Motor runs a few minutes then quits

[HappyHillbilly]

Howdy ya'll!<br />My '79 Johnson 140 runs for a minute or two & then dies out. After sitting for about 5 - 10 minutes it will crank again and go for another few minutes & die out again. I ran it full throttle once and half throttle the next with no different results. Haven't tried idling to see how long it will run.<br /><br />The water pump seems to be working 'cause there is a stream coming out and the heads don't appear to be hotter than normal. After it dies there is still some pressure on the fuel line bulb, it's not collapsed, and it doesn't help to get it restarted by squeezing it. When it dies out its a sudden cut off, not sputtering.<br /><br />I've tried it with & without the hood, hoping that for some reason it would make a difference, maybe in the cooling of something. Plugs are good & I even replaced with new ones but same 'ole thing.<br /><br />The only thing done since the last time out, which it ran perfect then as it always has, was a gas fill-up. <br /><br />What should I look for? Should I test it again on the water (under stress) or out of water, using boot? Any other ideas or suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks a bunch for your time & effort! I surely appreciate it!<br /><br />HH

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Hi HH,<br /><br />Off the cuff, two things occur to me:<br /><br />1. If you drained the tank low before filling up, have you checked for water in the fuel? Sometimes the tank holds a bit of water which doesn't show up until it runs real low, then it get in the fuel line and plays hell with motor running.<br /><br />2. Second thing is electrical. Check for spark right after the motor has died. It should be fat, blue and healthy. If there is no spark, you've narrowed the problem. If there is a good spark, the problem's possibly fuel-related.

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Hey Stillfishing!<br />Those are the 2 things I suspected, but for some stupid reason I didn't think about testing it for spark after it quits runnin'. I was tired & in a hurry when it happened, as if that's an excuse for stupidity. Heeheehee!!!<br /><br />I'm going to try to test it today & will report back. <br /><br />Thank you!<br />HH

 

[fireman57]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Are you sure that it is not overheating?

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

fireman57 asked:<br />"Are you sure that it is not overheating? "<br /><br />Heh! No, I'm not sure. In fact, I ain't sure about nuthin', now. I tested it this afternoon using a flush boot and let it idle around 1200 - 1500 rpms for almost 20 minutes without a problem.<br /><br />I first suspected that it got hot but couldn't figure out how or why since it puts out a good stream of water & the heads weren't any hotter the day it acted up than they were today. That's why I mentioned it, in case its still possible, irregardless of the 2 positive signs.<br /><br />I noticed today that the hose on the air intake, or vent, for the gas tank had a crease in one of the curves it has in it. I disconnected the part putting the strain on it & left it when I tested the motor. When I first saw it I thought that maybe it was so hot the day it acted up that the hose completely collapsed, not letting the tank breathe. It was really hot that day (environment wise, not motor temp.). <br /><br />I'm gonna put it in the water, probably Thursday, & see how it does. If it dies out again I'll test it for spark right then & there to try to narrow it down.<br /><br />Thank you, too, fireman57, for your time/help. I appreciate it.<br /><br />I'll post back ASAP.<br />HH

 

[fireman57]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

If you have a good stream from the telltale then your impeller is working. If it idled that high for 20 minutes then you may not have a cooling issue. You may have some crud in the carb that gets sucked up into the jets.

 

[Hunky Dory]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

I vote for the vent crease. <br /><br />Had same problem when built-in fuel tank moved slightly toward the panel with the vent on it and crimped the vent hose. Quit quickly under power because fuel delivery inadequate per second but bulb not collapsed because some fuel could be pumped?!? Bulb would not get firm after pumping -- big hint.<br /><br />If you can hear "fwoosh" as gas cap is loosened it should restart immediately after some enthusiastic and suddenly effective milking of the bulb. Limp back to the dock with the gas cap not quite tight.<br /><br />BTW: once a year (usually about now) an insect of some diabolical variety plugs the vent on my BBQ pressure regulator with mud. Works one day, not the next. I've seen the same on electrical outlets. Any possibility your vent screen has been hit?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

I think we need to see what HH finds right after it quits......does it have spark or don't it? As Stillfishing said....this would narrow it down a bit.

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Its not been long since I drained/cleaned the tank & decarbed the motor, but that's not to say that something hasn't sneaked in since.<br /><br />The time it quit & I checked the bulb, I don't remember if it got good & firm or not. I just remember that it had some pressure & wasn't collapsed. <br /><br />I checked the vent/vent screen for a dirt dobber's nest yesterday 'cause we've got quite a few around here but it was clean. I blew on the line to make sure it was clear. I got a pre-formed elbow hose for the vent today. Too many hillbillies around here actually live by the baling wire & duct tape "fix-it" standards (previous boat owner/brother-n-law}. I had a blast tracin' wires & installin' a tach. I'm surprised the boat ain't got a horn that plays Dixie. (Hey, I'm a hillbilly, I can say stuff like that. Heeheehee!!!) <br /><br />I hope to get it in the water tomorrow (Thurs.) afternoon. I'm waiting on a radiator for my truck. Thanks to all of ya'll I've got several things to look for when/if it happens again. I'll post back here just as soon as I find out something, either way.<br /><br />Let me ask ya'll something else while I'm here. How the heck are you supposed to get to where the gas vent hose connects to the metal fitting (vent)? There might be 2 inches between the boat's foam & where it connects. I've managed to get the hose clamp loose but can't get the hose to break loose. Can't see up inside there & barely enough room for my hand to fit in there. I'd like to go ahead & replace the whole hose since I'm there, just a matter of getting the old off & making it easier to get the new on & tightened.<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />HH

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

I didn't have time to test the motor today but will do so tomorrow or the next day (Sat.).<br /><br />HH

 

[monoshock]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Most of the true hillbillies I know are happy, including my self.

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Yepper! I call it the simple life. Big city-bright lights, been there, done that. Had a blast but it aged me a lot. <br /><br />Mornin' rush hour traffic is 3 cars at a stop sign. Can't see my neighbors' house from mine. It just doesn't get any better than this! <br /><br />BTW, nice bass & love your signature.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

I know what you mean; I lived in Orlando for 8 years, just about killed me. I let out a big yell when I saw the 10-E-C state sign when we moved back. Sorry for high jacking your post on your motor problem, hope you get-er fixed.

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Must've been the vent hose.<br />I just got back from the lake & it ran just fine. Thank ya'll for taking the time to help me out. I used to help troubleshoot PCs on a forum so I can appreciate it. <br /><br />monoshock,<br />No need to apologize, you didn't hijack this thread. I'm never too busy to be friendly. I spent many years in the Orlando area, Plymouth/Apopka, to be exact. I remember when Disney World was nothin' but a huge cow pasture. The Apopka area, like Ocoee, used to be redneck country but the big city has about taken it over. My folks live down there now.<br /><br />Catch ya'll later!<br />HH

 

[monoshock]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

We use to go to Kelly Park/Rock Spring about every other weekend, loved the swim there until the Hispanics took it over.<br />My sister moved to Apopka/Big Tater and stayed for good.

 

[HappyHillbilly]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Water temp. at Rock Springs - 72 degrees, year-round. I've been quite a ways inside the cave and have found shark's teeth in the stream bed near the cave. And its 60 miles inland. <br /><br />It really is a small world, ain't it! BTW, is that a FL bass? The only thing I miss about FL is the fishin'. I love FL bass fishin'!!! Actually, after looking at your pic a 'lil more, it looks more like a spillway below a dam.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Motor runs a few minutes then quits

Just a 10-E-C bass from Norris Lake, that's a back water cove when the water is high in the early summer. <br />I do miss the windsurfing at the other Kelly Park close to Coco beach on the intercostal water.<br />But I would rather have the mountains anytime.