Johnson fuel issues - I think

grehmer

Cadet
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
18
I have a 80 Johnson Seahorse that I recently purchased. I rebuilt the carb and installed a new water pump, I tested my work a few weeks ago and it started up and would idle. Now I can't get it to start; it would pop when I spray starting fluid but does not seem to be getting gas now. One thing I noticed is that when I squeez the pump on the gas tank it never really get firm and I also noticed that the filter bowl would drain almost as fast as It is filled. What is Going on? Could this be why the motor won't start?

Thanks
 

roscozen

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
98
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

take a careful look at fuel filters ( one is on your motor block ) and the air vent on your fuel tank.
 

Al-53

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
491
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

If you are pumping the bulb and it does not firm up while engine is not running..your float may not be seating the neddle in there....if so the fuel is just pumping in the engine and flooding it....

did you replace the fuel lines also....removing and putting them back on may have made a piece come off and obstruct the float needle....

It may be time to remove the carb again and check for debri in the float seat....and also replace the fuel lines if you have not done it yet....

Al
 

grehmer

Cadet
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
18
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

Thanks for the info. I replaced the fuel filter on the motor and will check both filters, but my guess though would be the float is not working properly since when I pump the bulb the gas looks like its coming out through the lower unit. Just to confirm; the gas tank bulb should get firm if the float is seating properly, there is no other way for the gas to continue out if the float needle is firmly set?
 

roscozen

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
98
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

by all indications you seem to have something preventing your float needle from closing completely.
personally, i would first try spraying a little carb cleaner into the carb while it's running. just a little shot at a time, and see if that solves the problem. otherwise you'll need to pull the carb and rebuild it.
 

roscozen

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
98
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

oops!
i just noticed i missed your first post where you said you already did a rebuild.
sorry about that.
i think i would have to pull the carb and make sure it's clear and the float level is correct..
 

14ftgrumman

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
416
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

nd stop with the starting fluid. There is no lubrication in it and that's a good way to make sure that what life is in the motor will go away.
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Johnson fuel issues - I think

Your primer bulb should pump up firm if the engine is not running, will go soft when engine starts and runs.
The needle and seat is what controls fuel flow to the carb, if you have fuel running out of the exhaust, you need to remove the carb and check for trash holding the needle out of the seat.
You might try removing the carb with the fuel line attached and pump the primer bulb and see if gas runs out of the carb.
 
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