trouble starting

[Shan65]

I have a 1989 Johnson 150 GT V6. When I put in at the lake I have a problem getting to start. I prime the gas line and use the choke and after about 10 min. It might start or the battery is to far gone. Once it starts it will start all day first try. And runs very good. shannonk65@yahoo.com

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: trouble starting

sounds like your battery has "barely" enough juice to start it. try jumping from your car and if it starts right up get a better charged battery.<br />heck, if it's not the problem, at least it didn't cost anything <br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[Shan65]

Re: trouble starting

Thanks Mellowyellow, I'll try that. I do charge the starting battery before I go to the lake and has a charge of 13 volts. It just takes so long to fire up...

 

[wilde1j]

Re: trouble starting

Are you using choke/primer? 1st start of the day almost always needs primer or choke. If your motor has a choke, actuate it while cranking and keep motor running with it once it fires. Should start in a few seconds, unless your not pumping the ball up hard and filling the carb bowls.<br /><br />Also, check your owners manual. It gives detailed starting instructions.

 

[Shan65]

Re: trouble starting

Wildeone, Thanks for your reply. I've pumped the bulb till firm and try not to flood it out. I had a motor just like the one I have now, the nine years that I had it not once did it not start. When I changed boats it helped that it had the same motor just one year newer. This motor just has me stumped. I just hate to keep fishermen waiting for me and my boat.

 

[aeronutt29]

Re: trouble starting

Sounds to me like your choke isn't choking. Have an assistant hit the choke switch while you look into the carburetors. If the choke plates don't close all the way then you need to figure out how to adjust the linkages to get full choke. Since the motor is more than 5 years old it wouldn't be a bad idea to pull the carbs off for a really good cleaning too. Any automotive parts house will have a 1 gallon bucket of super corrosive carb cleaner ($15) that you can soak it in overnight. Just make sure to dismantle them first and leave any plastic or rubber parts on the workbench while the metal parts are soaking. Otherwise, you might not be able to identify that little puddle of goo that used to be a plastic part! Another option is to take the carbs to a motor machine shop or carburetor specialty shop and let them do the dismantling and soaking. <br /><br />Another very cheap fix-em-up trick that many people are discovering is a good decarboning. If you haven't decarboned the motor recently, do a search on this forum and you will find LOTS of good advise on how to do it. It's really an easy job!

 

[Shan65]

Re: trouble starting

Aeronutt, as soon as I get off work today I'll check to see if the choke plates close. Yes I do need to decarbon. Thanks for your very helpfull advice.

 

[DJ]

Re: trouble starting

Shan65,<br /><br />You DO NOT have a choke on that engine. It is a primer/fuel enrichment solonoid. It squirts fuel into the carbs.<br /><br />There is a black solonoid on the top of the air silencer (top of top carb.) It has a red lever on it. First make sure the lever is pointed the right way. The lever should be pointed toward the body of the solonoid (folded in).<br /><br />To start:<br /><br />1. Turn the key to the run position.<br />2. Push the key in and hold it for an eight count.<br />3. Release the key and crank the engine.<br /><br />Note: With the cover off of the engine, you should be able to hear the solonoid "click" when you push the key in.

 

[Shan65]

Re: trouble starting

djohns19, Thats something I did not know! I've never bought a new motor so I never had an owners manual. Is their a way to see how much fuel the silonoid is squirting so I can see that it works. And a way to adjust if needed. Please reply!