Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

[Sidepiper]

Hi, I just bought a boat and lanched it for the first time today, it ran for about 2 minutes and then stalled, I could get it restarted each time I tried but I could only get a little power without it stalling. I was able to limp it back to the ramp and load it by winching. When I got the boat on the trailer the primer bulb was firm, when I loosened the gas cap on the tank alot of air came out.

After some research I read that if the vent is closed on the tank the primer bulb will be collapsed...so I'm wondering if not having the vent open was my problem even know my bulb was firm with fuel.

I'll admit, I have much learning to do.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

To start, what motor are we talking about here, a year or model number will help.

What type of fuel tank are you running?

I hope you didnt buy it before a test run, or did it run fine then?

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

1987, bought the motor from a business that deals used outboards, ran good in the tank. Using a gas tank that was in the boat when I bought it that ran a late 60's 40hp evinrude. The tank hose mounted perfect on the new motor.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

What engine are we working on, model number?

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Just checked its a omc tank

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Normally if you have a vent problem with your tank the primer bulb will be sucked flat, since your primer bulb was firm I don't think you have a vent problem.
I would start with a compression and spark test. Make sure you are getting fuel to the carb, pull the plug on the bottom front of the carb bowl, does gas come out?

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Normally if you have a vent problem with your tank the primer bulb will be sucked flat, since your primer bulb was firm I don't think you have a vent problem.
I would start with a compression and spark test. Make sure you are getting fuel to the carb, pull the plug on the bottom front of the carb bowl, does gas come out?

Thank you, I will check tomorrow, was it bad that alot of air come out of the tank when I opened the vent?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Was the tank sitting in the sun? Sometimes the tank will build pressure which is actually ok. It will force fuel to the fuel pump. I normally crack the tank cap when leaving the tank sitting in the sun foe an extended period of time.
Question, we are talking about a single hose tank, correct, we should be.

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Yes the tank was in the sun all day. Yes single line tank.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

It's a normal condition if the tank cap is tight and the tank is setting in the sun all day.

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Where is the choke on this motor. I have not needed to choke this motor yet in the barrel or on the water, maybe I have the choke on without knowing??

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

You don't have a choke, you have a primer. They do the same job but in a different way, look for something like this next to the carb.http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/jsp/AsplIsmCcatViewBase.jsp?reqFor=29&lvlCode=5&path=BRP%7EA0000008%7EM0010755%7EM0010857%7EM0010858%7EC0193866&isForSupStore=false&cCatFilter=&eCatSupFldr=&hideLinkOnPath=false&docId=&docName=&isFromCMS=false&hideAdd2CartButton=&isStandAlone=&is4CmsShop=&reqln=Unknown&reqem=Unknown&reqph=Unknown&isFrPG=false&forItemCode=&pCode=C0193880

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Thanks, how do I prime the motor? Does it happen from when I start the ignition?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Do you have electric start or is it a manual start engine.

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

electric start

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

If you turn your key to on and push IN on the key you will here a click, that is your primer injecting fuel into the carb. You might be doing it without knowing it.

 

[Sidepiper]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Thanks Daviet, Changed the fuel and was blasting around the lake for an hour at full throttle.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Newbie boat owner 20 Johnson ???

Glad you got your engine running properly, happy boating.