Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

OldJohnson6hp · Mar 19, 2009

Hello everyone. Great forum, I'm thinking maybe somebody here could help me. Here's the scoop. I picked up a '68 6hp Johnson from a friend of mine. He put it away running about 1 yr ago. He previously replaced points. I get the motor, brought it home, slap it on the boat and....no joy.

So I check the following:

New gas check
Plugs check

Gas is getting to the carb. I choke it and I can see the gas at the carb opening.
I remove the plugs, they are wet--so fuel in cylinders.

I pull it over with plugs out--can see the spark.

Well I'm stuck now. Gas yes, fire yes..But no start

Was hoping to take the kids out fishing tomorrow night (Friday) and was hoping somebody could help me out, or proper steps to go from here. I bought a Clymer book and while not the most mechanical, I am a fast study.

So any ideas guys? TIA!

JB · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

You are making assumptions about both fuel and spark.

Go to the Engine FAQS Forum. Do "Outboard won't start".

Lete us know what you find.

OldJohnson6hp · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

Will do JB! Heading that way now thanks!

BigB9000 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

might want to do the awakening sleeping outboard too.

Thats where I would start

Robj · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

I believe that is a 2 cylinder, is it possible that you have the plug wires reversed? What is the compression? You already said there was spark. If you have compression, correctly timed spark with fresh not stale fuel it should start.

Good luck.

Rick. · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

Stuck open needle valve. I'm willing to bet. (Canadian money) When you pump up the gas bulb does it get real hard and stay that way for a few minutes? Our ice is starting to melt. Only 40 inches to go. Rick.

jay_merrill · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

{Ole JayM sings the "time to rebuild the carburetor" song}

kenmyfam · Mar 20, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

Rick. said:
Stuck open needle valve. I'm willing to bet. (Canadian money) When you pump up the gas bulb does it get real hard and stay that way for a few minutes? Our ice is starting to melt. Only 40 inches to go. Rick.

Ice should be gone by Labour Day then eh !!!! just in time for fall !!!
In response to original question, if you have compression, fuel and spark at the right time it will fire.

F_R · Mar 20, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

Gas running out of carburetor, wet plugs = too much gas. It's flooded. Probably as already said, the float needle valve is stuck.

OldJohnson6hp · Mar 28, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

As an update..and for anyone else with similar problems..

It turns out the head gasket was bad. A mech told me to take out the plugs and tap them into my hand. He said to look for beading..If so the head gasket is shot.

I took 'em out and tapped..sure enough there was beading in my hand and inside the plug. Popped her open and sure enough the gasket was shot. Water had started to leak into the cylinder. Well, on went the new gasket..and away I went! She runs like a champ

No signs of rust/damage in the cylinder, all is well. The mech said he has seen this quite a few times on these little guys...and it can make them difficult (impossible

) to start.

Thanks all for the help! I learned alot reading the faq's and did as they said!

tashasdaddy · Mar 29, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

why did dthe gasket blow, running hot, change the impeller.

OldJohnson6hp · Mar 29, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

Certainly plan on doing the impeller in the next few weeks..that said the pi ss stream is strong. Does that imply the impeller is strong/ok? I'll do it anyway just to see/learn more about the motor. Thanks again..

(PS, I am starting to get hooked on this site and older outboards..I see MANY more projects coming! What a great hobby!)

jonesg · Mar 30, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

Might need thermostat change and check water passages around cylinders are clear.

OldJohnson6hp · Mar 30, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

I did clear out the passages..there was quite a bit of sand in there. May have blocked up/slowed the flow causing the gasket to leak? Not sure, but at any rate they are completely clear at this point!

Mas · Mar 30, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

OldJohnson6hp said:
It turns out the head gasket was bad. A mech told me to take out the plugs and tap them into my hand. He said to look for beading..If so the head gasket is shot.

When you say "look for beading," are you saying look for droplets of water? Sounds like a good diagnostic that I have not heard before.

MAS

freddyray21 · Mar 30, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

my guess is he it taking about gas and oil mixed with water. It will bead.

OldJohnson6hp · Mar 30, 2009

Re: Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

"are you saying look for droplets of water?"

Yup..and that was exactly what I found..

"gas and oil mixed with water. It will bead."

Bingo..

Hi everyone! I'm stumped, maybe you guys can help.

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