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40 horse johnson wont start

E

Eric Coomes

New member
Ok back again. Just hooked up my battery, fuel line, and changed the plugs. When I went to start it(electric start), it turns over about 2-3 times then wont again until I let off the ignition and do it again. It seems real tight. Could this be in the ignition/starter somewhere not giving enough power to turn the engine? There is spark, but just wont turn enough to catch fire. any ideas where to start? Dont know when it was started last.
model rds-27m 1965 johnson 40 horsepower. Thanks in advance.
 
Remove spark plugs, then turn the engine over slowly by hand. If it turns freely without binding, reinstall the spark plugs BUT DO NOT connect the spark plug wires.

With a good known battery in tip top condition and fully charged, use known good jumper cables to connect directly to the electric starter. If the engine turns over strong as it should, then obviously the starter and battery are okay and the problem lies elsewhere.... most likely with a loose or tight but dirty connection, in which case, remove, clean, and retighten all cable terminal connections including the battery terminals and the ground at the powerhead.... be sure to clean the components that the cables attach to also.
 
I have just experienced something similar......................Been a while since I have had boat in water and went to fire it up after replacing engine mounts and transom drop.

The battery is 3 years old and I never once checked electrolite levels.

Dry as a Dingo's Left Nut.

Got a new Battery.

:eek:

B
 
Sorry it took me so long to get back with update. Just pulled the plugs and she turned right over no problem. Hooked directly to the starter with jumper cables, she turned right over. Put the plugs back in and it didnt turn. Tried a couple times and finally the starter quit turning it and quit engaging. So looks like my starter right? Was able to pull it by hand with the plugs, but not enough to get it cranked. Thanks
 
If you're absolutely positive that the battery is in tip top fully charged condition, and that there is nothing wrong with the jumper cables, then that leaves only the starter.

A terminology note..... Crank/Cranking pertains to the crankshaft turning/revolving. You were able to pull it thru by hand (cranking it over)... but not enough to get it "started". No offense intended to insult your mentality here, just a note to avoid confusion in the future.

There's a trick to hand starting those high horsepower engines.
 
Yeah I "turned" the engine over by hand. It "cranked" but didnt start up. The battery was still in the truck, just hooked jumper cables up to the battery directly to starter, which eventually quit cranking the engine. Thanks
 
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