Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

[rocks beware]

Getting frustrated. Coming back in today my motor died. Seems I ran out of gas. Tank was not completely empty but close. Poured in the spare 2 gallons I had, pummped up bulb till firm( this took a long time!), & cranked & cranked but wouldn't turn over. I choked,I waited, I didn't choke,I waited. Nothing. Finally started paddling in with my 1 oar till I got a tow from a Boston Whaler. This may be a redundant problem here, but I am a complete novice when it comes to outboard motors outboards. What is it and what do I do next? Getting so I'm afraid to go out. (not to mention embarissing(sp) Any help from the pros?

 

[iRich]

Re: Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

Hi, If it took a long time to pump up the bulb you probably have a fuel leak or your float is out of adjustment...sounds like you had it flooded, choking will only flood more. how was it running when it quit?<br /><br />Rich

 

[rocks beware]

Re: Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

By the way, carbs were recently rebuilt,which may rule that out. It just seems weird that the motor ran great all day then just quit ( low gas or out of gas) and wouldn't restart after many unsuccessful tries. It semms like it would be a simple problem. Any ideas?

 

[iRich]

Re: Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

Hi, If it took a long time to pump up the bulb you probably have a fuel leak or your float is out of adjustment...sounds like you had it flooded, choking will only flood more. how was it running when it quit?<br /><br />Rich

 

[Greg Lawrence]

Re: Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

well you gotta start from the ground up... <br /><br />spark, compression, then fuel... fuel is probly the one that takes longest to pinpoint. you just have to eliminate the other two. like are the plugs fouled,are they gapped correct, do you have good spark, does compression look the same on all cyl...

 

[maked]

Re: Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

hey just my opinion, but if the problem started when you ran out of gas, think gas. I would check fuel tank for water and or rust particles, pull of bowl on bottom of carb , look for same and pull out the jet/s and blow it out, all simple. and if the full length of fuel hose, primer bulb plus carb bulb were emtied by running ot of gas, the air that replaced it may make repriming a little harder. However because it is the quickest thing to do, listen to greg and check the spark first, have fun and a little fear of motor failure isn't a bad thing, it is after all a bit harder to walk home ( thought about an auxillary)

 

[plywoody]

Re: Ol' Johnson 85hp died & won't start

I am confused. You said after it died it would not turn over. Do you mean it would not turn over, or it would turn over and not start.<br />They are obviously vastly different problems.<br /><br />I am also curious about how the fuel primer bulb "felt". If you ran out of gas, then when you add gas to the tank and squeeze the primer bulb, you should be able to "feel" the fuel filling up the empty carb bowls. If you could not, then I would look for a fuel delivery problem. (Tank inlet, hose, bulb, etc.)<br /><br />All of this assumes that the motor indeed would "turn over" but not start. If it won't turn over, then fuel, if it is a problem, is not your only problem.