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Author Topic:   6hp Johnson kicker

Brianlev posted 08-03-2008 09:25 PM ET (US)

I have a small 6hp Johnson motor that runs for about 5 minutes and then dies slowly. It will restart but die quickly. If I let it sit for a while, it will start again and run for 5 minutes or more and then die. Then I can repeat the whole process over and over....
I have replaced the fuel and lines. I just installed new plugs on the motor also. The motor ran fine last year and even for the first couple of months this summer.
Any ideas? Thanks!
Just Scott posted 08-03-2008 10:19 PM ET (US)
I know diddly about motors compared to most, but it sounds like the engine is sucking the bowls dry, then they slowly refill and repeat.
I'd spray carb cleaner in it to see if that can loosen whatever up. Of course, I typically break things and then take them to a pro to fix the original problem and what I broke.
Proceed at your own risk. Someone will probably chime in and tell us both that these engines don't use carb float bowls...
deepwater posted 08-03-2008 11:34 PM ET (US)
i second the stuck float,,try a strong mix of sea foam to help unstick it,,put it in your gas/oil mix and with the motor running try gently taping on the bowl area to jar the float up and keep the sea foam flowing
Tohsgib posted 08-04-2008 10:51 AM ET (US)
Easy enough to remove carb and clean it, sounds like float is stuck or dirty. Be carefull with the recoil though, kinda tricky to get back together if you let the spring uncoil when removing it.
JLW posted 08-04-2008 07:07 PM ET (US)
Brianlev
I have a 6hp johnson that had a similar problem and turned out to be the fuel pump. They are rebuildable but I installed a new one for less than 30 dollars and runs fine. The sticking float theory sounds more probable though and it won't cost anything but time to fix. JLW
kwik_wurk posted 08-04-2008 09:17 PM ET (US)
I agree with most that that carb is first place to look; and a stuck float is what it sounds like.
Here are a couple quick things that you can try.
With the cowling (engine cover) off run the motor and watch the carb.
If you see any fuel coming out from anywhere (around the carb that is) this means that you have something (dirt/varnish/etc) that is causing a float/valve/needle/whatever to not seat (seal) properly and you are flooding the carb. - Solution: cleaning the carb either by hand or with some spray solution
If the motor sounds like it is running out of fuel try pumping the primer bulb and see if you can get more gas into the carb bowl. As others mentioned the float is probably sticking. - Solution: again clean carb by hand or with a solution
Also the carb may have a drain/bleed screw (at least most smaller ones do). Drain the fuel from the carb into a clean white rag. This will let you see if there is any junk at the bottom that warrants a closer look.
And of course there could be something else (like a fuel pump/ or restirction).
Hope this helps...
..and if you have more questions try and include year and type (4s/2s), this helps a lot...
jimbob28 posted 08-04-2008 09:40 PM ET (US)
As suggested in an earlier post, it is likely your fuel pump. I've had the same problem several times in the 30 years that I have owned my 6 HP kicker.
To check it out, try squeezing your primer bulb (multible times) before the engine dies. If that keeps it running, replace your fuel pump.

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Author	Topic: 6hp Johnson kicker
Brianlev	posted 08-03-2008 09:25 PM ET (US) I have a small 6hp Johnson motor that runs for about 5 minutes and then dies slowly. It will restart but die quickly. If I let it sit for a while, it will start again and run for 5 minutes or more and then die. Then I can repeat the whole process over and over.... I have replaced the fuel and lines. I just installed new plugs on the motor also. The motor ran fine last year and even for the first couple of months this summer. Any ideas? Thanks!
Just Scott	posted 08-03-2008 10:19 PM ET (US) I know diddly about motors compared to most, but it sounds like the engine is sucking the bowls dry, then they slowly refill and repeat. I'd spray carb cleaner in it to see if that can loosen whatever up. Of course, I typically break things and then take them to a pro to fix the original problem and what I broke. Proceed at your own risk. Someone will probably chime in and tell us both that these engines don't use carb float bowls...
deepwater	posted 08-03-2008 11:34 PM ET (US) i second the stuck float,,try a strong mix of sea foam to help unstick it,,put it in your gas/oil mix and with the motor running try gently taping on the bowl area to jar the float up and keep the sea foam flowing
Tohsgib	posted 08-04-2008 10:51 AM ET (US) Easy enough to remove carb and clean it, sounds like float is stuck or dirty. Be carefull with the recoil though, kinda tricky to get back together if you let the spring uncoil when removing it.
JLW	posted 08-04-2008 07:07 PM ET (US) Brianlev I have a 6hp johnson that had a similar problem and turned out to be the fuel pump. They are rebuildable but I installed a new one for less than 30 dollars and runs fine. The sticking float theory sounds more probable though and it won't cost anything but time to fix. JLW
kwik_wurk	posted 08-04-2008 09:17 PM ET (US) I agree with most that that carb is first place to look; and a stuck float is what it sounds like. Here are a couple quick things that you can try. With the cowling (engine cover) off run the motor and watch the carb. If you see any fuel coming out from anywhere (around the carb that is) this means that you have something (dirt/varnish/etc) that is causing a float/valve/needle/whatever to not seat (seal) properly and you are flooding the carb. - Solution: cleaning the carb either by hand or with some spray solution If the motor sounds like it is running out of fuel try pumping the primer bulb and see if you can get more gas into the carb bowl. As others mentioned the float is probably sticking. - Solution: again clean carb by hand or with a solution Also the carb may have a drain/bleed screw (at least most smaller ones do). Drain the fuel from the carb into a clean white rag. This will let you see if there is any junk at the bottom that warrants a closer look. And of course there could be something else (like a fuel pump/ or restirction). Hope this helps... ..and if you have more questions try and include year and type (4s/2s), this helps a lot...
jimbob28	posted 08-04-2008 09:40 PM ET (US) As suggested in an earlier post, it is likely your fuel pump. I've had the same problem several times in the 30 years that I have owned my 6 HP kicker. To check it out, try squeezing your primer bulb (multible times) before the engine dies. If that keeps it running, replace your fuel pump.