2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

[AnglersMark]

I've had this engine for about two years and it's been difficult to start when cold. There was also a problem with idling - the engine would shut off. I had three boat shops work on it initially, but have been with the last for about a year and 1/2. The idling issue has been resolved by adjusting the carbs and spark while the boat is in the water. The mechanics at the shop seem to have no problem starting the engine when cold, but when I try to start it at home/water, It usually won't start.

At first I thought it was "flooding" or the spark plugs were getting oil/gas on them while the boat sat idle for a few days. If the engine wouldn't start I could remove the plugs, dry them off and it would sometimes start; sometimes it would not. The other day, knowing I had a trip lined up (I'm a charter cpt.), I checked the plugs before I tried to start it - they were dry. I hooked up my water, tried to start it and it turns over, but doesn't fire. I continued to try to start it, eventually had to re-charge my battery from my truck, and eventually got it to fire, and finally start. It runs great once it starts. The next morning, same problem, engine will not start. (Throw out bait, apologize to customer, give free trip gift certificate) I trailered the boat 40 miles to shop...and they start it in parking lot with just 1-2 turns of key. I asked them not to crank it for a few days, then try it. They called yesterday and said it started. I'm meeting them Monday AM to put it in the water and let me try it. My question: What could I be doing where the engine won't start for me, but does for them once I trailer it over to the shop? My morning routine is: Turn the batteries on, tilt the engine up, trailer the boat 15 minutes to bait shop, trailer the boat 5 minutes to ramp. Lower the engine, back it into water, pump the gas ball. Choke the key, and try to start it. (it always turns over strongly, but no fire) If it doesn't start, I pull it out and try drying the plugs. Sometimes it fires and starts, sometimes it doesn't it. When it doesn't, I trailer it 40 miles to the shop - they start it right off. What the heck?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 Cranking issue when cold

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 Cranking issue when cold

I may be a little confused, what do mean by crank?

Cranking is turning the key and having the motor turn over (spin, crank, turn over, etc) starting is something different, it doesn't need to start to be cranking.

So is it not cranking, or not starting?

 

[AnglersMark]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 Cranking issue when cold

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 Cranking issue when cold

Sorry. When I turn the key, it turns over but doesn't fire or start; i went in and edited the original post. Thanks.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

I'd say you have a bad start proceedure, you say you choke it, but not exactly how .

if it floods you don't need to pull the plugs, open the throttle in neutral.
I had a mechanic show me exactly how to start mine and how to advance the throttle whilst keeping it in neutral.
if you're not familiar with outboards they can be perculiar.

Instead of letting the mechanic start it, ask him to watch YOU try.
Then he can give you pointers.

also read the sticky FAQ on starting an outboard, it works.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

Although commonly refered to as a choke, these engines have a primer, it bypasses the carb and dumps fuel directly into the intake, so anytime you push in the key, fuel will pour into the motor.

When cold pump up the bulb, push the key in for the count of 5 to 8 and then try to start it while keeping it pushed in, it should fire quickly. If it starts to die, then push the key in again a few times until it stays running.

When warm they normally don't need any priming, just turn the key and it should start right up.

Some engines like to have the throttle advanced slightly and some don't, the three I use most of the time start better when you leave the throttle at an idle, but this is something you may need to play with.

 

[AnglersMark]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

Although commonly refered to as a choke, these engines have a primer, it bypasses the carb and dumps fuel directly into the intake, so anytime you push in the key, fuel will pour into the motor.

So fuel dumps directly into the intake. IF the engine is getting "spark" it should fire and start? What about air? Reading in the "Cold Start FAQ" I see where I need to check to make sure the gas tank is vented properly. I know if I over fill the tank, gas comes out of a "vent" on the side of the boat. When the engine doesn't start I've tried loosening the gas cap on the boat, doesn't seem to matter whether it's tight or loose.

I don't hold the choke in for 5-8 seconds before attempting to crank and start the engine. I've been just pushing it in and cranking. If it every fires I usually can get it started by pushing the choke. I would think that even when it doesn't fire after repeated attempts at choking/cranking that eventually it would fire, but sometimes it doesn't. Thanks for any input.

 

[AnglersMark]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

OK, got the boat/engine back from the shop last Monday; they found nothing wrong with it starting (again). I started it no problem with rabbit ears in the driveway Monday PM, Tuesday PM. On Wednesday I trailered it to a boat ramp (engine up), lowered the engine, pumped the gas ball, and had a time getting the engine to fire. Raised the engine up, let sit for a few minutes, lowered it and it fired once or twice, but did not start. Raised the engine up, let sit for few minutes, lowered it and it fired, fired, fired, choked, fired, etc. finally got it to start

Friday I had a trip with guests. Trailered boat to designated ramp, lowered the engine, pumped the ball, DID NOT CHOKE, cranked, cranked, cranked. Raised the engine for a few minutes, lowered it, cranked, fired and started! Whoohee, gone fishing.

Saturday I had a trip with guests. Trailered boat to designated ramp, lowered the engine, pumped ball, DID NOT CHOKE, cranked, cranked, cranked. Raised engine for a few minutes, lowered it, cranked, cranked, cranked. Choked, cranked, cranked. Raised engine for a few minutes, lowered it, cranked, cranked, cranked. TOOK BOAT OUT OF WATER. Customers due any minute. Removed plugs, dried them off. Cranked, Cranked, Cranked. Raised engine for a few minutes. Time running out.
Lowered engine, cranked. Poot. Poot. Choke. Poot. Poot. Poot. Poot. Poot. Choke. Fired. Started. Drop boat in water. Run to Marina to pick up customer. Whoohee, gone fishing. HELP! It appears engine is "flooded" right off the bat, whether I Choke or Don't Choke. Raising the engine way up seems to help. Saturday was a bummmer - I have to get to the ramp 45 minutes earlier in order to have time to get the engine started before my customers arrive. Ouch.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

Have you tried doing the count to 5 with the key pushed in yet?

Not firing and just cranking a bunch of times and then pushing the key and having it start doesn't sound like flooding issue.

Starting on the hose is normally much easier, there's no back pressure from the water on the exhaust.

Try tilting the engine up slightly (but still in the water) and see if it fires and starts easier.

 

[AnglersMark]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

Tried the count to 5 - didn't work:

I had a "trip" Sunday AM, engine never fired. Took cowling off, dried plugs. Engine never fired. Saw a plum of smoke come up from the port side of the engine. Called customer, apologized. I thought the cranking sounded sluggish so I stopped at Walmart, had battery checked -OK, but traded it in anyway for a new one (it was 14mo's old).

Dropped it off at Repair Shop - they dug right into it: Starter bad.
First key turn: fired. Choke, Started. Hooray.

My gut feeling is that the starter was going bad. When I tried to crank the engine, it would eventually flood. Sometimes the starter turned the engine over enough to start it. Sometimes it wouldn't.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 2003 Johnson 150 starting issue when cold

Good to see you got it working, happy customers now and more money in your pocket.