assume what I have is a flooding problem. Thanks for your help!

Gas is new. Primer bulb is new. Carbs have not been rebuilt forever. Fuel pump is older. Motor has maybe 500 hours on it. Smokes alot but runs great (when it starts). I only use the choke on a cold startup.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Johnson 120 flooding?

You may have a problem with your QuikStart ignition. When the ignition is first turned on the power pack causes the timing to advance until the engine reaches 96? F. or 1100 RPM at which point it returns to normal.

It advances for 5 seconds regardless when first engaged, so it is important to turn directly to start when the engine is already warm.


The power pack gets signals from the sensors in the cylinder heads via the black and white wire - make sure that the sensor wires are not too close to the spark plug wires.


If you have a service manual for your motor, the functional test for QuikStart is shown on page 3-25. You need a timing light and a functioning tachometer.​

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 1988 Johnson 120 flooding?

^^^

 

[jayjensen]

Re: 1988 Johnson 120 flooding?

Thanks. I think I still have a timing light from the old car days. I guess I can use the tach that is on the boat. I should learn what all those wires under the cowl are for. Several have bullet connectors. I should make sure all are clean. I do have a factory manual.

It does not seem like the primer bulb hardens up (sorry) like it used to, after a few squeezes but before startup. Could a stuck float or something else allow extra gas to be pushed into the cylinders even after the motor stops?

 

[jayjensen]

Re: 1988 Johnson 120 flooding?

Cricket too....I dont understand your reply. Regards....Jay

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1988 Johnson 120 flooding?

A primer bulb does not stay firm, nor is it supposed to, after the engine starts. Remember, fuel is being drawn through it, not forced through. Yes -- a float that's stuck or an inlet needle and seat that is not sealing properly will allow excess fuel into the engine. You might also check the position of the little red knob on the primer solenoid. If it points perpendicular to the solenoid rather than parallel with it, it's set to the MANUAL position and will let gobs of fuel into the engine.