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Author Topic:   Whats wrong with my engine

JWK posted 04-14-2003 03:22 PM ET (US)
I tried my newly inhereted 13' with a '88 40hp Johnson. Has sat for serveral years but engine started up right away after I charged battery. Idles ok for several seconds then abruptly stalls. Can maintain idle and even run at half throtle if I goose the choke at first hint of stall. Is the characteristic of bad gas, or an obstructed fuel flow perhaps? What do you experienced guy think.
John
Jerry Townsend posted 04-14-2003 03:28 PM ET (US)
John - it sounds like your fuel path is partially restricted - like a bad filter or partially plugged fuel line. I assume that you are using fresh gasoline. Shouldn't be anything too serious though. ----- Jerry/Idaho
Bigshot posted 04-14-2003 04:21 PM ET (US)
That is not a choke...it is an enrichner that shoots gas into the engine. Will it run while squeezing the ball? If so see if you have a leak somewhere, if not I would say fuel pump(cheap).
andygere posted 04-14-2003 04:24 PM ET (US)
I agree with Jerry, it sounds like a fuel flow problem. Start with the easiest first, get some fresh gas. Also, check the fuel filters (there is one on the motor under the cover, just follow the fuel lines or check the owner's manual). Inspect the fuel line. If it is old and cracked, replace it. Often a small pinhole leak will allow air to be sucked in at higher rpms. The check valve in the primer bulbs can fail as well. If none of these things solve the problem, it may be varnish from old gas in your carb. It may be worth having a good outboard mechanic check that out.
JWK posted 04-16-2003 07:21 AM ET (US)
Thanks guys! I'll be checking the hose, bulb, and filter next weekend. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing after that.
flawton posted 04-16-2003 09:41 AM ET (US)
Does that engine have the VRO (oil injection) or are you mixing your fuel?
JWK posted 04-16-2003 07:18 PM ET (US)
My Johnson is a VRO type.
flawton posted 04-17-2003 09:40 AM ET (US)
make sure that oil injection system is working properly. After sitting for a long time that oil may not be the most fluid stuff around. At least put new oil in the resivouir. I think i have seen guys in here that actually run double oil (run 50:1 as well injection) for a tank and treat it like the breakin period on engines that have been sitting for a long time.
I know its a little off topic, just my $0.02
good luck with it
Steve Leone posted 04-17-2003 01:27 PM ET (US)
May be bad crank-end seals or reed valves if it isn`t the afore-mentioned culprits. Steve
Tom2697 posted 04-17-2003 01:31 PM ET (US)
I will have to agree with all here...especially with andygere. I had a similar (identical) problem with a 1962 13' with a 1986 40 hp Nissan that sat for a few years. (I even used the choke trick!!!) We checked all the filters, hoses, etc and found that varnish had formed in the carbs. You could always try a fuel system cleaner that is made for 2-strokes but it is my opinion that these products are only for maintenance purpose. To really clean it, the carb must be removed.
Bigshot posted 04-17-2003 01:43 PM ET (US)
If it idles fine until it basically runs out of gas, I would again look for some reason it is not getting a steady stream of fuel. Crabs may be gummed but that usually affects idle or wot, not running fine and quiting. Look for leaks and try squeezing the bulb and seeing if it runs longer.
Peter posted 04-17-2003 07:12 PM ET (US)
Could it be a dirty high speed carb jet or jets?
JWK posted 04-18-2003 01:04 PM ET (US)
Sorry guys,
Won't be able to get to it until next week. It's at our cottage in northern Michigan. I did buy a new fuel hose and bulb and will get some new gas and oil. Our Sam's club carried Mercury 2 stroke oil last spring and summer. Now they don't have any 2 stroke. Any reccomendations on where to get the best price? I'll update you asap.
John
Dr T posted 04-20-2003 04:04 PM ET (US)
Sam's Club is part of the Walmart family--and often you can find better prices at Walmart on more reasonable quantities.
tds

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Author	Topic: Whats wrong with my engine
JWK	posted 04-14-2003 03:22 PM ET (US) I tried my newly inhereted 13' with a '88 40hp Johnson. Has sat for serveral years but engine started up right away after I charged battery. Idles ok for several seconds then abruptly stalls. Can maintain idle and even run at half throtle if I goose the choke at first hint of stall. Is the characteristic of bad gas, or an obstructed fuel flow perhaps? What do you experienced guy think. John
Jerry Townsend	posted 04-14-2003 03:28 PM ET (US) John - it sounds like your fuel path is partially restricted - like a bad filter or partially plugged fuel line. I assume that you are using fresh gasoline. Shouldn't be anything too serious though. ----- Jerry/Idaho
Bigshot	posted 04-14-2003 04:21 PM ET (US) That is not a choke...it is an enrichner that shoots gas into the engine. Will it run while squeezing the ball? If so see if you have a leak somewhere, if not I would say fuel pump(cheap).
andygere	posted 04-14-2003 04:24 PM ET (US) I agree with Jerry, it sounds like a fuel flow problem. Start with the easiest first, get some fresh gas. Also, check the fuel filters (there is one on the motor under the cover, just follow the fuel lines or check the owner's manual). Inspect the fuel line. If it is old and cracked, replace it. Often a small pinhole leak will allow air to be sucked in at higher rpms. The check valve in the primer bulbs can fail as well. If none of these things solve the problem, it may be varnish from old gas in your carb. It may be worth having a good outboard mechanic check that out.
JWK	posted 04-16-2003 07:21 AM ET (US) Thanks guys! I'll be checking the hose, bulb, and filter next weekend. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing after that.
flawton	posted 04-16-2003 09:41 AM ET (US) Does that engine have the VRO (oil injection) or are you mixing your fuel?
JWK	posted 04-16-2003 07:18 PM ET (US) My Johnson is a VRO type.
flawton	posted 04-17-2003 09:40 AM ET (US) make sure that oil injection system is working properly. After sitting for a long time that oil may not be the most fluid stuff around. At least put new oil in the resivouir. I think i have seen guys in here that actually run double oil (run 50:1 as well injection) for a tank and treat it like the breakin period on engines that have been sitting for a long time. I know its a little off topic, just my $0.02 good luck with it
Steve Leone	posted 04-17-2003 01:27 PM ET (US) May be bad crank-end seals or reed valves if it isn`t the afore-mentioned culprits. Steve
Tom2697	posted 04-17-2003 01:31 PM ET (US) I will have to agree with all here...especially with andygere. I had a similar (identical) problem with a 1962 13' with a 1986 40 hp Nissan that sat for a few years. (I even used the choke trick!!!) We checked all the filters, hoses, etc and found that varnish had formed in the carbs. You could always try a fuel system cleaner that is made for 2-strokes but it is my opinion that these products are only for maintenance purpose. To really clean it, the carb must be removed.
Bigshot	posted 04-17-2003 01:43 PM ET (US) If it idles fine until it basically runs out of gas, I would again look for some reason it is not getting a steady stream of fuel. Crabs may be gummed but that usually affects idle or wot, not running fine and quiting. Look for leaks and try squeezing the bulb and seeing if it runs longer.
Peter	posted 04-17-2003 07:12 PM ET (US) Could it be a dirty high speed carb jet or jets?
JWK	posted 04-18-2003 01:04 PM ET (US) Sorry guys, Won't be able to get to it until next week. It's at our cottage in northern Michigan. I did buy a new fuel hose and bulb and will get some new gas and oil. Our Sam's club carried Mercury 2 stroke oil last spring and summer. Now they don't have any 2 stroke. Any reccomendations on where to get the best price? I'll update you asap. John
Dr T	posted 04-20-2003 04:04 PM ET (US) Sam's Club is part of the Walmart family--and often you can find better prices at Walmart on more reasonable quantities. tds