Engine will start but wont run

[billko77]

Hi everybody. I have a 90 or 91 (I believe) 30 hp johnson electric start. There is no id tag so the year has been deduced by using the serial number (R8545517). I bought the motor not running. I choke it with the key and it starts rite up but as soon as the choke gas runs out it dies. It does this everytime. I took the carb off and cleaned it with spray carb cleaner but i still dont think its getting gas. Spark is good. Any ideas? I think im going to take the carb off and soak it. I dont know what else to do. Thanks for any help that you guys can give. I love this site.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

will it keep running if you pump the fuel primer bulb? if so i would consider. leak in fuel line, weak or bad fuel pump, clogged pick up in fuel tank.

read carb cleaning, be sure to remove and clean the jets, replace the needle valve and adjust float. also it has a primer not choke.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2014566#post2014566

Primer Solenoid
the primer replaced the old choke butterflies in the carborators, pushing in the key activates it, like the old choke plates, but injects fuel directly into the intake.
The red handle is used when your battery is dead, and you have to rope start. You move the handle 180 degrees.
Normal operating position is with the handle back over the body of the solenoid, like in the picture below.

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

I haven't tried keeping it running with the primer bulb, I will try that as soon as I get home. I was wandering about the fuel pump, where is that? Does the primer solenoid double as a fuel pump? I'm guessing at this point since I have decided to do it myself I should get a repair manual. Any suggestions on a good one? Thanks again

 

[psteurer]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

The primer solenoid is not the fuel pump. The primer is the part with the red handle on it as shown in the picture above. It's primary intent is to function only when you push the key in. In that mode, you are shooting gas behind the carburetor right into the intake manifold. So in essence you are bypassing rhe carburetor. You turn the red handle 180 degrees when your battery is dead and you need to pull start it.

The fuel pump is located closer to the spark plugs. Follow the fuel line from the primer solenoid to a part that has a big silver screw. If you remove that screw, you will find a fuel filter screw. That could be clogged.

From your description, I would point you back to the carburetor for your trouble and a clog. Follow the advice above in regard to removing the high and intermediate speed jet and the idle adjustment screw. Then clean it thoroughly.

For a manual try to get original manual from evinrude/johnson. You can try ebay.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

fuel pump looks like this http://www.iboats.com/Fuel_Pump_for...0140584--**********.910174389--view_id.174141

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

I know what you're talking about. I checked the screen and was clean as could be. I also checked the float bowl by taking out the plug and it was full of gas. So I guess it has to be clogged jet. I'm just not sure how to disassemble everything I need to get at to clean. I already had it off once. I guess I'll give it another shot.

 

[psteurer]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Here are some generic instructions on cleaning a carburetor which shows where the high and low speed jets are located: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=244013

A place in the carburetor that is many times overlooked is in the carburetor throat. There are two or three holes located right where the throttle plate touches the upper part of the throat. Manually open the plate and you will see them. Poke some brass or copper wire through them and make sure they are clear. These holes control the fuel flow when the motor is idling. If they are clogged, the motor will not idle or will die.

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Thanks, I will update tonight when I get the carb off

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Ok just got home and started it up and tried to keep it running by sqeezing the bulb on the hose. Didn't work. Proceeding with taking the carb back off.

 

[Rudi2]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

As long as you have carb off, get youself a kit for it and do it right. If it has been sitting for a while just squirting carb cleaner at it won't help, it needs to sit in it for the cleaner to work. Take it apart, get jets out, run a small wire thru passages, it doesn't take much to clog them, let it soak overnite. Replace needle and seat and float while you are at it. a little extra time will be worth it.

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Well I've got the carb back off and taken apart. Im a little disappointed, both the jets are clean and everything i can see appears to be ok. Im going to soak overnight and hope for the best.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

When you took the carb off was the bowl full of fuel?

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Yes the bowl was full of fuel and a bunch of trash. After closer examination the pickup that comes rite down the middle of the carb was completely stopped up. I unclogged it and now have all the metal pieces soaking in a gallon of carb cleaner. I also went out and dumped all the gas in the tank in a bucket and sprayed it out with carb cleaner. i didnt notice alot of dirt but the float bowl doesnt lie. I will update tomorrow after reassembly. Thanks to all. p.s. does anyone know what to do with 4 gallons of bad gas?

 

[blimp]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Look up hazardous waste disposal, we have one here but it has odd hours. Gas may not be the culprit though, might be your fuel lines that are corroded/dissolving.

 

[tmartin61clip]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

I have a 1986 evinrude 70 hp with the EXACT same problem!!! I took the carbs off and cleaned them completly.. the motor will run as long as the fuel from the primer is burned up and when its gone, it shuts off... I have replaced ALL fuel lines(carb lines and all other lines) So, now I guess its either the fuel pump or my primer ball.... I heard that the line of primer balls that West Marine carries is under a Giant recall... They said there was a pin hole defect in the ball. Just bought a new one from walmart, will try it tomorrow, HOPE it works.. If it doesn't, I guess it has to be the fuel pump? I already plugged up the oil injection part with the plug supplied.... Does the air pressure created from the power head drive the fuel pump to pump the fuel "up" to all 3 carbs?
Thanks,

T.J.
I wish you the best of luck with your outboard problem! It's just nice to know I'm not the only guy in the world being driven crazy by this problem!!
Take care

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Huh, thanks for the info on the primer ball! I bought my tank lines and ball at west marine about a year ago for another boat i had.
I never thought about the fuel lines coming to pieces like that but it make s total sense. Ive got an inline fuel filter on my fuel line and the factory screen filter in the fuel pump. I have examined and cleaned both even though i found Zero debris caught in either. im not taken any chances im gona replace the lines before i run any more gas into my nice clean carb. thanks a ton. Please let me know what solution you come up with. i will update tomorrow when i get it back together.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Huh, thanks for the info on the primer ball! I bought my tank lines and ball at west marine about a year ago for another boat i had.
I never thought about the fuel lines coming to pieces like that but it make s total sense. Ive got an inline fuel filter on my fuel line and the factory screen filter in the fuel pump. I have examined and cleaned both even though i found Zero debris caught in either. im not taken any chances im gona replace the lines before i run any more gas into my nice clean carb. thanks a ton. Please let me know what solution you come up with. i will update tomorrow when i get it back together.

That's a good idea to replace those lines while it's apart. I had mine apart for a different reason and figured I might as well replace them. Turned out they were ok but that's one less thing to worry about.

Check all the clamps too. There's a good discussion about what to use/not to use infofar as fuel line clamps, etc. I had a few bad zip-tie jobs and I believe they were sucking air. Also some discussion about Ethanol and the older fuel lines exists as well and is good reading.

Glad to hear you found a gunky carb. Seems like you're on your way!

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Well i got it all back together, new fuel lines and all, and it started right up and idled like a champ. i just want to say thanks to everybody who chimed in on my problem, i really appreciate it. I bought the boat not running so this was the first time i had it running and it didnt die on its own. I could not find a way to shut it off, I thought it would be the little button under the key but it didnt do anything. I had to pull the spark plug wires off to kill it. I know this is a different topic but whats the best way to install a kill switch?

 

[bktheking]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Is this a tiller or remote start motor? My man only goes up to 1990. A tiller shows no electric primer with a start and stop button and the remote start shows a electric primer with no stop button. Does your's have a key switch and push to prime?

 

[billko77]

Re: Engine will start but wont run

Is this a tiller or remote start motor? My man only goes up to 1990. A tiller shows no electric primer with a start and stop button and the remote start shows a electric primer with no stop button. Does your's have a key switch and push to prime?

My engine has a key. I push the key in to prime. I researched a little and found that the little button on the side of the remote is the kill switch- it just didnt work. I guess now i have to take that apart and hope theres a loose connection, if not a new switch was 20.00 at the iboat store. I,m hoping for the loose connection.

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