Cowling Vents

[saltwaterbluefish]

I have a 1977 115 hp Johnson. Although I can get it started and it runs like a champ, it seems to start easier if the cowling is off the motor. I was wondering if anyone has ever installed vents on the cowling in order to get better airflow?

 

[racerone]

The motor is 43 years old.----Why would it need more air today.------What trouble shooting / inspection have you done on this motor?

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

Johnson's that old have always had cold start issues even through the early 90s, but based on experience taking the cowling off helps the starting process to me. This has been occurring since I inherited the motor ten years ago and I have taken it to mechanics and gone through it myself during that period and taking the cowling off always seems to help, especially during the colder months. I've read on this forum where others have used washers/spacers on the plastic cover to the carbs to increase the amount of air flow, but I was looking for an alternative, hence the question whether vents had ever been added.

 

[racerone]

Sorry----No such thing as one of these motors in good condition being hard to start.----If you are having starting issues then perhaps it is time to review the choke adjustment / and starting procedure !!----No need for extra air in my opinion.

 

[iggyw1]

If you want to add vents to the cowling to help solve the problem, you need to consider that the motor would most likely be louder than it is while running than it is without the vents cut into it. I would instead try to trouble shoot to see where the real problem is like racerone suggested.