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1989 25HP Johnson Tracker Ran great suddenly stopped

J

Jlockler

New member
Picked up an old aluminum sitting at a buddys that to his knowledge hasnt been ran in a few years. Did your basic stuff, changed impeller/water pump, thermostat, cleaned carb, flushed the fuel and put a fresh batch in with stabil and 2 stroke oil, always takes a little while to get started but eventually always runs after stalling out a few times. The first few times I took it out seemed to be okay aside from it taking a while to first start up, but once the motor was warm it was fine. Then the past few times its gotten worse and worse. I changed the spark plugs and lubed up the starter. While on the motor flusher muffs it would run like a top in the driveway. Took it back out and it ran pretty good at the ramp, got a few miles away and it shut off, had to troll back to the ramp and haven't been able to get it started since. I'm out of options and not sure what else to check. Any help would be great.
 
First thing check your compression. Then check your spark. Should jump a 5/16" open air gap on a spark tester.
 
If compression and spark are good then debate if trash might have gotten in the carbs from possibly bad fuel hoses or some such. You could try spraying some starting fluid or throttle body cleaner in the mouth of the carb to see if it will hit with that, would tell you if it was fuel related.
 
I checked the spark earlier today and its good on both plugs. I'll be checking compression tomorrow once I have time to grab a test kit. Also the starter is disengaging the flywheel after a few seconds, it won't continue to crank even if i have the key turned.
 
Is the starter making noise when it stops turning the engine? If so the starter drive gear (the gear that engages the flywheel) is likely going bad.
 
I reread your post and saw that you said that the starter dropped out entirely so not the drive, more likely starter solenoid, key switch or loose wiring. Check with a test light.
 
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