4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

[Truckster]

OK I don't usually sign up for forums but I found no help from browsing this site so here is what happened.First off it is 1978 4hp Johnson Seahorse Mod#4W78E
So I was out bass fishing a week ago and was heading back to dock and all the sudden motor started bogging out as if my tank was out of gas,seemed like it had plenty left in tank to get me back! I pumped the bulb till it got hard the motor started,got me maybe 50 more feet down the lake then quit again,repeated etc..same just kept stalling out.Few days later I filled up my fuel tank 50:1 mixture,plenty gas now,went back on the lake same problems so just headed home to have a better look.Spark plugs looked kinda old(little corrosion on outside) and were pretty black and wet looking so i got new ones,STILL WONT START!
Its my first gas powered motor I traded an older canoe for this last year and it worked perfect all last summer NO PROBS.Put it away for last winter and after sitting all winter it did start no problem also had it out a bunch since this fishing season and now she quit just wont start ggrrrrr.Could it be one of the pins that my gastank plugs into is clogged?Pump bulb wont stay hard either anymore.Could the carb be dirty?
Maybe its a quick fix I'm hoping if anyone has any idea what is going on with my motor I appreciate any help!!! I can still fish with my Minn Kota trol so long as my battery has full charge atleast for now as long as I dont stray too far from the dock on a windy day

 

[redart]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

I'm no expert but the fact that you were able to get it running temporarily by pumping the bulb suggests either the fuel pump stopped working, or the tank vent valve is blocked.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

I also forgot to mention that when I put it away for the winter I didn't do anything to the fuel(stabilizer) thinking it may have got gummed up???

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

I do know a little about 2 stroke engines since i use to race motoX bikes when i was younger but it's been a while and these carbs are super small compared to what I was use too cleaning,seems like its a tight squeeze to even get it out

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Is the vent valve one of the pins that my tank hose plugs into?

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Also-How do I unclog it?

 

[redart]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Is the vent valve one of the pins that my tank hose plugs into?

Unlikely. One of those pins is just to lock the hose in place, and the other is for fuel delivery. Vent valve could be part of the tank filler cap.

 

[redart]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

and yeah...could be gummed up if the fuel was sitting for several months. if you suspect a blockage then unclogging in my experience is a matter of finding where it's blocked and then dismantling and cleaning it.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Probably the fuel pump.

Could also be a leaking or bad hose or fuel connector.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Thanks for the suggestions man!! I appreciate it for sure.I'm going to have a better look at it in the morn.Will post what I find,if I even find anything.Probably just stare it again lol lets hope not.Thanks again man!

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

so it definatly seems like its loosing pressure in a fuel line some where.I put a new hose from gas can thinking there might be a crack or pin hole in the line but still the bulb just wont stay hard and carb seems to just flood when i pump the bulb.Im thinking its probably the fuel pump for sure now.Can ya but them already put together or do you always have to rebuild with a kit???

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

this is driving me nuts! What does the skrew on outside of fuel pump do? Seems like its for adjusting it or something but not sure if i should turn it or not.

 

[redart]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Have never bought a new fuel pump but I would imagine they come already built. Just took mine apart (off a Johnson 6hp Seahorse) and it's a pretty simple piece of kit. Put it back together without a rebuild kit and no problems.
If the bulb won't stay hard and you can't start the motor then could be the engine is flooding due to a stuck/defective float in the carburettor. This would fit with the wet looking spark plugs. Or perhaps the one-way valve inside the bulb is shot?.

 

[redart]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

this is driving me nuts! What does the skrew on outside of fuel pump do? Seems like its for adjusting it or something but not sure if i should turn it or not.

The screw just holds the filter cap assembly on. You can remove it and check the filter inside for debris. The rest of the pump will stay in place.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

thanks man!! but if it has debris how can ya clean it?? can ya use carb cleaner on that??? Right now i have the carb soaking in carb cleaner gonna leave it for the night.And spark plugs do have fire! I actually almost got it to start but almost is as close as i got.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

......forgot to mention that it was definatly flooding so fuel is going to carb.See what happens after a nights soak in carb cleaner then air dry tommoro and giv'r another go.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

In case anyone else has same motor here is a cool site with teardown parts diagram and catalog
http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=...-8a82-1dd5e75a8430&brands=ej&dealerlocator=no

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

carb cleaned,everything back together STILL NOTHING!! fuel seems to be pumping fine I dont think its fuel pump.I have noticed some blackish brown oil type stuff on the shaft and down by the prop.Could I have a bad piston or rigs possibly.I know on 2 stroke motocycles these can burn up alot but didnt think little outboards would have this problem.Like I said in my first post it did quit in middle of the lake,started up again and quit maybe 20-30ft later.Im clueless now.I just want to get this s.o.b going before I do my next bass tournament

 

[Rick.]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

Did you tear the carb. completely apart for soaking? It really sounds to me like you have a carb. issue. I would clean it with canned carb. cleaner and make certain to spray through every orifice in both directions and then blow it dry with lots of compressed air. A new kit should resolve any float needle sticking problems. You have mentioned flooding and that is usually the result of a bad float/needle/seat combination. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[Truckster]

Re: 4HP Johnson Seahorse quit, now wont start PLS HELP!

I've done all that to carb even let it sit submerged in carb cleaner over night in a clean container.Sprayed carb cleaner all through it then blew air through it. All fuel flow seems good now.Just refuses to start for me! I going to try compression test if i can tommoro.If compression is good,fuel is good and sparks all good then what else could keep it from ever starting again? Was working perfect and now its being mean to me