Logo
FULL SITE MENU

1999 Johnson 175 starting issues

R

rick s.

Member
I have a 1999 Johnson 175 (carburated) engine that really wants to run. It's been stored outside for 4 years, but going into storage I made sure the fuel tank was full, put stabil in the fuel and fogged the cylinders. So now I'm in a position where I want to use the boat and trying to get the motor started. Have replaced the fuel hose and bulb between the tank and the motor. There is a fuel filter/water separator in-line, but the fuel is pretty clear, no water. I pump the bulb to pressurize the fuel system, sometimes I get pressure, sometimes not, so there is an air leak somewhere I think. Engine cranks great. Wants to run when I push the key in while starting to add "choke", it kicks, runs but dies as soon as the choke is released.

Guessing fuel pump? Anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks.

If you need more info let me know.
 
You could very well be correct. But as soon as the float bowls are empty (at least that is What it seems like to me) it won't start until you pump fuel with the bulb to full the carbs. Could be both the fuel pump and clogged jets.
 
It's Alive and running like a Beast!
I want to give a big shout-out to Boobie who pointed me in the right direction. I also want to give a big shout-out to Dangar Marine on Youtube. Watching him take apart and put back together a similar motor gave me the confidence to start probing a little deeper.

First thing I did was to drain all 6 fuel bowls. What came out the first time more resembled two-stroke oil than 50:1 mix. Pumped fuel into the motor with the bulb (oriented vertically, thank you...) then drained them each a second and third time. The bottom two fuel bowl drains were a little hard to get to, but perserverance (and maybe a little swearing...) won in the end. Before I started the task of taking the carbs off for a further cleaning, I thought I try and start the motor.

Hooked up the hose and turned the water on. Put the engine cowl on. Hit the starter button and it kicked. A second time it kicked. The third time I pushed the key in for a little choke and the motor lit right up....and stayed running!!! A bit smoky at first but it settled down very nicely!

Thank you thank you thank you!
 
Gonna take the boat out on September 5. Could take it out on the 4th but don't really want to do the boatramp thing on Labor day. One issue I'm having is with the trim. Trim works but the gauge doesn't. All the other gauges work. Other than buying a new gauge, and checking to make sure the wiring is correct (I did completely rewire the boat), anything else I should check?
 
Checked to make sure I had 12V at the gauge. Check.
Checked to make sure I had the wires going to the proper terminals. Check.
There is life in the gauge, but just not what I expect. Turn the key on and the gauge needle rails straight up. With the key off, when I operate the trim switch on the control handle, the gauge seems to read backwards. Was thinking that a wire was reversed, but no. Any suggestions?
 
Check your VRO oil tank cap to make sure it's venting. If it's not, when it sits the tank builds up pressure and forces oil into the carbs causing the problem you had. I never used a trim gauge on a boat. I always used my eyes and my ears when underway.
 
That is a really good suggestion Boobie, and I will do that today. In 2014 the boat went from Coastal California to Denver and lived there in dormancy for 3 1/2 years. Moved to Seattle in June, and brought the boat here in August. So from CA to CO there was a major change in air pressure, where air pressure inside the oil tank could push oil into the carbs.

I do the same thing with respect to trim. It's just interesting that it worked before sitting for so long, and before I rewired the boat.

Taking the boat out tomorrow for the "maiden voyage".
 
So took the boat out for the first time in 6 years on Tuesday. Launched in Everett, motored to Mukelteo, Clinton, up to Langley, around Hat to the east, back to Everett, then up the Snohomish river past the I5 bridge to do a little exploration. Then back to the launch ramp and home. Big motor ran great. Kicker motor ran great. Verified that the VRO system is working as the oil level in the tank dropped. WOT is 5000 rpm. The big motor was a little lazy above 4500. Water pressure great, temps great, fuel gauge flaky but found a loose connection so fixed that. 20170905_113042.jpg
 
Back
Top