'84 Johnson 90HP died in water, won't restart

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Well I was out in the open ocean (nearshore), and after switching my fuel tanks to make sure I had plenty for the ride into the mouth it simply wouldn't restart. Ran all day just fine before that. Switched tanks, primed bulb until stiff, and just nothing. Ended up killing the battery trying to restart. Gave it a few mins between tries, ended up trying the pull cord once the battery died, but nothing. My kicker was still ok to run (so wasn't the gas, I just just filled that tank the day before, not bad gas), but I couldn't very well get my boat through the Tomales Bay mouth in my 17' boat on 8hp.

Had to call CG for a tow.

Next morning, it started RIGHT THE HELL UP. No hesitation. Boom.

I'm stumped. Can these engines become flooded? Should I have waited like 20 mins and then tried to restart once it became clear that it didn't want to start? What could possible be wrong, what should I do in the future in that situation, and what should I check?

Planning to pull the carbs and inspect all fuel lines. I do know that my lower fuel primer line has a leak, it was shooting fuel down when I pressed the key in to prime, saw that when I pulled the cover on the water to inspect after the no start. Could that leak cause the no start? But then why would it start and run the next day multiple times no issue?

Sorry for the long wind, I just don't know whether to keep this engine or spend too much money on something more reliable, because I can't have this kind of thing happen out in the ocean. Thank you in advance!

 

[racerone]

Have battery load tested..----Pull starter apart for inspection.-----Inspect battery cables.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Have battery load tested..----Pull starter apart for inspection.-----Inspect battery cables.

Should've said: It took a lot of cranking to eventually kill the battery. Starter is new, it engages and cranks no problem. Cables are tight and in good condition.

So I at least don't think it's a starter/battery issue. Something with carbs/fuel delivery etc.? Can these things become flooded? Will one leaky fuel primer hose prevent starting, especially when the engine is hot?

 

[tphoyt]

If you were pumping the ball hard and still using the primer after switching tanks you likely did flood it. Just swapping tanks is all you really need to do.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

If you were pumping the ball hard and still using the primer after switching tanks you likely did flood it. Just swapping tanks is all you really need to do.

Wasn't pumping hard, but when I did switch the tanks and try restarting, it wouldn't start. Then I started priming, and then no start until battery died.

It made me loose a lot of faith in this engine, because it was a 6' swell day and not a situation I wanted to not have my main engine alive for.

What do you do in the event of flooding? Would it help to trim it all the way up and back down? Does that drain the carbs? Thought I remembered something about that....

 

[racerone]

Very difficult to flood one of those motors.-----The electric primer valve has fittings with very small holes.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Very difficult to flood one of those motors.-----The electric primer valve has fittings with very small holes.

Good to know, I'm still at a loss for what caused me to be stranded.

Hopefully I'll find something amiss when I pull carbs off and inspect.

 

[racerone]

Install new carburetor kits.----Will likely solve all the issues.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Exhuming this to ask:

The thing has been running great and starting on the 1-3 crank consistently. The other day however I had the no start situation again. It spooked me, and I immediately pulled the engine cover to see if anything could be seen. The only thing I noticed was that the one primer hose that I had yet to replace was leaking. I had replaced one of them, but was waiting for a chance to pull the carbs to replace the lower one.

I did eventually get it going, but it was frustrating knowing that it can happen seemingly at any time, that the motor won't start.

I just pulled the carbs for a cleaning, and to finally replace the leaking primer hose. Carbs were darn spotless inside, but I cleaned them anyway with cleaner and probes and air etc. Replaced the primer hose so now both are new.

I'm still curious, can leaking primer hoses prevent the engine from starting? Planning to go about 12 miles offshore on Saturday so trying to get everything in line...

 

[racerone]

When you push the key in the primer valve opens.------When the motor is cranking fuel pressure goes to that open primer valve and sprays into the intake airstream.------That makes for near instant starting.----Simple as it can be.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

When you push the key in the primer valve opens.------When the motor is cranking fuel pressure goes to that open primer valve and sprays into the intake airstream.------That makes for near instant starting.----Simple as it can be.

And if the primer hoses are leaking, could it cause a no start?

 

[racerone]

Depends on how big of a leak.----Sorry , ---I can not see your motor.----What other trouble shooting has been done.-----Guessing does not work.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Enough leaking that I noticed it come out of the motor housing into the water (sorry water )

I know you can't see it, so I guess it's more of a theoretical question? Those are small hoses and orifices, so it can't be that all of the fuel that needs to go to the engine is pouring out. But if one were to say, remove the primer valve altogether (the equivalent of it spewing fuel out of its hose and not making it into the carb) would it cause a no-start, or simply a hard start?

Troubleshooting = carbs cleaned, plugs are pretty new, last year the sparks all jumped a 7/16" gap, starter is spinning nice and fast, I'm not sure what other troubleshooting to do.

 

[racerone]

Fuel from the primer valve does not fill the carburetor bowls !

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

i would start cleaning all ignition grounds starting with the coils. it would help to know if you have spark when its not starting. if it doesnt and you get stranded, disconnect the black/yellow kill switch. yours has 2 power packs racer would know if the kill wire is at the terminal strip.