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1986 50 HP Johnson Outboard Problem

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lslkahuna

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"I have a 1986 Johnson 50 mode

"I have a 1986 Johnson 50 model J50TLCDE, which I have had for about a month. It starts right up, and runs fine for a while (although it does not idle well). Eventually, I experience a drop in power, and then the engine dies completely. When I try to restart it, it will not start - doesn't sound like it is firing at all (just cranks but won't fire). Sometimes it won't even crank when I try to start it up, like it has seized, but that does not happen every time. If I leave the boat overnight and try to start it the next day, it starts right up. I have tried waiting a few hours after the problem occurs, but that doesn't seem to be long enough. It always seems to take at least overnight before I can start it again. Any thoughts on where to start with this problem? Thanks."
 
how does your pee stream look?

how does your pee stream look?

did you change the lower unit oil and water pump after you bought it?

does your spark jump a 7/16 gap and have a good blue flame?

whats the compression?

do you have any alarms going off?
 
"The stream is not what I woul

"The stream is not what I would call strong, but there is water coming out - more than a trickle but not a hard stream. It was serviced just before I bought it (on the back of an '87 Whaler), but the only thing that I know was done was to clean the carb. Have not checked the spark. I was told the compression was good, but I have not had it tested personally (I knew the previous owner). No alarms are going off. Sorry that I have not done more homework. I'm pretty much a small sailboat guy, and this is my first boat that doesn't depend on wind to get around. I should add that it does run very well at full throttle, for a while, right up until the power drops and then it dies. At first it could run for an hour or so, but lately that has been shortened to 10 minutes or less. Thanks."
 
does your primer bulb go flat

does your primer bulb go flat when this happens?

if not have you tried pumping it when she starts to die?

also if you have a timing light take it with you and when she wont start hook up the timing light to see if you are getting fire....ive read that some electric probs occur when they get warm. im an auto mech not an ob mech but this is a great site for learning...sometimes the same as a car sometimes a completely different animal

you should be able to put your hands on the motor for 3-4secs maybe longer after shes been warmed up and ideling if ont your overheating.
 
These motors have a history an

These motors have a history and a compression test is the first step to trouble shooting.
 
"David - The primer bulb does

"David - The primer bulb does not appear flat, but it is not firm. Unfortunately, I have not tried pumping while it is starting to die, only after the fact, and that does not get it started. I'll have to check on the overheating. Once the rains from Ike clear, I'll try your test. I assume you mean with the cover off? Again, thanks for your help."
 
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