'99 Johnson 130 starting problems

[trobinson017]

Hey all! Ran my motor 3 weeks ago, just fine. Last week had temps below freezing, now back up to high 60's/low 70's (Tampa, FL). Yesterday I had problems starting it. I dumped my fuel/water separator and there was indeed water in the fuel. This happens when the poly tank expands and contracts due to temperature changes causing the seal around the sending unit to open a bit. My mechanic says this is common with poly tanks and not to worry as long as I have the f/w separator. Anyway, after clearing out all the water and getting clear, clean gas I still can't get the motor to run for more than a minute or two. And during those 2 minutes it runs very weak, never really getting to full idle speed. Eventually, it just sputters and dies. But I can fire it right back up, yet the process repeats. I changed out the fuel filter but that made no difference.

Any advice on what I should check next? I'm going to pull the plugs later today to check those (they were replaced 6 mos ago).

Thanks!

Tim

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '99 Johnson 130 starting problems

drain the carb, then pump bulb, till you get good fuel out of the bottom carbs, put plugs back in bottom, repeat pumping till you get good fuel in top carbs.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: '99 Johnson 130 starting problems

Thanks for the info, TD. Not sure how to do it tho. How do you "drain the carb"?
I'm assuming that before I pump the bulb I should pull the cover off that covers the carbs (4 of them) and then pump the bulb while watching the fuel go into the lower carbs? The rest of the info about put the plugs back in the bottom, etc. is just confusing. Can you elaborate?

You've been a huge help to me in the past. Thanks as always!!

Tim

 

[ezeke]

Re: '99 Johnson 130 starting problems

Thanks for the info, TD. Not sure how to do it tho. How do you "drain the carb"?
I'm assuming that before I pump the bulb I should pull the cover off that covers the carbs (4 of them) and then pump the bulb while watching the fuel go into the lower carbs? The rest of the info about put the plugs back in the bottom, etc. is just confusing. Can you elaborate?

You've been a huge help to me in the past. Thanks as always!!

Tim

Take the drain plug out of the carburetor float bowl (one at a time) and squeeze the primer bulb to flush the bowl. Close that one and move to the next one and repeat, and so on.

Click the thumbnail please.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: '99 Johnson 130 starting problems

Great TD! Love the diagram too. Will make it easier for me. You rock!!!

Tim

 

[trobinson017]

Re: '99 Johnson 130 starting problems

Ok, after all these recent cold spells and work interruptions I've gotten back to working on my boat and the starting problem. Today I pumped all the water out of my tank. Then I pumped the gas out of each carb float bowl until clear. After I did the lowest one I moved on up the stack, draining each. On the second to the top one while pumping the bulb I noticed gas dripping from the lowest one. I double-checked the drain plug and it was tight. I pumped some more and noted the gas seems to be leaking from the gasket between the float bowl and carb body at the front side of the carb. I cleaned up all the gas and let the engine area dry out for about an hour. I realize now this was probably not a good idea but.....I went ahead and started the engine. It started and ran fine, very strong. But I could see gas dripping from that one carb, so I shut it down immediately. I won't run it again until I get the leaking resolved. My thought is the gasket is blown. I've never dealt with an outboard carb. Is it something I can fix myself or should I call my mechanic? Money is tight right now so if I can do it myself without major difficulties that would be best. Or, do you all think it might be something else that is allowing the leakage?

Appreciate all the help so far very much!!