69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

[knucklecars]

rebuilt carb new everything, ran great first weekend out on the lake, the next weekend ran great at first then cut out to half power,turned out to be a shorted out wire at the coil rubbing against the flywheel...we got that fixed and then tried her out again, ran great for 15 minutes then flooded herself out and died, gas was pouring out while cranking it over...stripped carb down...checked everything, new float new needle valve..very clean...put it back together, worked great for 10 minutes then flooded out again, Has anyone ever had the clip that holds the needle valve to the float vibrate and kind of slip out of the hole it goes in and cause the needle not to close all the way...we have had this apart 5 times now and always ends up flooding out...Has anyone ever thrown this little clip away?....very frustrating...hate being towed in..thanks to anyone that can help

 

[knucklecars]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

Something else...I noticed the new float in the rebuild kit when mounted in position is not sitting center in the carb, and actualy rubbed against the carb in the center of the float, I had removed a little of the new cork material on this inside of the donut where it rubbed...Now we suspect that due to the float being "offcenter" that once the bottom of the carb is screwed back on the float could be rubbing on the outside edge against the carb base...anyone ever seen a float that did not look centered in the carb?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

When you mentioned "cork" a light went off. Your float might have sunk. Cork gaskets are affected by the newer gasolines. You need to get a carb kit with a new plastic float.

 

[lark2004]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

BING! the cork also would have had some sort of laquer on it. That is usually what doesn't last with today's fuel. Since you removed a bit material from the middle, you removed the coating, that will ruin the float as it is now soaking up the fuel and acting like a sinker!<br /><br />As boatbuoy has said, get a kit that comes with a plastic float, I think it is the one that the dealers sell (The factory replacement).

 

[knucklecars]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

I heard cork was bad, but this is brand new...I would have thought there was no way it could have sunk in a weeks worth of use?..I only removed the material the day it was still flooding out, it couldnt have possibly become gaslogged?...<br />HAve you ever seen an offcenter float?<br />we are going to try a newer plastic float, but I really think the binding is possibly the problem...

 

[knucklecars]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

If the float is binding on it's housing, then that will certainly cause flooding. The question is: Why is it binding? Where did you get this new float?<br /><br />The ones in the factory rebuild kit are plastic, and have been for some time. So, is this even the right float for your carb? I sort of doubt it, since it shouldn't bind at all.<br /><br />If you ask me, I'd advise you to trot down to the dealer again and buy a new kit for your carb and install the plastic float, then try this again.<br /><br />If the float's binding, you're not going to get this to work properly. That's the bottom line.

 

[knucklecars]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

Thanks CAT, The float (cork) was part of a rebuild kit we oreded for this motor from the local Johnson dealer...it looked identical to the old one (we are told there are some kits still in circulation with cork, while a new part number includes plastic)go figure my luck, I got cork....this new float worked finr for a total of 6-7 hours then started flooding...this binding was the only reason we could see...the float is definately off center in the carb...threw out the old one so I cannot compare...had the carb apart to many times to count, always works great on shore in a tank, then when we get to the lake and the boat gets up to full throttle and starts bouncing on the waves...it starts to flood like crazy...cant see any other reason...if the seat was bad it should flood immediately.....your thoughts?...we have ordered the new kit, but they cant tell us if the float is plastic again or cork....crazy huh?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

Well, what you say is consistent with a float that is binding. The up and down bouncing would be just the thing to bind the float in the open position, thus flooding your engine.<br /><br />I can see no solution other than to replace this apparently defective float. I suppose it could be installed improperly somehow, but the float must be centered and free to move throughout its range of travel.<br /><br />There's nothing for it but to pull that carb again. Check the installation of the float, but I'd just go get a new one. Insist on the part number that includes the plastic float.

 

[knucklecars]

Re: 69 Johnson 40hp, flooding out, again and again

Thanks we will install a new plastic one for sure, I will let you know how it all worked out...