'78 Johnson 70 hp starts then stops right away

[netsmith2001]

I am having a problem with my 1978 Johnson 70. It starts then dies.<br />It was running beautifully the past couple months.<br />But recently it would start, then stop right away like a vacuum seal in the fuel tank but with the tank cap off it still does it.<br />Then after a few more tries it would kick in and start and run fine.<br />This pattern repeated one more time - (start, then die right away - work it a bit until it would start and stay running just fine).<br />Then today - I could not get it to stay running. One time it started and idled but as soon as I put it in gear it died.<br />Then I took it out of the water and put the muffs on to flush fresh water through and it started and ran perfectly and I even put it in gear! Frustrating !<br />It is as though something intermittent is interfering with fuel flow.<br />Any ideas how to proceed ?

 

[voodoo]

Re: '78 Johnson 70 hp starts then stops right away

try pumping the primer ball (lightly)before and as you start it (may need 2 people)and pump it a little as it is warming up...

 

[netsmith2001]

Re: '78 Johnson 70 hp starts then stops right away

Well I do always prime it before I try to crank it, though not while I am cranking it. And as I said it does start and idle nicely then died when I put it in grear.