2001 Johnson 25 hp starting problems

[csabot]

Hi - I have a 2001 Johnson 25 hp pull start that has had chronic problems starting. The motor has fairly light use - maybe 3 weeks a year. It belonged to my family and as far as I know, no real maintenance has ever been done.
The motor starts great after taking it out of storage - usually one or two pulls with fresh gas. But then it gets super finicky. I follow the starting protocol in the manual. The motor has a primer but no manual choke. I prime twice if cold and then start. If it goes on one or two pulls I am good. But if it doesn’t catch it floods and I end up yanking 50 times to get it started. When it finally goes it blows a bunch of oily crud out the exhaust.
I have cleaned it and put in new plugs, properly gapped, which helped with performance while running, but not with the starting issue. Any hep would be greatly appreciated!

 

[racerone]

2 or 3 cylinder ?----Model #.

 

[csabot]

2 cylinder
J25RSID

thanks!

2 or 3 cylinder ?----Model #

 

[racerone]

In neutral turn tiller to the neutral stop.----Ignore START mark on handle.-----Pump carburetor full with manual fuel pump on the hose.-----Operate primer pump full out and full in 3 times.----This pump pull fuel from carburetor bowl and sprays it into the motor , bypassing the carburetor.-----Should start up in a couple of pulls.-----Try 4 pumps if 3 does not work.-----If it still has the original water pump impeller I strongly suggest installing a new factory one.----Needs a new one every 5 years !

 

[oldboat1]

I always think spark, fuel, carb first for starting issues, If I don't know whether fuel was run out before storage, I expect a carb cleaning/rebuild.

++1 on impeller replacement.