9.9 Failed Me

[ThePartsMan]

I took the boat out last night and my Johnson 9.9 Quit me.

I fired it up on the ramp and again at the dock. Then made the usual full throttle run out on the lake. It's required you know .

Stopped and let it idle while I got my GPS out and see just how fast(slow) she would go.


Then it happened. My perfectly tuned 1982 9.9 Johnson Died.
Pulled my arm off but never got so much as a chug out of her.

What would be the first few "tests" you guys would run?

 

[bktheking]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

First I'd check for spark, no spark no fire. If it's got fire maybe the carb buggered up , hung up the float or something.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Yeah. I assume spark too.

What would cause both top and bottom to quit all of a sudden?

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Was your gas tank vented? Could be a number of things. Check for spark and report back and we can help you from there. If you have a compression tester, stick it in the plug slots at the same time. Always good to know.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Powerpack or trigger gave up the ghost.

 

[allenb24]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

I had the same problem. I found that I had bare wire grounding out. I did a quick fix of electrical tape to cover the bare wire and it it fired right up. When I got back I replaced the wire and it ran as good as new. Hopefully your problem is as easy as mine. Good luck

 

[dazk14]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

I took the boat out last night and my Johnson 9.9 Quit me.

I fired it up on the ramp and again at the dock.

Please confirm the lower unit was in the water when you "fired it up on the ramp".

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

I will do a spark test tonight when I get home.
My shoulder thinks it still has plenty of compression.

A bad kill wire would be awesome.

The good news is that the trolling motor and battery worked perfectly.
My paddle never touched the water.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Please confirm the lower unit was in the water when you "fired it up on the ramp".

Confirmed. It was squirting to.
I can't say it was when it died though.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

I would remove the ground wire from the kill switch if you don't see spark during your test. Anyway it looks like your in good hands with all the replies so far. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Compression 90# on both.
Spark strong on both with in line tester.
Both plugs dark brown in color.

I pulled the carburetor and fuel pump.
Removed the bowl from the carburetor.
Carb looked fine but I think I'll clean it before putting back on.

I had fuel pump kit already so I took it apart.
It seems to be missing one of the check valve discs.
(this may have happened as I took it apart)
I guess if I can't find it I'll have to get a new pump.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING THAT MAKES ME THINK IT WOULDN'T RUN.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Do you have a new or clean set of plugs to put in? I'd try that even though you have a strong spark with the tester. It couldn't hurt and is an easy test.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Then try running it, electronic components have a habit of coming and going.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Then try running it, electronic components have a habit of coming and going.

I thought of that but I broke a fuel line and the fuel pump so I guess I'll wait until I get them fixed.

I am going to a new fuel pump and a carb kit today.

I already have them out and I know the pump was weak,
A weak pump and sticky needle would do it.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

For sure, the kits are a PITA, a whole new pump is the way to go.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

IT'S ALIVE! (Sorry. Halloween you know.)

Finnaly got to work on the little Johnson.

Everything went smooth except the mixture adjustment.
I am WAY past the 3/4 turn recommended.
Didn't check but I bet I am a 3+ full turns out.

Doesn't sound right to me but it runs and starts better than ever now.

The new Sierra fuel pump works great. I used to have to pump the primer now and then. This thing collapsed the bulb when I unhooked the fuel line from the tank.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Hey that's good news. I'm glad for you. Not sure what to say about that needle as three turns is a bit much but if it takes three, and runs good, then let it be. Rick.

 

[kbait]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

I had a 15 recently that needed 4 turns out to run well. And it ran really nice. I didn't like that, so I cleaned the carb and put a new fuel line on from pump to carb. Now it's 1.5 turns out. I didn't see anything clogged up in the carb, but it must have had a partial blockage that I blew out..

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

I'm going to have to try something. It was acting up Sunday on a pond.
Kept "hiccuping" and dieing.

Luckily we weren't on a lake big enough to need an outboard.

 

[58rude]

Re: 9.9 Failed Me

Check the simple stuff. Make sure your bulb is good and you not sucking air somewhere. Ohm out the secondary side of the coil. You might have weak coil getting blown out under compression. Could just be the little spring clip on the end of the spark plug wire. While your at it, blow the carb back apart and dip it for about three days and blow it out with air.