Engine Will NOT Start

[mssmit19]

1960 75 HP Johnson, engine will not turn over. I have rebuilt the carb and the fuel pump. I am confident that they are rebuilt correctly, and all of the preliminary adjustments have been made according to the manual. The carb and the distributor have also been synchronized. The carb is getting plenty of fuel, but the engine will not start.

What needs to be done to get the engine to fire?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

it will not start or will not turn over with the starter? are you getting good crisp spark on all 4,, and have you checked compression. you have to have a fully charged battery, good clean cables, that engine has to turn +-300 rpm for it to start.

 

[mssmit19]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

The engine will not turn over with the starter. (When I turn the key the starter turns the flywheel, but the engine will not turn over). Yes I have a good spark on all 4 plugs. I have not checked compression with a gauge, but with the rope start it seems to be good. The battery is close to fully charged. Clean cables?(battery cables are new)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

try putting a small amount of oil on the bendix shaft, and work the bendix gear up the shaft. you do not want the oil to go into the starter. also---
90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

"The engine will not turn over with the starter. (When I turn the key the starter turns the flywheel, but the engine will not turn over). "

Correct me if I am wrong. But... if the flywheel turns and the rest of the motor doesn't, isn't that something to look at right there?

Donnie.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

i read it as a mis term, the starter turns the bendix, because he could not get spark with a rope, with the woodruff key was broken. i read it as the bendix is not engaging the flywheel. or the starter is not strong enough to turn the flywheel. good point thou. after a while you learn to read the wrong terms.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Missmitt -- you still have not answered the question regarding what you mean by "engine does not turn over" There are two situations we are trying to distinguish. 1) If the starter does not spin, then the engine "cannot turn over" -- in other words the flywheel and hence the crankshaft is not rotating. 2) If the engine is indeed turning over but just doesn't start that's a totally different set of circumstances. Now then -- which condition do you have. I'm guessing number 2. You need fuel, air, spark, compression and everything needs to happen at the proper time for the engine to run. Have you pulled the plugs to see if they are wet with fuel. If not, you have a fuel problem. If they are wet and fouled you have a spark or ignition timing problem.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Also, let us know what your starting procedure is...

 

[mssmit19]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Sorry for the confusion. Regarding Silvertip’s reply I have condition 2; the engine turns over but does not start. There is nothing wrong with the starter. I have also pulled the spark plugs and they are dry, no moisture at all. The carb is getting plenty of fuel.

STARTING PROCEDURE:
1. Battery hooked up
2. Gas hooked up, and squeeze bulb in fuel line is hard
3. Water hose hooked up to water intake
4. In neutral and no throttle(idle position)
5. Choke on automatic (have also tried in the on and off positions with same results)
6. Turn and hold key to start
7. Engine turns over but will not start

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

you need to set throttle to fast idle when starting. the plugs are dry. it's not getting fuel. carb float needle stuck 99%.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Have you tried to pour a little premixed gas into the carb throat and try start it to see if the engine will kick? And by a little bit, I mean a few table spoons... just enough to fart if you know what I mean. If it does kick or run for a few seconds, I would go back to the carbs. If it doesn't, double check for spark. I don't know if anyone has mentioned it to you but, do not use anything other than premixed gas for testing. Anything else that you may think of for this purpose will not have the necessary oil in the mix to lube the engine if it starts.

Just a thought...

Good Luck.

Donnie.

 

[mssmit19]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

I am not sure that a stuck needle/float is the problem, because each throat is wet with fuel, so the carb is getting fuel.

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies I will try to start it in fast idle.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Those motors had the two handle controls. Set the shifter to neutral and push the throttle about 1/2 way up. Now pump up the fuel primer bulb, make sure the electric choke closes the choke plate, or use the manual choke. Crank the motor, and if the spark is good, and on time, and it is getting fuel, it will start. We always started those old motors at near 1/2 throttle.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

good point Chris, i forgot that. they also have to turn about 300 rpms to start. full charged battery essential.

 

[mssmit19]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

I tried to start the engine with the throttle advanced, but it still would not start. I checked the plugs and they were dry, as well as the piston heads. Next I poured a cap full of gas/oil mixture down each carb throat, and still nothing, and plugs/piston heads were still dry.

Finally I noticed that the propeller and the lower unit was covered in gas and dirt.

After looking at some diagrams in the repair manual, I confidently believe that the lower seal cap of the crank shaft is bad.

Can anyone please confirm my theory, or suggest another reason why the pistons and plugs are dry and leaking gas on to the propeller?

If my theory is correct, are there any suggestions on how to dissemble the engine easily to get to the lower seal?

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Did you check the compression yet?

 

[mssmit19]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

I have not checked the compression.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

you need to check compression first. NO or low compression and it won't run or even draw gas into the cylinders. Several times you have been asked about compression check it.

 

[mssmit19]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

Below is a reply i found, it says to let the engine idle and get up to operating temp. Can you check for compression if the engine does not start?
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jtexas
Admiral
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DFW metroplex
Posts: 6,578

Re: How do I use my new compression test kit?

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there will be some slight variation in procedures, as you will see, but here's how I do it:
Make sure the battery is fully charged (12.65V or more)
Start the engine and let it idle up to operating temp.
Disable spark by pulling the emergency lanyard.
Remove the spark plugs and inspect 'em, noting any differences between the two.
Screw the compression tester into the #1 spark plug hole.
Spin the engine with the starter - let it turn 3 or 4 times.
Repeat a couple times.
Write down the PSI from the gauge.
Reset the gauge.
Remove it from #1 and repeat the process for the #2 hole.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Engine Will NOT Start

You can check the compression with the engine not running. The compression should be even across all cylinders and at least 75PSI on that motor.

After the compression check, look around the crankcase seams, the top and bottom of the crankcase to see if there any visible leakage of intake mix. Put your hand on top of the carb throats as see if you feel some sucking, all while cranking the motor.