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98 Johnson 50hp won't idle

J

jathan1234

New member
I'm working on a 98 johnson 50hp I rebuild the carbs and put new water pump in. Go to start it and it runs for like 10 secs and dies. Kinda acts like it running out of fuel. It had some gas in it from last summer so I'm leaning towards maybe bad gas. Wanting to get a second opinion before I drain gas out of it. Thanks
 
Check the compression on it and then the spark which should jump a 7/16" open air gap on a spark tester.
 
When you answer questions with details help will follow.----Were the carburetors dirty , yes or no ?----If you operate the manual fuel pump does the motor keep running , yes or no ?-----If you turn the red lever on the electric primer valve does it keep running , yes or no ?-----If you run with another fuel tank and hose does it keep running ?
 
Carbs weren't dirty. Operating the manual fuel pump doesn't keep it running. Turning red lever does not keep it running. Haven't tried different fuel tank yet.
 
Is the fuel ethanol free? 9 months is along time for gas with ethanol to be sitting around, especially if you live in a humid climate
 
Either way dump that old gas out and get a fresh start and a clean slate to eliminate problems. I use my old fuel for the snow blower, lawnmower or mix with drain old and start brush piles with it.
 
Well new gas didn't work. I tried uploading a picture but it wouldn't let me. The idle speed stop screw doesn't even touch the stop. There's about a 1/2" gap between the end of the screw to the stop. It's like the timer base has no tension to pull it back to the stop. Is this normal?
 
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