9.9 Johnson hard to start

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exbetterhalf

Recruit
Joined
Jan 20, 2010
Messages
3
Thanking you in advance. I have a 1992 Johnson 9.9, tiller, pull start. It takes quite a few pulls to start the engine cold, sometimes even when warm. I always use StaBil in my fuel and sometimes add carb. cleaner to the mix. I changed the spark plugs. I would just love for this engine to start on the first or second pull every time. The pressure in the primer bulb stays constant with no signs of leakage. I recently bought this engine and I have no idea how well it was maintained, I do know the water pump wasn't pumping so I replaced that. That was a whole nightmare in itself as 5 out of the 6 bolts holding the lower unit broke off. It may have been in salt water. I have a factory service manual but I don't know where to begin. I would hate to start messing with things that will lead to bigger troubles. The local marine mechanic charges close to $100/hr so that is out of the question, for now at least.
Thanks again,
Tony
 
psteurer

psteurer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
366
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

Since this is a new to you motor, I would recommend that you check out the top secret file: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299680 Lots of good advice.

The basics for an engine are compression, fuel delivery and spark. You might want to do a basic compression test first to ensure you have even compression on both cylinders. If you do not have even compression on the two cylinders, you have big problems. After that, spark is another good place to start. I have a feeling you will end up in the carburetor and a rebuild. But it is good to do the other checks. The top secret files lists them.

Since you have the OEM manual, you have made the best decision you could have made for this motor.
 
kbait

kbait

Commander
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
2,471
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

After confirming proper compression and spark, it's probably time for a carb clean. Carb cleaner in fuel won't do it, you need to dismantle and clean it manually.
 
O

OptsyEagle

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
1,359
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

Have you properly adjusted the rich/lean adjust on your carburetor? If it is too lean it will be a bugger to start, not to mention what you would be doing to the motor afterwards.
 
bktheking

bktheking

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,057
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

Man i'm in the wrong business, $100 to turn a wrench, I make half that managing a Canada wide network of over 60 servers, sheesh.
 
B

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

It sounds like you have a spark which is half the battle. Does yours have the little square fuel pump? Does it require the upgraded carburetor cap? Mine did, even though it ran all right with the old one until the roller broke off and I replaced the cap.

After I put the new cap on it still wouldn't run right. I put a new carb kit in after cleaning it and it still wouldn't get full power. A rebuilt fuel pump apparently didn't work right. (I'm going to try it again after I get it running right and putting it together exasctly like the instructions said) Last week I bought a new fuel pump and it seems to be running all right now, but it still needs another part before I can put it in the water on a boat.

There was a lot of black oily gunk coming out of the upper exhast port and prop area. It is possible the fuel pump was pumping too much fuel to the bottom cylinder and was flooding it out. It wouldn't get up on plane with a 14' aluminum boat before.

The oil/gas hasn't been a problem since I put the new pump on and ran it twice with ears.

All I am saying is, those I think those little pumps are really critical and might be part of the problem. Let me know what happens if you try another one.

Oh yeh. My fuel line decided not to pump enough gas this one time when I used it on this motor. Why is there always more than one unknown to drive you nuts? You might check it too just to be sure.
 
E

exbetterhalf

Recruit
Joined
Jan 20, 2010
Messages
3
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

Thanks guys for all your great ideas. I live in NJ, and everything is frozen outside, so I won't be doing much tinkering until it warms up. I can begin by checking my compression. I don't like to mess with the carb until I can have a chance to run it immediately afterwards.
Tony
 
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ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

Exbetterhalf

If you have your air box off could you tell me where the inside spring of the choke lever hooks on too? It is square ended. Thanks. Bob
 
E

exbetterhalf

Recruit
Joined
Jan 20, 2010
Messages
3
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

to ba_50,
I looked at my choke and the spring with the square end just kinds sits up in the air and rests against a black tab. It is under no tension with the choke open and barely tenses when the choke closes. If you look in the blog back to 1/23, bktheking posted a link with carb. pics. The top right pic shows the black tab.
Good luck, I can try to take a closeup if you still need it.
Tony
 
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ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: 9.9 Johnson hard to start

Exbetterhalf,

Thanks for replying. Mine doesn't have any black tab at all. The spring tenses a little when the choke closes but that is all. I guess that's the way it should be. Bob.
 
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