Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

[E_S_A_D]

So, we just bought a used boat with a 50 hp anniversary 50 years Johnson outboard. It was running fine, but from the get go we have had trouble shifting it from neutral to forward or reverse. It simply stalls. So we have to start it in gear.

Now today, it did not get us back to shore. It idled fine. As soon as it shifted into gear it stalled.

Any ideas? One person mentioned something about a shift interrupt? If this is plausible, is it a major / expensive repair?

Thanks all.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

Start with the basic checks, spark, compression and fuel delivery. Make sure the idle is set to proper RPM.
You should not be able to start the engine in gear, you might want to check out the electrical system as to why it does.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

It was just at a mechanics shop. New plugs and a rebuilt fuel filter that had a leak. Ir ran yesterday great, but just doesn't like being put in gear. Reverse or forward and it stalls. Idles fine. This has progressively gotten worse. It does let us start it in gear.

Compression, spark, and fuel should be all okay.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

Also, when it was recently in the shop I noticed that he used this electronic 'gun' type thing from a distance while it was running. What was this instrument?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

What is the idle speed?
What is the model#
It could have been a temp gun to check the block temp when running.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

What is the idle speed?
What is the model#
It could have been a temp gun to check the block temp when running.

I'm really an engine novice. I don't know idle speed, model number I'm not sure. It's a 50 hp 50 anniversary Johnson. Oh a temp gun, interesting.

When it was at the mechanic he said the engine is in good shape. We also revved the engine with the top off by hand and it reves fine, just stalls upon putting in gear.

I hope we didn't buy a bad engine.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

When it was in the shop, was it running on a hose or in a tank?
My best guess is the idle needs to be reset.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

When it was in the shop, was it running on a hose or in a tank?
My best guess is the idle needs to be reset.

Is this an expensive issue, Daviet? If it were the idle? In the shop it was hooked to a hose.

It ran great and the fuel pump was rebuilt, because it was leaking. Once in gear it runs great, but on this last time out on the lake it wouldn't let us get it into gear.

Is it expensive to have carburetors rebuilt or new ones put in? Any ideas?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

If the idle was set while running on a hose, it might be to low. The idle should be set with the engine runing in the water (backpressure). To set the idle speed up all you have to do is reset the idle screw on the side of the engine, not hard to do if you know where it is.
Do you have a manual for your engine?

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

If the idle was set while running on a hose, it might be to low. The idle should be set with the engine runing in the water (backpressure). To set the idle speed up all you have to do is reset the idle screw on the side of the engine, not hard to do if you know where it is.
Do you have a manual for your engine?

Yes, I still have the manual. I the carbs need cleaning, is this an expensive issue? It's an old engine and we only paid around $750 for the whole boat/ trailer/ engine. Now, I'm worried I'm going to be putting that much back into it!

 

[cp1109]

Re: Boat stalls when put into gear? 50 hp Johnson

You should be able to buy a rebuild kit here I buy all my stuff here.
http://www.maxrules.com/fixomcindex.html. I really hope this helps you out if u need to rebuild it is easy and should only take hour or so at the most.