73 Johnson won't ildle

[guz101]

I have a 73 Johnson 65hp that has not been run in 4 years. It was on a boat left in the woods. I was able to get it in the water and started. The motor runs smooth at power but at idle will die unless I lift the start lever. It also wants to die from idle moving into gear.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 73 Johnson won't ildle

Sounds like the carbs are gummed up with old gasoline. They'll need to be removed and cleaned out internally.<br /><br />Be aware that there's a rubber water pump in the lower unit of that motor, and an overheat alarm horn in the motor's remote control box. The rubber impeller in the water pump can go bad with age, and really should be changed or at least looked at. If you don't get to it right away (understandable with water skiing season here), check that the overheat alarm in the remote is working. There will be a temperature sensor in cylinder head. Find it, and ground the lead to the block - the alarm should sound. <br /><br />If one of the three carbs is dirty, that cylinder can run lead, heat up & damage the motor.