Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

[jrm40]

The engine (2000, 225hp) Starts with some difficulty. Auto choke works, runs at about 1100 rmp, but once auto choke cuts off and the engine rpm's drop down to 800-900rpm's it stalls. I try to restart, it catches, but will not continue to run. If I wait long enough for the auto choke to kick back in, she will again run, a little rough, but for only about 5 minutes. If I press to cancel auto choke before it automatically kicks out she will stall. I've replaced spark plugs, changed the pre-engine gas filter and the filter on the motor which hasn't made any difference. If I try to rev the engine when auto choke goes off, it does not seem to take the gas, stalls out. Any ideas what's going on.

 

[boobie]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

Sorry, but I don't know what auto choke you're talking about.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

It sounds like you have a 225 FICHT and as a start I suggest you open google search and type this into the search line

iboats:225 ficht starting problems

The FICHT motors were plagued with issues and many have been discussed. Searching on google is the fastest way.

 

[James R]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

If you have carbs I think you are referring to the fast idle condition that is built into the electronics. Could be several things but the first question is have you done a compression test. Second, have you checked all the sparks. When were the carbs last stripped and cleaned.
There are several things that can produce your problem.
If you have carbs you don't have an automatic choke, you have a primer activated by pushing the ignition key in.
If you dont have carbs you have a FICHT fuel injected. The first two tests are still valid.
Always helps to tell us exactly what motor you have.

 

[boobie]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

A model# would really help ???

 

[daselbee]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

No such thing as a Johnson Ficht. All J's were carbed. Well, the V6's anyway.

Sounds like Quickstart, and primer system. He needs to go thru the whole carb cleaning, link and sync, spark check, compression...all of it.

 

[jrm40]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

Sorry, took a little to get model #. It's a J225VXSSS engine. According tothe engine owners manual on a cold start the engine will go into "Quick start" electronic starting operation, will idle at about 1100 rpm's until engine warms up, then automatically slows to idle. Hope this stops confusion I started.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

I've had two rounds of similar symptoms on an Evinrude 200 HP. We couldn't get the motor to idle for any length of time at the specified 650 rpm in the water, in gear. It would idle all day long if you cranked the rpm up to 1000.

Put it in the shop where the mechanic replaced all the bleeder hoses, new clamps on the fuel system connections and rebuilt the carbs. Same problem. The mechanic called 2 days later and said he found the problem and I could pick it up later that day. It turns out the tach was ~200 rpm off and he was trying to get it to idle at 450 rpm. New tachometer and things where good as new.

Next Spring, the motor would idle at trolling speed (800 rpm) for a minute or so then shut down. It would start immediately and the process would repeat itself. After 4-5 tries I gave up and went for a ride. We got back to the dock and pulled the cowl. Somehow the Quick Start connector had come off. Reconnected the wire and things where good to go.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

You are going to have to go thru the whole debugging process for an engine that stalls / idles bad, etc. There will not be ONE specific thing we can point to to say "This will fix it." Read up on here about QuickStart, familiarize yourself with it's proper operation, same with primer solenoid system, go thru the compression, spark tests. This is a very common complaint, and can be cause by a myriad of issues.
Also, review the proper starting procedure, and make sure are following that. Everything I have mentioned here is easily found with the search feature of this site.

If you are close to 32754, I could work with you, hands on.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

I know what I told you is not concrete help. Here is some concrete help you might try.

First of all, you don't say if this is at idle, at WOT, on the water or on muffs at home. I will assume on the muffs at home and at idle speeds.

The fact you say it quits after 5 minutes is a key to me. First of all, the engine should be well warmed up after five minutes for QS to NOT be an issue. If you are saying that the engine runs for 5 minutes and stalls, even if COLD or HOT, then I would definitely look at the fuel pump.

When you prime the fuel system with the primer bulb, you fill the carb bowls with fuel. The engine will idle for about 5 minutes on just this amount of fuel. I have experimented and found this to be a fact. Some engines may run four mins, some six. But generally they run about five minutes. So, when that fuel is gone, they stall.

Now, if the fuel pump has failed, the fuel in the carb bowl is not being replenished as the engine uses it, and therefore the engine simply runs out of gas.

Test you can do: Listen to the port side of the engine for a clicking sound coming from the fuel pump. It clicks periodically as the engine is running. No clicks...fuel pump is bad. Also, with a very critical ear, you can tell when the engine is about to die from lack of fuel. At that point, pump the primer bulb as if you were doing it for first start. If the engine continues to run with you pumping the primer bulb, bad fuel pump. These two tests are FREE!!! to do.

 

[jrm40]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

I start the boat on my lift, in the water. On a cold start, I follow priming instructions, turning key and pressing it to prime engine. According to my user guide, engine initially starts in Quick Start mode, (1100 rpm's) and stay running. I assumed that after engine warmed and motor went to normal idle (650rpm's) was the problem. I just tried again and when engine went to regular idle, I pressed the key in to re-prime engine with no change in RPM's or continued running of engine. So I will try your suggestion to listen for the clicking, and will also try pumping the primer bulb. Thanks for advise. Will post outcome tomorrow.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

I just tried again and when engine went to regular idle, I pressed the key in to re-prime engine with no change in RPM's or continued running of engine.

Am I reading this right? Engine running at idle in the water, and you press key in and nothing happens? But yet you can start it when cold and pressing the key in? These two things are at odds with each other. When running at idle, pressing the key in should stall the engine.

If it does not stall the engine, with engine off, and while listening to primer solenoid (port side next to fuel pump) press key in. Solenoid should click. If not, debug electrical problem to primer solenoid, or bad primer solenoid.

 

[clanton]

Re: Johnson 225hp stops running after 5 minutes

If engine stall as it drops out of Quick Start, check the timer sensors.

Timer has 2 sets of sensors, starts on one set, runs on the other set.