Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

[jbirmingham]

I bought a 1975 9.9 short shaft engine a couple of weeks ago for a duckboat and have had not been able to start it, other than at the mechanic's shop, after he had it running in the test tank.

It ran very well in the shop at all speeds and pushed a lot of water in the tank. I was satisfied with what I saw and believed it would meet my needs.

It seems hard to pull the cord. Also, the cord seems short, can you tell me how long the cord should extend from handle back to the cover?

It has been a while since I've had a manual start outboard, but I do not remember much trouble getting them started.

Any thoughts?

John

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

Welcome to iboats. What is your starting procedure? Are you using the same fuel tank and lines as was used during the trial run?

 

[jbirmingham]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

High Trim,

Thank you for the prompt reply to my post.

Initially, the test tank fuel was used, then we switched to the tank I was using which belongs to my friend and was returned to him today. In the mean time I have purchased a three gallon evinrude tank due to the low profile of the boat. I have not used the new tank yet but in the future intend on using it exclusively.

My hunting friend has hooked up the engine and pumped the ball to hard.

The full choke position is all the way out. Partial choke is about 1/3.

The tiller throttle only turns a very limited amount in neutral.

So I pull the choke out and turn the throttle the limited amount available and pull the cord the distance of what seems like from my hand to my elbow, no response.

After that I pull and pull.

I took the fuel line off at the motor and a few drops spilled.


Pulled some more, my friend pulled.

Then I start swearing....

John

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

"Then I start swearing...."

We all know the feeling

Disconnect the fuel line at the pump and prime the bulb, ensuring a steady stream exits.

"http://www.crowleymarine.com/brp_parts/diagrams/29184.cfm"

There is no emergency kill clip on that motor is there, with a lanyard attached? If so, ensure it is properly seated. May want to wiggle it a little.

"http://www.crowleymarine.com/brp_parts/diagrams/29187.cfm"

If you have spark, compression and fuel, she should start. I cant see the compression or spark changing from simply bringing it home, it is probably something minor. You may need to check compression and spark though if all else fails. If you spray some pre mixed fuel into the carbs, and things improve, you will know for sure you have fuel delivery issues. It may be time for a carb rebuild. Also remove the plug and check its condition, is it wet, tan, etc... Let us know what you find.

 

[JB]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

Go to the Engine FAQs and isolate the trouble using the troubleshooting in "Outboard Won't Start".

 

[jbirmingham]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

Thanks. Nice Whaler.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

Two tidbits here.

The limited throttle in N is deliberate and is designed to prevent overrevving in N which is what they used to do before the feature was added.

You might also check the woodruff key that locks the position of the flywheel to the crankshaft...will have to take the nut and washer off the flywheel to see it.

Any deformation in that key (like partially cut through) is only a few degrees of error, but it can make for bad timing and no start. I'd get all the other stuff fixed first and do this last. Hopefully you won't need to check it.

Mark

 

[DJ]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

My hunting friend has hooked up the engine and pumped the ball to hard.

John​

Are you sure he didn't put the hose on backwards? The primer bulb has an arrow on it. The arrow denotes the direction of fuel flow. The arrow should point toward the engine.
​

 

[allymoss]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

As HighTrim said, all it needs is Fuel, Compression and spark.

What I would do is take plugs out, pull cord and hold plugs on exposed metal on the block, not paint! see if it sparks.
Then put finger gently near the plug hole, not in it as this can hurt, or use compression tester if you have one, and make sure there is decent compression. If youve got both of these you should be able to put a few drops of premixed fuel through plug holes, plugs in an give it a tug and it should buzz up for a few seconds.
This means you need carb cleaning on rebuilding.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

Hear you, but the spark has to be there at the right time; otherwise useless.

Mark

 

[mikesea]

Re: Can't start 1975 Johnson 9.9

if you dont have spark,check the kill button ,they go bad,you can disconnect it,and if eng starts,choke to stop,be sure water is hooked to the eng.it will run a good bit before choke kills it,or you could just check to see if spark appears after disconnecting the kill button,be sure to take the lead off that does the kill,not just the lead that goes to ground,the button can,if broke get ground through itself