1989 Johnson 175GT V6 - pretty sure it's a fuel problem

As the title says:

has spark at all 6 cylinders

blew apart a starter trying to get it to fire over the last few months....replacing that this week (didn't seem to have enough go...as if it were already dying)

managed to get it running for 10 seconds by manual start (wrapping cord around flywheel)

problem has been intermittant for the last 2 years, turned permanent now, especially when cold starting

checked/changed water/gas seperator and fuel filter

Is there an electric fuel pump for this unit? it's on a 89 Ranger Bassboat.

I know enough about cars, nothing about marine tech. please help - any ideas other than fuel pump welcome

also any info about the carbs/setup would be great, i'm used to fuel injection

thanks again

Re: 1989 Johnson 175GT V6 - pretty sure it's a fuel problem

check you compression, over 100 psi, and within 10% of each other, and will your spark jump 7/16 of an inch. if so:

time for a carb cleaning and rebuild.
the high speed jets are deep inside the drain plug on the front bottom of the carb. the tool is made to go in that narrow hole and unscrew the jets, so the can be cleaned, it doesn't take much build up to restrict these.

the low speed jets are under the top core plug, which has to be pried out and replace with a new one, in the kit.

linc and sinc, is a step by step process, different for each engine, covered in the OEM manual, what it does is correctly sets the electrical timing with the operation of the carb, so the work in unison.

i made my carb tool with my belt sander and a good screwdriver.

Re: 1989 Johnson 175GT V6 - pretty sure it's a fuel problem

excellent thanks....compression was one of the things on my list.

if the spark won't jump 7/16"? what's next in troubleshooting that? I don't think the spark had the intensity to jump that far, wires and plugs recently replaced as well as some of the points......

Re: 1989 Johnson 175GT V6 - pretty sure it's a fuel problem

Depends on the results, give me what you find out, we'll go form there.

Re: 1989 Johnson 175GT V6 - pretty sure it's a fuel problem

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Re: 1989 Johnson 175GT V6 - pretty sure it's a fuel problem

Update:

Compression and spark good

Put in NEW starter, just clicked, no start....got the test light and found the problem to be a bad armature in the starter. Took the armature from the old starter (it was the brushes and 'lid' that were damaged) and gave it a go.

Engine fired right up (making me think it was a weak starter causing half the problems)....but won't idle. if i'm on the throttle in the slightest bit i can make it run as long as i want...but it dies the instant i let it off.

Removed the first carb and am going to clean/rebuild this week.

Anything else that could be contributing?

On a side note, every 3rd start or so, the bendix gear sticks in the UP position, engaged in the flywheel ring gear, and makes a hell of a racket. tried everything....took it off, cleaned the threads, lubed it up, bought stronger springs....nothing worked reliably....could something be warped or causing it to bind? Once i get the carbs rebuilt i'm going to try to post a video to better understand.