question about choke on johnson 30

[jfadool]

I am the equipment manager for the FSU rowing team. I have had great results asking questions here in the past and I thank you all. now I have another one.

I have a Johnson 30 that has a hard time starting up cold. It has been in and out of the shop a few times and the last time I was in they added an electric choke and took off the prime. Now it will only start if I give it a few sprays of premix into the carb. I was thinking to just put the prime back on and not use the electric start because it seams to not help at all.

I have looked through the carb while activating the choke and I do not see any think moving. I however think that it may be an enrichment circuit. But I do not truly know how that works.

any advice would be much helpful

James

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

For that engine to start, it's has to draw raw fuel into the combustion chamber. Does that engine have any mean's at all of doing that? An electric start does not mean you don't need a choke, or primer.

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

The engine had an electric choke added. I just don't think it works. I don't see anything moving in the carb when I activate it. This makes me think that it is an enrichment circuit. But I don't think that it moves enough fuel for the engine to start. I am going to try to find a primer that can be put on to this engine. I believe the carb has an attachment point for this.

James

 

[psteurer]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

What year motor do you have? It is not clear when you say they took off the prime and added an electric choke.

Many of these motors had a primer solenoid. You activated it by pumping up the bulb near the fuel tank and then pushing the key in on the ignition. You would not see anything move. You would hear a clicking noise when you pushed the key in and that would mean fuel is getting squirted in behind the carburetor. This is what it looks like: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=305323

Is this what you have or had?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

electric start usually has electric primer.

Primer Solenoid
the primer replaced the old choke butterflies in the carborators, pushing in the key activates it, like the old choke plates, but injects fuel directly into the intake.
The red handle is used when your battery is dead, and you have to rope start. You move the handle 180 degrees.
Normal operating position is with the handle back over the body of the solenoid, like in the picture below.

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

thank you tashasdaddy that is exactly what was added to the engine.

I need to go look to see that fuel is actually getting pumped. Is the solenoid adjustable in any way(add more or less fuel)?

Thanks again

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

I just got back from the lake. I took the output hose off the primer solenoid and when I press the button I hear a click then nothing happens. I know the battery is good because it will start the engine but the prime pump does not work. Well now I know what I need to test and fix.

Thanks for the help and pointing me to find my problem.

James

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

turn the red knob to manual, and pump the fuel line bulb. you should get gas thru it. could be a clogged hose. those 1/16 hoses clog easily. then turn the motor over and see if it squirts fuel thru it. if no fuel still, disconnect the fuel line to carb, turn motor over and see if you have fuel squirt there. could be fuel pump.

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

Ok, I will check that. Now that you mention it I am thinking that I have a clogged line, I will check.

The engine starts and runs great once warm so doesn't that rule out a bad fuel pump?

thanks again
james

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

rules out fuel pump, correct. how does it idle after starting?

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

once it is running and warm it idles great. There is something in the mid-range that is causing it to hiccup but that is a different issue that is not that big of a deal.

James

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

what year is it, or the model #.

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

Ok, I got it fixed. The small prime line got plugged with what looked like plastic. Now it fires up with a few seconds of cranking.

but to answer your question the engine is a 1991. But it does have a funny running problem where it almost feels like it is stalling out for just a quick second (lean?) but only at some throttle positions. But that's not a big deal.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

that could be link n sinc problem, spark and fuel, coordination

 

[jfadool]

Re: question about choke on johnson 30

Ok, that makes sense. I am not to concerned with it. I will check the plugs and see what shape they are in. If it is not that I think I am just going to live with it.

thanks again for all you help