Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

[paw2000]

Hi, ran the boat today, first time with new to me 140 motor. Had a little trouble starting, cranked over, squeezed primer till hard, cranked, squeezed, finally started, Idled fine, fast idle worked, shifted forward reverse in idle no stalling. Very pleased so far. Idle past the no wake area, then run it up to speed. Was running about 10 min fast, slow down for a fisherman, the speed back up, about 5 min later the motor slowed down, came off plane. Thinking I was hitting mud, backed off throttle, no mud kicked up, ran at 1/4 throttle, listen for any alarms, none heard, go to the primer bulb and squeezed several times, didn't get firm. I then accelerate back up, ran fine. http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx295/sammywell2009/IMG_1023.jpg
I arrive at my slip, the motor sounded soft, maybe not all cylinders, idled into the slip, motor never stalled. After tying up (about an hour) started the motor no issues sounded fine.

Any ideas? is it a fuel issue? I have replaced all primer bulbs, new fuel line 3/8s size. When the motor hiccuped at speed, I was thinking it might be from the fuel separator, as I was running the motor at home from a gas can, and today, ran from the fuel tank ($125 worth of gas) and possible air in system caused the slow down. The fuel separator is about a quart and the fuel line and primer say half quart, would that be about 15min at speed?

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

I would check the fuel pump for proper operation, it may not be working to its fullest, therefore causing a minor fuel starvation problem.

 

[paw2000]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

I was thinking of that, I have the factory manual, and a vacuum/fuel gauge. Does the fuel primer bulb stay hard when running? mine was soft, like it had vacuum on it. I don't have an anti siphon valve on the tank (to old or was removed before me) and the total fuel line is about 7ft. If the bulb supposed to be firm, then I think I have a restriction.

From my motor the fuel line goes to the water separator, then primer bulb, then tank. So when I squeeze the primer i'm putting fuel to the separator first.

I'll try to put time on the motor and see if it was a 1 time issue (hoping)

Paul

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Primer does not stay hard.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Bulb is supposed to go soft when the engine is running, thats not the problem.

Have you actually tested the alarms ?

Have you done any preventative maintinance ?
Theres a long list of things you ought to do before running the crap out of a new to you engine. Unless you know the service history?

 

[mikesea]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Another possibility is a coil.The older 4 cylinders were pressed for room,the cowl sometimes would loosen a pug wire ,or even cut one while placing,check all wires,small and large to the coils,also check the grounds of the coils,if you can,do a spark test with a tester,check all the boot connections to the coils for any corrosion or dirty connections whithin the boot

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Since this outboard is new to you, could I ask what work you did on it before taking it out? Specifically, did you service the water pump and replace the impeller. Your symptoms could easily be related to overheating. It could be various other things, but a little rundown on what maintenance you performed on the engine after getting it would be helpful.

 

[paw2000]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Here is a run down of what I did to the motor. I pulled the lower unit, new water pump kit, drained oil flush and refill. I had to replace bad rubber mounts and lower mount splined block. So I pulled the power head, replaced mounts and reassemble (new gasket to midsection). I replaced the thermostats and diaphragms, I tested the sensors by grounding and hearing alarm. Did not pull sensors and test with hot water.

I flushed out the carbs by removing drains and pumping fuel thru, I cleaned the inline filter ( was told to remove as they tend to fail?) new spark plugs. The compression is good and even all around 130 (didn't write down as they were good values).

The VRO unit looks newer, 4 wire unit, I did replace fuel and oil lines from fittings in lower cowl to VRO. Replace primer bulbs and lines to tank and oil tank. I shortened the oil tank hose, didn't want 15ft coiled up. I primed oil up to VRO by removing hose. I ran premix at home to make sure system was getting oil.

Today I replace fuel primer bulb, when I went to prime it wouldn't pump, seemed like there was an air leak. Installed the new bulb, primed with hose outlet off, got fuel quickly, reconnect hose. Motor started and ran it for a few minutes. The wind here was 30+ so no running out today. If issue continues, I'll bypass the water seperator and see what happens. I was told today, that the johnson 140 is a thirsty motor, 14gallons per hour at WOT and I may have to much restriction in the fuel plumbing. The orginal motor was a force 125, not sure how much fuel that motor would need at WOT.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Sounds like the fuel filter caused a restriction, bulb checkvalve was stuck and fuel syphoned back to tank. Thats a common scenario.
I'd be prepared to by-pass any inline filters, but a water seperator is needed.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

i had the exact same problem a couple of years ago with about the same set up ,except my bulb was after the seperater and even though it was bran new it was defective,the squeeze bulb that is.also make double sure that the connection to the motor itself clicks in good or that can be a source of endless fits ,trust me on that one.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Ran motor for first time, minor hiccup

Possibilities ,perhaps the gas tank ,isnt venting,it would cause a fuel restriction symptom,a quick test is simply opening the cap and let it vent,if problem goes away ,check the vent,often fill with bugs ,corrosion and dirt,also check for hard turns of fuel line,if the engine getsup on plane,runs great for a minute or so ,then goes down in speed,your restriction may be in one of the carbs,a bowl not filling fast enough or full enoug could cause the problem of insifficent supply ,if the drop of RPM is caused after a few minutes and it doesnt come back after idling (which will happen in the fuel scenarion I mentioned when bowl in carb refills )it could be a coil that drops off after it heats up,its a commom problem,but as I say ,it will often fix itself temporarly after it has cooled ,not just idled as in the fuel bowl problem,I cant imagine your fuel supply line would be too small if it had the large force eng,BUT,I have seen fuel hose delaminate to the point it closes off passage inside the hose.its made of layers.In fact,you might think about changing the hose ,if you didnt already ,to accept the new ethonol fuels.built in tanks also have a anti syphon valve at the tank ,they too often fail and could cause restriction.Restriction at the tank often cause the primer ball to be sucked to collapse,if that happens,definatly look for trouble between the ball and tank supply