JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

[leotzian]

Hello I have a starting problem in my Johnson 40HP Motor.(8 years old) I cannot start it.This happens if I have to use the motor for over 10 days, If the motor starts and works for 2 minutes, the it starts immediatly after turning the key this means if I used the motor every day I don't have any problem,but I use it once a month and in winter the motors stays for 6 months without using it. <br />I will describe the problem <br />I press the fuel bulb until firm , I open the throttle a little, and I press the key ( I hear the click and and I checked that the primer choke is purring gas, then the engine starts for 3 seconds and then off, I turn the key again, and if I dont prime the engine is not starting, then I press the prime again the engine starts and the same in 3 seconds the engine stops, This happens 10 times, and finnaly if the engine starts and doesnt goes off for 20 seconds, then all are ok, The engine works fine and if I stop and start starts at once, If I leave it for 10 days I have the same problem. Some told me when I store my engine to disconnect the fuel tank and leave it until it stops, I tried it no result.The oil is in as separete tank. <br />I have this problem I thing a the begining I bought my engine. I dont know what ia going on <br />Thank you in advance <br />Leonidas

 

[OBJ]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Welcome aboard iboats forums Leonidas....<br /><br />Next time you start the engine, try turning the red lever on the primer solenoid to manual. Then try and start the engine without pushing the key in to choke. If the engine starts and runs, then the problem lies within the primer solenoid.<br /><br />Another test to see if the gas is getting to the primer, pull the two small hoses from the primer to the carbs. Have someone crank the engine and see if gas issues from the ends of the hoses. If you get gas, then the problems may lie in the carburators.<br /><br />(EDIT)You might also want to check all fuel hoses and connections. Make sure hoses are still pliable. Make sure connections are tight. Replace any hose that has become stiff.<br /><br />Keep us posted as to the results. Thanks.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Sounds like the primer is working, but the starting procedure could use some modifing. When starting the motor next time, try this. <br /><br />Pump up the bulb until firm.<br />Turn the key and hold the key IN for a count of 5 before you try to start it. <br />Then turn the key to start the engine while continuing to hold in the key until it starts.<br />It may want to die, so you may have to bump the key in a few times to keep it running until it smoothes out and continues to run on it's own. (If it does die again, repeat the same procedure.)

 

[alcan]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Hi Leon<br />It sounds to me like your being a little too conservitive with your warm up throtle. Open that puppy up. Lift the lever up almost as far as it will. If this feature is adjusted properly it will have very little efect on the actual throtle valve. It will how ever advance the timing to the correct position for starting. You will have to play with this for a while until you find the sweet spot. We don't want to start the motor wide open (an over rev),but you do need it to start with some gusto, then throtle back. Agian I feel your tring to start the motor with the spark too far retarded.

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Thank you all for the answers<br />Some mechanics here in Greece( I live in Chania Crete Greece) tells that this problem occurs in all JOHNSON ENINRUDE,of these models, when you dont use them for more than 1 month, because the oil pump (because the oil is separete), pours oil first in the carb, and the oil is much more than the gas ,and that why it dosnt start easily, The only solution they suggest, is to put another pumb in the moter replacing the one is now, and in the tank put mixed gas with oil, and dont use the separate tank<br />Whats your opinion?<br />Reading the forum I see that alot of members had exactly the same problem with me<br />Thank you again<br />Leonidas

 

[alcan]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

If your VRO system is working properly it would have no effect on starting. I disagree with your mechanics. You do not have to replace the VRO pump to test this. If you want to see if there is a difference. Pre-mix 50:1 in the tank. disconnct the oil line from the motor. Plug the oil intake at the motor.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

I agree with Alcan on this one. I don't think it would have any effect, especially at starting. If it was over-oiling, you would know it when running(Lots of Smoke at idle and low speed). You will get alarms when you perform the tests that Alcan suggested, so ignore them until you get it figured out and then if you want to do away with the VRO and go to pre-mix permanently, we can tell you how to disable the alarms. Also, it will take a bit of time for the residual oil in the pump to clearout, so don't expect different results the first time you start it after disconnecting the oil line. You will have to run it a bit to clear it out. My only other thoughts are that on an 8 year old motor, the pump may be due for an upgraded one if you decide to continue to use the VRO. There have been some significant changes in design over the past 10 years. Personally, I like the pre-mix solution and doing away with the pump. But that's just my opinion...

 

[alcan]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Yes I agree with RB. I perfer to pre-mix also. I converted my 40hp to a regular fuel pump. But this has no bearing on starting.

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Thank you for your answers<br />I will wait some days for the engine and I will try all about starting.I prefer to have separate oil and gas, If I find the way to start easily.Because the engine when normal runs perfect. I forget to tell you when my motor starts after a lot of attempts, I have alot of smoke, after a while all ok.<br />Another thing. I didnt understand, if I want to mix the oil and gas. I disconnect the oil tank from the motor and what else, My mechanic told me if I do so the inside pump will be dead after a while<br /><br />Thank you

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Not true on the pump dying. Here's what you do. Unhook the oil line at the fitting on the outside of the motor and put a cap on the nipple where the hose was. At the VRO pump inside the engine compartment, disconnect the rubber connector(About 1" X 2") and tape it up good to seal it. Remove your oil tank from the boat if you like or just plug the end of the hose. Pre-mix 50:1 in your fuel tank and start her up and go. Your overheat alarm will still work fine, but you may want to check it by removing the Tan wire from the Temp. Sensor located on the back of the motor(Head), turn the key to the on position(Not Start) and ground out the wire on the engine block. You should hear the warning horn if all is well. Put the wire back on and you're done...

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Thank you all<br />I forgot to tell you that I use Unleaded fuel not super, Is that correct?, and I use the original oil for the tank.<br />I thought that the problem as I think was. When I stop the engine and leave it for 1 month, in the small tank in the carb, remains cas with oil, Within the month the gas evaporates and remains the oil. When I try to start the engone after one month thats the problem oe difficult starting. Why this is not happening when I start the engine every 3 or 4 days?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Leonidas <br /><br />While it may be true that some of the fuel/oil mix evaporates in the carburator bowls over time, this should not be a factor. When you pump up the primer bulb, it refills the carb. bowls with fuel again. Now this is just a guess, but after only a few days, there may be enough residule oil/fuel mixture still left in the "Cylinders" to provide faster starts. In other words, the spark plugs do not have to "wait" for that initial blast of fuel from the carbs to fire. After a Month of sitting, the oil/fuel mixture has probably separated, leaving only a coat of oil in the cylinders. Plus, most motors start quicker when run often, anyway. All this is just theory, as your motor seems to be solid and starts well after short term use. I would try starting procedure outlined above and see if that helps. It may need more choke after it sits for a while. Unleaded fuel is fine. Which oil are you using? TCW-3 rated 2-stroke oil or better? No need for premium. Let us know how it goes..

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Thank you all guys you are very helpful, I will leave the motor some days, it is winter, and after that I will post all the results<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Leonidas.....I agree with RB about the starting procedure. Sometimes if my engine has sat for 2 weeks or so I hold the primer in for 10 seconds before starting and it always starts right up, if it starts to stumble a little after starting I just push the key in (bump) for a second and it smooths out. Also I would try to start the motor without using the fast idle lever at all, leave it in neutral or all the way down, depending on which type of throttle you have. If it seems to need it after that put the fast idle lever halfway up and try that, but I think it should start easier if you hold that primer longer. Also when was the last time the carbs were taken apart, cleaned and rebuilt? You may want to do this yourself as your mechanic sounds like he is just making things up as he goes along. Good luck.

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

I think it was 3 years ago when I take the motor to my mechanic to clean the carb and service(he told me that it was to much oil in the carb)but ever since I have use the boat 15 times in 3 years.Is it difficult to clean the carbs, I have all the tools, I am a sattelite tecnitian, and I have cleaned the carbs of my grass cutting machines, wood cutting etc. Finlly I thing my mechanics are not telling me the truth.<br />Final question I the carbs have problem of cleaning why after the motor starts and as long as it works works just perfect?<br />Thanks

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

I write the latest news. <br />I tried to start the engine after 4 days. I first take out the primer, I checked the two outputs, I had gas when I press the key in, I took out the spark plugs I checked cleaned, I checked in the motor for gas leaks, I had a little in the connections I fixed it, I tried to start the engine with the above procedure, I pulled the throtle half way, the engine was not starting, then I noticed that the throttle lever had no effect in the motor from start to end position is very very little effect in the motor, so I pussed the throttle lever in the motor and the motor started at once. So the problem is in the controls( I dont know how to exlpain good to understand. When I use the main lever( the one that engages the gear ) the moovement is transfered in the motor the other lever that I use to start the engine has almost no effect.<br />I think it may some broken in the controls(I don't know if that is the right word). So my problem is that I tried to start the engine with no trottle.Next days I try to check the control. If you have any idea what is going on with the control answer me<br />Thank you

 

[alcan]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Hi Leon<br />You may have a broken cable or linkage in your warm-up control. check for this. My guess is that you just need to make an adjustment at the motor on that cable. Your manual will explain better than I can on how to do this.

 

[leotzian]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Hello everybody. I tried to start the engine 15 days after I open the thottle inside the engine I did everything you said and the motor started at once.The problem is in the joystick, I cannot throttle in the neutral, I move the trottle and the movement in the motor is almost zero.I tried to open the joystick but I cant It was mounted in my boat with 2 screws,and there are three more to open it in, and separate in the middle but I cant open it to see what is going on inside, I had took a picture of it but I dont know if is it possible to attach it in the posting, I want to know if there is somewhere I can download the mounting instarctions of the joystick<br />Thank you all<br />Leonidas

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

Leonidas <br /><br />On the Motor end of the throttle cable, there is a plastic ribbed nut(Trunnion Nut) that can turned to adjust how much the throttle opens when you lift the lever. Give it a few turns and see if that helps. You may or may not have to loosen the small bracket that retains the cable to turn it. Can't remember if you turn it in or out right now to increase the fast idle. Try it both ways.I believe you turn it clockwise to increase lever response..

 

[rodbolt]

Re: JOHNSON 40HP Cold starting very difficult

hello<br /> if you have a side mounted OMC control box there is a good chance that the 2 engagment lugs on the warm up lever inside the box are loose and wallowed out. its a very common evinrude johnson problem. most boxes did it. if you lift the warm up lever and it does not feel like its attached then odds are its worn out or someone has monkied about inside the box.<br />the control cables are solidid hardend stainless so dont buy into the stretched cable theroy that a lot of mechanics try to propagate. <br /> good luck and keep posting