trouble starting

[the oats]

We have a 1989 175 hp V6 Johnson 2 stroke. Sometimes when we start the motor it idles really ruff for a long time. When we try to put it in gear it shuts off. Then we hear something click and the RPMs increase, it runs smoothly and we can put it in gear and go. This ruff idling, shutting off when we put it in gear, can last up to a 1/2 hour. Any suggestions? We are new at this and only have had the boat since last July. HELP!

 

[jtexas]

Re: trouble starting

While it's idling rough, pull then replace one spark plug wire at a time. if RPM's don't change noticeably, that cylinder's not making power. Use an insulated or plastic tool to avoid a nasty shock.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[the oats]

Re: trouble starting 1989 Johnson

Re: trouble starting 1989 Johnson

Thanks, I'll tell my husband to try that. My nephew said we should try to replace the ball and fuel lines. I told him that the ball gets firm when we squeeze it though. What do you think?

 

[Randyg123]

Re: trouble starting

We have a 1989 175 hp V6 Johnson 2 stroke. Sometimes when we start the motor it idles really ruff for a long time. When we try to put it in gear it shuts off. Then we hear something click and the RPMs increase, it runs smoothly and we can put it in gear and go. This ruff idling, shutting off when we put it in gear, can last up to a 1/2 hour. Any suggestions? We are new at this and only have had the boat since last July. HELP!

What do you mean by "you hear a click"? Where is this noise coming from? Does the motor always run rough until you here this click? Then once it does 'click', can you shut the motor off and restart with no problems for the rest of the day? Others here on this site may know if you have an automatic choke or fast-idle, or some other similar "warm-up" feature that may be failing.

 

[jtexas]

Re: trouble starting

a faulty primer bulb might could restrict fuel flow -- if so all cylinders will be equally affected and the cylinder drop test won't narrow it down.

But randy has a good point - does this happen on every start, or just cold starts?

Been like this since you got it, or did it just start?

Done any maintenance to it recently?

 

[the oats]

Re: trouble starting

It has happened since we got it, but not every cold start. It only happens on cold starts. After the initial start and it gets past the rough idling it runs very well. The click is inside the motor cover. I took the cover off to listen and I still couldn't tell what made the click. I'm just in the process of performing the routine maintenance.

 

[jtexas]

Re: trouble starting

Your routine maintenance should include a compression test & spark test - those results plus cylinder drop test should narrow it down to spark or fuel, and possibly specific cylinders.

Do you have a manual? Would be helpful to find out whether that model has the "quick-start" feature and/or shift interrupt switch.

Most common cause of hard cold starts: operator error.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: trouble starting

Most common cause of hard cold starts: operator error.

Tell me about it , I started mine up and flooded it because I have the old 2 handle control on my 78 E'rude 85hp. I went to take off and it ran like crap. My point is that if your idle adjustment or settings isn't high enough when starting the motor on a cold start that it could flood out the carbs. When I started mine I didn't think to bump up the throttle lever to make it idle higher then of coarse this caused the motor to flood. Lesson learned on my part.