1989 Johnson GT VRO, dies if idled too long...HELP!!

[Austinite26]

I have an 89' Johnson GT VRO and here's the first problem. Cold starting is a very tough. But once you get it started, it runs like a champ. Until you drop the warm up lever, and then it will die. So I crank it and get it warm and it runs fine at higher speeds, but if I return it to an idle, it will idle for maybe a minute or so and then die. Am I running too rich at idle, or too lean? Maybe I have clogged jets? Does anyone have any suggestions that I could try before I take this in to a mechanic?

 

[Austinite26]

Re: 1989 Johnson GT VRO, dies if idled too long...HELP!!

I neglected to mention that it was a 150 hp engine...........oops. Somebody have any suggestions?

 

[jegervais]

Re: 1989 Johnson GT VRO, dies if idled too long...HELP!!

Before someone jumps in and blames the VRO pump, the first things you should check are compression and spark. <br /><br />Compression should variance should be no more than 15 psi between the lowest/highest reading cylinders. (A hi-quality compression gauge should show over 105 psi, a cheapie gauge may only show 85 psi.)<br /><br />Spark should be a nice "hot" blue and jump a 1/2" gap without being erratic. Check spark with a spark tester, all leads disconnected from the plugs and all spark plugs in the engine.<br /><br />When the engine is running, does it smoke excessively or use an excessive amount of oil? What is the top rpm it now runs?<br /><br />-John

 

[Austinite26]

Re: 1989 Johnson GT VRO, dies if idled too long...HELP!!

Doesn't smoke excessively, except at startup, but they all do that. I doesn't smoke under normal running. As per the RPM's, wide open probably 5200 - 5500. I can't remember exactly but I'll look this weekend when I take it out.

 

[almost retired again]

Re: 1989 Johnson GT VRO, dies if idled too long...HELP!!

After you have done what John has suggested,and everthing is ok at this point I think that I would pull the carbs take them apart and give them a thorough cleaning, paying careful attention to the low speed discharge holes behind the throttle plates. A good cleaning can't hurt any time.<br />lots of luck

 

[jegervais]

Re: 1989 Johnson GT VRO, dies if idled too long...HELP!!

Ya' know, a good dose of Engine Tuner would probably go a long way to helping you out. I'll bet the recirc system is partially plugged, that would account for smokey start up and would contribute to stalling at idle - Engine Tuner would help clear the recirc system too. When is the last time you de-carbonized it?? The other thing you want to make sure of is that the engine is running up to temp.<br /><br />-John<br /><br />BTW - There is a tsb out on this problem for this engine, has to do with carb gaskets swelling and block a fuel passage - email me for particulars: jegervais@yahoo.com