hard starter... idle adjustment screw and fuel line/primerball ? 1988 Johnson 30

[cubsfan02449]

model: J30TECCE
Motor is a hard starter on cold start and also after warmed up. (Manual primer, electric start)

After a high speed run then fishing for 15 min to a couple hours the primer ball is often soft and needs pumped before starting. I have an attwood fuel line LP -1600 I bought at a local hardware store. Is this an compatible fuel line for this motor? Should i purchase a different line? I have a suspicion there is an air leak in fuel line/ system somewhere because of a low idle lean cough i get...... I have followed the manuals directions of turning the idle adjustment screw out 1 1/2 turns from seat and adjusting from there. But the motor coughs very bad at this setting at idle and low rpms and barely stays running. I now have my idle adjustment screw turned out around 4 turns from seat and i do not get a idle or low rpm cough. Runs and idles great. Is this normal to have the idle screw turned out this far?

I have had carb apart 3 times and cleaned and used rebuild kits.

Any of your thoughts would be appreciated

 

[racerone]

The throttle plate may be opening too early.----At idle is there clearance at the " stop screw " on that wire going to the towershaft on the port side.

 

[cubsfan02449]

Sorry, I'm not following. The wire that goes to the towershaft?

I have done a link and sync per the johnson manual.

 

[racerone]

There is a small diameter rod that goes to the back of the engine.----Find it and see if there is clearance at the stop when in idle position.---Is there clearance , yes or no ?

 

[cubsfan02449]

Here is a picture of the throttle control rod and the stop.

 

[racerone]

Correct.---At idle there is usually clearance at that stop.-----That eliminates one possible reason for the sneeze.---For cold start you turn tiller handle to the nuetral stop.--Ignore start mark on handle.--Operate primer pump in and out 3 times.----Pull the cord.

 

[cubsfan02449]

So your thinking mine looks set up correctly ? Thanks for the cold start procedure. How do i know where the nuertal stop is?

Also
I have attached a photo of link and sync directions from my manual. Where i have put the red arrow there is a note about the offset on pivot block facing forward. To me it looks the like offset is facing the wrong way in the previous pic i posted?

 

[cubsfan02449]

I think you were correct racerone about the throttle plate opening to early. I adjusted the linkage for the cam follower pickup to have the plate stay closed a little longer. Its idling a lot better with the idle adjustment screw closer to the 1 1/2 turns out from seat. No lean cough. it seems to start better when warmed up now to. It doesnt require 1/2 to full throttle anymore. just put throttle in start position and fires nicely. I might still have a soft primer ball issue after siting for a period of time. may order the correct evinrude or sierra fuel line and see if theres an improvement. Thanks for the help

 

[Silvertip]

Primer bulbs get solid initially because the float in the carb shuts off fuel flow when the carb bowl is full. Once you start the engine fuel is being sucked through the fuel line so it is normal for the primer bulb to go soft. If it gets sucked flat, that signifies there is a fuel restriction between the bulb and and pickup in the tank. Sort of like sucking on an empty soda bottle.