My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

Ok, I am learing as I go here. I just bought a boat called "The Critter" for $800. It has an 81 Johnson 115 HP Outboard attached to it. The boat sat for 2 years by the prior owner. I took the Carbs apart and cleaned them with carb cleaner, and my compressor. There was no sign of corrosian. I took the tank completely out of the boat and cleaned it. I drained the lower unit and took it in to get it vaccume tested and some other test, which turned out fine. I replaced spark plugs, and wires. It ran like a champ the 1st few times we took it out. There was a tiny problem with starting. I had to spray starter fluid in the carb everytime on a cold start. After it was warm, it would start without having to spray fluid. The bulb would go hard when I pumped it. Now the bulb is just pumping away, and sometimes it will go hard, but when I am running the boat and it gets warm, the motor just dies randomely, and it seems to be getting worse. The fuel filter also looks empty when the motor dies. I pump it, but it looks as if the fuel in the fileter is going both ways. I took off the Gas Cap to see if that would help, but it only revealed minor improvement. I ran the motor with the cap off, and no improvement. It is a hard start, and at times, it is tuff to start it when the motor just dies. Even when I spray starting fluid directly into the carbs. The last time it died, and I tried to start it, the turn over sounded bad. It almost sounded like it was getting no compression, and metal was grinding inside the motor. Then it fired up, and ran enough to get us back to the dock. You may think I am crazy to keep this motor chugging after so many problems, but the fishing is hot right now, and if we have to oar out there we will. Can you please provide any advise on what to look at on this motor. I looked at the fuel pump, and it seemed ok, but I don't know what I am really looking for either.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mike

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

you can easily burn a piston using starter fluid. if it need help use a squeeze or spray bottle with premixed gas. it sound like you've use a lot of starter fluid. check you compression and toss the fluid. post results

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

Starting fluid is the worst thing to spray in a outboard only use premixed fuel the bad sound may be from the starting fluid pull the head and check cyl walls

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

Duly Noted. I will spray pre-mix for now on. But lets not get too crazy. Don't think I need to pull the head there Jimbo, I started with the compression test first. I took it to Tunex, and they said the compression is fine, and that it was not necessary to strip the motor down because I sent a little carb cleaner/starting fluid down the hatch. I appreciate the feedback Tasha's daddy, but what really would help if someone could tell me how to diagnose my primer bulb not staying firm when I pump it sometimes, and why the engine just dies when I am trolling for about 20 minutes, and then won't start up again, or why the carbs are not getting enough fuel to fire, or why on cold starts when I pump the bulb firm it doesn't get the fuel to fire up. I obviously have a fuel problem, and it would be awesome if someone could give me some direction on how I would start on diagnosing the problem.<br /><br />Thanks,

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

What I mean by not staying FIRM at times, is that when I pump the bulb (usually when motor is hot), it doesn't go firm, and the fuel in the filter looks like it is going both ways. The choke was tested and it works. Could it be the primer solinoid/Choke/before the bulb/after the bulb/the bulb/my extremly firm bulb grip???

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

"Tunex" checked your compression but gave you no advice?<br /><br />I'm no expert but I'd go for the easy stuff first:<br />1. replace fuel fittings<br />2. replace bulb<br />3. fuel pump kit<br /><br />You'd be crazy to paddle that boat! (just my 2¢)<br /><br />welcome to iboats!

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

fuel looks like it going both ways. the flapper (check valve) in the bulb could be bad. is the arrow on the bulb pointing toward the engine? sorry we freak out when we hear starting fluid.

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

Sometimes the primer bulbs only work well when pumped in a vertical position. Thats because when held horizontal, the check valve ball may not be seating, depending on the bulb design.<br /><br />I second the fuel pump kit. <br /><br />Replacing the bulb and fuel pump will eliminate two common problems.

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

could be sucking air as well, that would cause the no fuel in filter, and limp bulb

Re: My Johnson's dieing and it has a Limp bulb.

Wow, great concepts. I will try to replace the bulb first, didn't know there was a cv ball in there. If that doesn't get it, I will replace the fuel pump. And I am guessing the last would be the fuel fittings on the tank and lines. With all your input, it sounds like it is a high possibility that the fuel problem is somewhere prior to the fuel pump. I was concerned that it was a carberator issue or primer solinoid. Although I am not ruling it out just yet. Thanks for all your input, I will post the results. Oh, and Texas, Tunex does not work with outboards, and they did not want to give me false information on what to do. They checked my compression for free, and I did not feel inclined to badger them for more information. They did give me enough information to get past a bad cylinder or piston, and that the plugs all looked great. I am greatful for that.