94 Johnson 112 SPL

scatcatttttt

Recruit
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
3
Maybe someone can help me out as we are heading out for a weekend of camping and boating this weekend. I had problems this past year with my 112 Johnson (94) not wanting to start. I took it into the shop to have it looked at. They checked the compression....all of which was normal(within 2 of each other), and they rebuilt the carbs. When we land the boat to go out boating, its a royal pain in the A@@ to get started. After that it idles and runs fine.
I had an older johnson (early 80's model), and that was also a pain to get going. Is it just something with Johnsons?
It's frustrating to see people drop their boats in the water and they fire right off and go, yet I have to crank it to get it to fire, then quick put it in fast idol before it dies. (thats the worst part, getting it to fire then not putting it in idle quick enough!)
Any ideas on the problem? Guy that worked on it said that I should disconnect the fuel line from the motor when not in use. Manual also says to try and hold the push choke in for 8 seconds before trying to start it. Also, I try to make sure the bulb is hard before starting it.
I am still pretty much a novice when it comes to working on boat motors, but I am learning, so please try and keep responses easy to understand.
Thanks in advance.
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

Try bumping the choke when she starts to die. And maybe pushing the idle lever up before starting.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

proper starting procedure, lower engine, pump bulb till hard. fast idle lever all the way up, turn key to on, push in on key for and 8 count. turn key to start. pushing the key in activates the primer/ your engine does not have a conventional choke plate. the primer injects fuel directly into the intake manifold to enrichen the fuel mix to start. you may have to push key in to keep it running, till it settles, and then lower the fast idle. a full charged battery is a must as the engine has to turn +-300 rpms to start.
 

mbb

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
176
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

The v4 crossflow engines have always been :

1) gas hogs

2) hard to get started from a cold start.

I say this after having owned 3 from 1979-1994. I have a 94 112 as well, and it can be tempramental when cold. Fresh gas helps some too.
 

ptowndune

Cadet
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

Hi - I am a new boat owner, and have a 112 SPL too, and am struggling with a low power problem - it won't develop any power over about 1/3 throttle, and kills when throttled too fast - as if the "choke" is stuck on. I know this engine has a primer, not a choke, and as my last engine was a much simpler 55 Johnson with a way to manually set and unset the choke. I've had the fuel pump replaced and we have replaced the fuel hose and cleaned the cartridge of the fuel filter. Any suggestions? Thanks, Dana
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

I have A 90hp SPL (cross flow) and a 200 cross flow, plus my B-in-L has 115 cross flow. I have ZERO problems getting these motors started, even after a year of sitting. He had problems getting the 115 started until he was shown how to do it, but now there's no issue.

Like TD said, pump the bulb, hold the key in for the count of 8, you don't always need to advance the throttle though, every motor is a little different. My 90 wants no throttle at all and the 200 wants very little, the 115 wants a little more, yours may need more.

You may need to push the key in a few times to keep it running at first, but if it won't run correctly after that then there's other issues.

Did the shop say they could start is easily?
 

ptowndune

Cadet
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

For me, starting my 112 works OK, especially holding in the primer when it doesn't want to stay running initially. A great suggestion, and it has helped. I also have to use the primer when the engine is started warm, usually.

What doesn't work is full power...it is as if the choke is on and/or it's not getting enough fuel, except pumping the bulb makes no difference in performance. It runs well at low speed, but balks, sometimes stalls or just runs really rough and sluggish when pushed. It varies in rpm's as if there is something plugged, but the fuel pump is new, the gas lines are new, the float bowls have been bled, the spark plugs were looking fine before it went in the water, the canister on the external fuel pump has been inspected and the gas is new. There is a pretty strong smell of raw gas in the exhaust as best as I can tell I read on this forum somewhere that there is another filter that can get plugged somewhere...any ideas, anyone?
 
Last edited:

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: 94 Johnson 112 SPL

ptowndune

You should start a thread with the issues on your motor, that way it will be easier to keep track of what's going on, plus you'll get more responses.
 
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