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Recurring problem starting a '67 Johnson Seahorse

D

doorush

New member
This same thing happened a few weeks ago. A friend cleaned things out, changed plugs, and it ran great a week ago. Put in lake today and repeat.

First turn of key motor starts right up. It idles a little rough as I play with starter lever. Runs about 30 seconds and stalls. Then not able to start again. Can't even get to turn over again.

When I take out of water, it appears that gas/oil mixture has flooded engine and is leaking out the bottom end.

Any suggestions? (At wit's end)
 
You are saying that the starter will not crank it over when it stalls?---------------For the stalling you might want to clean and set the points.----Check the o-ring found in each gasline connecter.----Will it keep running if you operate the manual fuel pump ?
 
We aren't being given enough information here to make a diagnosis. "Can't even get it to turn over"---you mean the starter won't crank the motor? If that is true, it would appear that you have two problems. First thing to suspect would be battery connections. Are they clean (shiny bright clean) and tight? From there on, the possibilities multiply. Could be a loose or poor connection anywhere in the ignition / starting circuits. My guess is that the ignition system is losing primary input voltage to the coil. That voltage comes from the battery, to the ignition switch, through a special resistance wire, and back to the coil, and finally to the points. Again, poor battery connection would defeat the whole process..........Now, if that guess is correct, there could be another problem. The alternator may not be working. In theory, at least, it should continue running off the alternator output even if you disconnected the battery (DON'T TRY IT). If the alternator diodes aren't already blown, they may be after you run it without a connected battery. All this is strictly educated guesses. I'm not there to check it out.
 
My apologies - bad use of words. When I say "won't turn over", I really mean that the engine cranks, but there is no sign of life. It does not spit, sputter, etc like it's even close to starting. It just cranks and cranks. Seems like it's not getting gas or no spark. But I am seriously confused since it starts the first time. (by the way, if you haven't figured it out, I am not very mechanically inclined with engines) Thanks
 
Well at least now we know what we are dealing with. Sort of. The first thing you need to do is check for spark. Assuming you have no tools or test equipment, do it the redneck way. Stick a Phillips screwdriver in one of the spark plug boots and hold it about 3/16 to 1/4 inch away from one of the corners on a head bolt. Have a helper crank it with the key while you look for sparks. No sparks? You will have to find out why. Got sparks? They could be at the wrong time. Does the timing belt look ok? You haven't messed with it have you? Has anybody messed with the flywheel? If he didn't install it correctly, it could have sheared a key. You haven't mixed up the spark plug wires have you? As you can see, there are a lot of possibilities. I've only listed a few.
 
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