Johnson ob-1976 55hp only runs on choke?

nwpeck

Recruit
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
1
Motor has always run good. Last week when first starting it- I stalled it. Now it will only run on choke, if i dont choke it every 5 seconds it stops running. I tried new plugs & checke spark ok.

Please what should I check. nwpeck
 

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: Johnson ob-1976 55hp only runs on choke?

Only running on choke is a classic symptom of a fuel restriction, usually a dirty carb. You should check all your fuel lines and vents, filters, then carb. You might also see if pumping the primer bulb will help. If so, it could be your fuel pump. Most likely, though, you sucked some trash in your carb.
JBJ
 

mooserini

Cadet
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
11
Re: Johnson ob-1976 55hp only runs on choke?

I don't know for sure about that particular year, but on the fuel pump threre's usually a thumb screw with a flat slot for a screwdriver. if you disconnect your fuel line and then back that screw out slowly you can expose a fuel filter screen that you can clean off and re-install. Hopefully the "slug" from your fuel only made it that far and can be remedied by backing out that single thumbscrew and getting the gunk out of the fuel system. Otherwise you're looking at taking off the carb and doing the guitar wire/carb cleaner trick I've used 100 times to avoid buying an unnecessary rebuild kit. (I bet I get some crap for saying that ;) )
 

mooserini

Cadet
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
11
Re: Johnson ob-1976 55hp only runs on choke?

I don't know for sure about that particular year, but on the fuel pump threre's usually a thumb screw with a flat slot for a screwdriver. if you disconnect your fuel line and then back that screw out slowly you can expose a fuel filter screen that you can clean off and re-install. Hopefully the "slug" from your fuel only made it that far and can be remedied by backing out that single thumbscrew and getting the gunk out of the fuel system. Otherwise you're looking at taking off the carb and doing the guitar wire/carb cleaner trick I've used 100 times to avoid buying an unnecessary rebuild kit. (I bet I get some crap for saying that ;) )
I meant to say... any time I do what I mentioned, I re-connect the fuel line and pump some fresh fuel using the bulb through the line at least to that point and capture it in a small cup to assure any and all junk that may have collected before the screen is flushed free before you put a clean screen back in and tighen the screw... okay I'm finished rambling.
 
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