Joedice456
Recruit
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2013
- Messages
- 1
I have a 1978 Johnson 85hp outboard motor that left me stranded the other day.
Had a refurbished impeller installed before the summer.
It ran great all summer over 10+ trips. The motor has been sitting for about 30 days since last trip out.
It had about 3 gallons of fuel since last trip so i put another 9 gallons in that morning.
Went to start the motor and it wouldn't fire up.
It was turning over fine but just wouldn't start. I changed spark plugs. Checked fuel lines.
Everything looked fine. But still nothing.
I bought a can of the carburetor starter fluid. Sprayed it in the carb and boom she started right up.
Took off the earmuffs and went down to the water. Again started up fine in the water.
Started heading out of the canal in 5 mph wake zone. once I tried to open her up she started stuttering.
It sounded like she wanted to go but just wouldn't reach her max rpm.
Kept trying to throttle down and then throttle back up to catch it in between stutters and eventually i caught it at the right time and got her to full rpms.
After 4 hours of boating I ran out of fuel. This is extremely unusual since I can usually go out all day on a full tank.
After reading on the forums I am assuming it could be one of my floats in the carburetors that was stuck open.
Is there any chance the fuel went bad after sitting for 30 days? Would bad fuel cause these types of symptoms?
I am wondering if anyone has any other ideas on what it could be before I bring it in the mechanics to have the carbs rebuilt.
What should I do before bringing in to rule out any other problems?
Would it too hard of a job to do myself. Should I order the manual and give it a go?
Thank you in advance for looking through the thread and any advice you can give. I am new to Boating and continue to learn something everyday I am out on the water.
Had a refurbished impeller installed before the summer.
It ran great all summer over 10+ trips. The motor has been sitting for about 30 days since last trip out.
It had about 3 gallons of fuel since last trip so i put another 9 gallons in that morning.
Went to start the motor and it wouldn't fire up.
It was turning over fine but just wouldn't start. I changed spark plugs. Checked fuel lines.
Everything looked fine. But still nothing.
I bought a can of the carburetor starter fluid. Sprayed it in the carb and boom she started right up.
Took off the earmuffs and went down to the water. Again started up fine in the water.
Started heading out of the canal in 5 mph wake zone. once I tried to open her up she started stuttering.
It sounded like she wanted to go but just wouldn't reach her max rpm.
Kept trying to throttle down and then throttle back up to catch it in between stutters and eventually i caught it at the right time and got her to full rpms.
After 4 hours of boating I ran out of fuel. This is extremely unusual since I can usually go out all day on a full tank.
After reading on the forums I am assuming it could be one of my floats in the carburetors that was stuck open.
Is there any chance the fuel went bad after sitting for 30 days? Would bad fuel cause these types of symptoms?
I am wondering if anyone has any other ideas on what it could be before I bring it in the mechanics to have the carbs rebuilt.
What should I do before bringing in to rule out any other problems?
Would it too hard of a job to do myself. Should I order the manual and give it a go?
Thank you in advance for looking through the thread and any advice you can give. I am new to Boating and continue to learn something everyday I am out on the water.