85 HP Johnson starting problems

[joeyd50]

Maybe someone here can help me, I have a 1975 85HP Johnson that will not start unless I use starting fluid, after using starting fluid it will start fine for the rest of the day, just a touch of the key and it starts right up. Any ideas on getting it to start without starting fluid. I always squeeze the primer 3 or 4 times till its hard and and try to start it without starting fluid but it never starts unless I give it a squirt of starting fluid.
Thanks
Joe

 

[jtexas]

Re: 85 HP Johnson starting problems

starting fluid has no lubrication....if you wouldn't run your engine without oil, don't start it with starting fluid.

take the airbox cover off and see if the choke plates are closing completely when you push the choke button.

 

[joeyd50]

Re: 85 HP Johnson starting problems

It?s a 1975 Johnson, it does have a choke but its not on the controls, no button, its on the motor so I have to take the cowl off to change, it has 3 settings open, auto and closed, I keep it on auto, I'm going to try the closed position next time and see what happens. I don't plan on using starting fluid anymore, I know the motor runs great once it starts, now I'm going to work on this thing till it starts the way its supposed to. This motors been sitting for 3 years so I was just glad it ran, I'm going to start with a new set of plugs, and keep my fingers crossed. Any idea what to try next if the plugs don't fix it?
Thanks Again
Joe

 

[F_R]

Re: 85 HP Johnson starting problems

There should be a toggle switch below the key switch to operate the choke. Hold up on the toggle while turning the key to start. If there is no toggle switch, somebody may have put in a push-to-choke key switch. On that one, you push in on the key while turning to start. Choke at the motor must be on auto for it all to work.

To sum it up, to start a cold motor, lift the fast idle lever, lift choke toggle or push in on key while turning the key to crank it. Release choke lever/key as soon as it starts, which will be right away.

 

[jtexas]

Re: 85 HP Johnson starting problems

should be a solenoid connected to the choke linkage via a spring, which will be activated by the switch.........

 

[Tinlizzy]

Re: 85 HP Johnson starting problems

The automatic setting you see is to be used with the switch on the controls, whether its a toggle or a push type on the key switch. The switch operates the solenoid, which operates the choke. The other two settings are to be used manually without the switch (open/closed).

If for an odd reason there is no choke switch you can use the manual settings. Of course you will have to jump back to the motor to shut the choke off when she starts.