88 Johnson 100 2 stroke needs key prime to stay running

[Keithpeindl]

New to the site and boating. Have been searching for an answer to this question. I have an 88 Johnson j100stlcca 2 stroke. The problem I'm having is the motor needs the key prime to be pressed every so often to keep at idle or no wake conditions. Once on plane runs strong around 40 mph on a 16 ft Cajun bass boat. Have replace the primer bulb, fuel filter, and fuel pump. Has new plugs (champion) and new wires. Took the carbs out and cleaned out with carb spray. Seemed to be clean inside but didnt replace any gaskets. When idleing or going in a no wake you need to push the key in every 10 seconds or so to keep it going. It will sound like its going to stall then you hitthe key And it revs right back up. Im pretty confident in saying its fuel related due to the fast response to the prime button. Pumping the prime ball doesn't change anything. Haven't been able to run a compression test yet. Ran over my tester! Lol

 

[schematic]

Re: 88 Johnson 100 2 stroke needs key prime to stay running

-compression test a must
-resurface the bowls
-new gaskets
-be sure not to overtighten the top plates
-Link n Sync