1996 johnson 200 wont idle

owenton1

Cadet
Joined
Sep 23, 2007
Messages
7
I recently bought a 1996 johnson 200 to replace my 1989 gt 200, took it to the lake idle fine would not take off stall and die, done some research found out he had 1986 carbs on it so i found a set of 1998 carbs and put on it, now it will not idle for more than 20 seconds or so and dies it takes off fine and top end is good turns 24 pitch raker 5800 rpms cant get it to idle without bumping choke tried adjusting needle valves marine dealer i bought carbs from said turn them out about 5 to 6 turns is a good starting point ive tried that and seems to be better the more i turn them out but still dosent fix my problem also before i put them on i tore them down cleaned with carb cleaner blew out all orfices with air adjusted float went through lync and sync procedure set timing iam lost any suggestions would be greatly appreciated also sitting in driveway on muffs will idle like a top soon as i go to lake put boat in water starts the same thing will not idle more than 20 to 30 seconds and dies.
 

jonesg

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Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: 1996 johnson 200 wont idle

it might be idling down too low on the hose, it should be around 1100rpm on the hose and around 700 in the water.
 

owenton1

Cadet
Joined
Sep 23, 2007
Messages
7
Re: 1996 johnson 200 wont idle

had it at 1100 on hose took it to lake droped off to about 850 for a few seconds then just died start up same thing unless i bump choke every now and then to keep it running.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1996 johnson 200 wont idle

have you check compression and spark? set your idle speed up some more to keep it running in the water. then fine tune it in the water. you may have clogged pickup in the carb bowl for the low speed jets. if the pick up is clogged it can not get to the top.
 

owenton1

Cadet
Joined
Sep 23, 2007
Messages
7
Re: 1996 johnson 200 wont idle

thanks will check out pickup tubes next also did compression test all cyl 85 to90 psi also spark checked out ok. just seems like it should be something simple it runs fine on top end just cant get it to idle.
 

jonesg

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Feb 22, 2008
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7,198
Re: 1996 johnson 200 wont idle

yeh its definately something simple in the carbs because you can keep it going by bumping the primer, says it all, but what...
are the idle jets the right size ?
 
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