1984 35hp johnson fuel or electrical Problem Help

[rshubuck]

Dad just bought this boat and the motor is not running as it should. Starts up great but wont idle steady. Revs up then stalls out or recovers and revs up again. I played with the electric primer and when i turn the lever it runs more smooth but revs higher yet. On the lake on top end it runs great. Low end is were the problem is. I cleaned the carb out. Looked great. Did not change a thing. Same problem. I changed the plugs when i dad got it and i just checked them again and they have a lot of carbon build up which i am pretty sure if from using that electric primer. I am leaning toward the electrical system or timing. Worked on many motors but this one has me stumped. Thank you.

[jonesg]

Compression test it.
Then do a spark gap test, should jump 3/8th inch gap, get adjustable gap tester from autozone for under $12.
Primer...the lever should lay along the length of the primer.

Did you rebuild the carb with a carb kit, there are parts that should be replaced and run wire thru the jets, blast out with compressed air or carb spray.

Wandering idle can be due to an air leak or clogged carb jet.
It might just need a good decarb too.

[rshubuck]

Spark plug gap is 030 in which I was told was the correct gap from the repair shop. Don't have a compression tester but it feels real good to me when i turn her over by hand. I have been looking for an air leaks but so far unsuccessful. I do have the primer in the set position. I only moved it when i was testing or trying different things and it ran better in the open position. Which should suggest a fuel problem in the carb. I cleaned the carb. Did NOT rebuild it. Everything looked great. Used the aircompressor to clean every jet and hole i could find. I Don't think i missed anything but maybe i did. Open to suggestions.

[rshubuck]

Ok. Played with it some more. I had the carb adj set almost off. Guess i was a little tired but it not running very well at all. It is skipping every 3 seconds. When i give it gas it starts to die like i am floading it out. When i first took it on the lake on high end it ran great but bad on low end it kept dying. Now i am having troubles reving it up on the hose. My plugs were brand new but now they are covered in carbon. Coils and the power pack are probably original but they look brand new. Have not taken the flywheel off yet but I do notice some corrosion under it. I used the volt meter on the battery and motor off it was at 12.40 v. When motor was on 12.60v on idle. Am I on the right track?

[jonesg]

I give up.

[rshubuck]

Good news is I can stop looking for the problem but the bad news is bad. I was turning the fly wheel by hand when I noticed the plate where the stator is on moved down a bit and back up. Took the fly wheel off and wiggled the crankshaft. Yep it moved a little back and forth. So I am guessing I got a bad bearing some where. My question is, is wether or not this is something i can fix my self. I am guessing not. Looking for suggestions. Thx.

[kenmyfam]

i give up.

You can lead a horse to water

[noelfm58]

buck: I have the same year/model/hp Johnson as you do, same problem but with a twist: BEFORE I decided to rebuild my boat, I tested then cleaned, and tested again the motor: started on the first crank, sounded strong, shifted well, squirted water real good, idled great, accelerated great 100% perfect! Stored the motor for 4 months HORIZONTALLY (my bad) and after fixing the boat mounted it on the transom, started it (rough, real rough) and attempted to leave the dock. Rough idle and rough acceleration however, after about 10 seconds, it would run at WOT ALTHOUGH STILL ROUGH! Now, it starts does not sound good- as if it were running on only 1 cylinder. Did the same you did: cleaned carb, new kit, back on motor, same results.

Have not seen any info on how to test that electric choke. I must buy the manual as I'm sure something went terribly wrong with the 4 month horizontal, outside, rain soaked, storage. I've not yet pulled the flywheel but await receipt of my manual before yanking it out, which will probably be step # _________? on the manual.

Anyhow, did you ever get yours to run right? PLEASE, let me know. Thanks, noel