'71 50hp johnson.

[Drowned Rat]

Hi guys. I've got a 1971 50hp 2 cylinder hydro-electric drive Johnson. I had an issue with it the other day and I was hoping someone could tell me what was going on. I had it on muffs in the driveway trying to start. Primed the bulb, applied choke and cranked and cranked and cranked. It would not even sputter. Having tried everything else, I tilted the motor up and turned the key and it fired up instantly. Shut it off, lowered the motor back down and it started back up just fine. I had a similar situation at the lake last week. What's going on? Am I flooding the motor? Does tilting the motor up clear the carbs of fuel somehow? Just wondering if I'm overlooking something. Thanks for your help!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: '71 50hp johnson.

Chances are you're flooding it. They flood easily. Just as soon as it tries to fire, release the choke. It'll take a few more revolutions before it will start. It seems that no matter how fast you get off the choke once it fires, it isn't fast enough. Until they get used to it, most people keep on choking. Next thing they see is pretty rainbows behind the boat from the raw gas floating to the surface. Tilting the motor probably let some of the gas trickle out of the motor.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: '71 50hp johnson.

Thanks WBW. I was hoping that's what it was. I'll try your method next time and try not to give her too much gas. Sure was a bear to get going once it flooded. Thanks again.