'81 Johnson 50hp starting problems

Hi. <br /> Recently bought this used motor which has been out in the elements(Canada) for the last three years. It's hard to start cold and sometimes hard to start warm. Sometimes it cranks fast(like a car), and sometimes slow(2 times/second). This can occur within a 2 minute period. Example - I can leave it for 10 minutes, come back, and it cranks fast and starts in 3-5 tries. It never starts right away when it's cold, and is sometimes hard to start if turned off(warm) and restarted 20 minutes later. I runs quite well, but will sometimes stall when idling. Should I replace the wires from the battery to the engine? Recommended wire guage? What is the minimum cranking amps required for this engine? Should I expect the engine to crank at the same rpm on every attempt to start, provided the battery is freshly charged? Can a starter solenoid be intermittant in such a way that it will pass sufficient current to the battery on one try and low current on the next try? <br /> Thanks for your help, CLK

Re: '81 Johnson 50hp starting problems

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />Check both ends of the battery cables to make sure all four connections are nice and clean. Look at where the eyes are attached to the cables for corrosion inside. If you see any area in the cables that look swoolen, it's probably corrosion inside the insulation.<br /><br />Your solenoid could be the problem. Easy enough to replace. On a 20+ year old motor it isn't a bad idea to replace it anyhow, especially considering it's long period of exposure to the elements. But typically they either connect or don't.<br /><br />It would probably be worth taking the starter apart to give it a good cleaning and greasing (just enough to lubricate the bushings on each end and the bendix threads). Some starters have two sets of brushes that work in pairs. If one sticks in a rusty socket, then the starter only produces half of the power. I don't think your 50 has two sets, but if someone put a used starter on from a larger Hp motor, it could.

Re: '81 Johnson 50hp starting problems

Thanks alot for the tips WillyBWright!! I discovered serious problems with the starter. Opened it up and found worn/broken brushes, poor connections for the brush wires, and brush mounting plate with multiple breaks! I'm going to see if I can install a new starter kit myself. This is an excellent forum. Thanks. CLK