1979 70hp - Johnson - Starting toubles

[BriankClarke]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and new to boats. I just got my first boat off of a cousin and it was running decent since the start of the season but always took a bit to start.

Now, I believe it sat in a shed for a few years, and was started once a season and that was it.

My problem is that this last week it did not want to start for my return from a camping trip. I should mention It was the day after a rather intense rain storm. I managed to get it running with the cover off by pulling out the plunger in the choke solenoid, # 33 on http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1979&hp=70&model=70EL79R&manufacturer=Johnson&section=Intake+Manifold , but since it was running I could not get the cover back on. Attempts to start it with the cover on or off afterwards proved useless without the plunger pulled out and my fast idle lever at full.

After starting I could put my fast idle lever to normal and the plunger back in the solenoid and it seemed to idle as normal.

So my question I guess is, anyone have any idea what could cause this? and any tips on what to fix?

My current train of thought is to buy the carburetor rebuild kits (x3?) and attempt that. Also a co-worker mentioned maybe trying high test gas instead of regular.

70el79r - Johnson 70hp 1979

Thanks to everyone in advance!

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 70hp - Johnson - Starting toubles

My current train of thought is to buy the carburetor rebuild kits (x3?) and attempt that. Also a co-worker mentioned maybe trying high test gas instead of regular.

70el79r - Johnson 70hp 1979

Thanks to everyone in advance!

High test gas will do nothing for your motor.

Do the basics first....test compression and spark(using an adjustable spark tester- $10 at local auto parts store)

95% of the time you DO NOT need to buy the carb kits. Just open up your carbs and give them a good cleaning. Make sure to clean all holes/jets. Pay special attention to the tiny holes in the throat of the carbs, and in the nozzles. I use a metal "twist tie" from bread to clean these little holes. Strip the paper off the twist tie and use the wire to clean out the little holes etc in the carb.

Make sure to pull needle and seat and inspect for wear/debris. Set the floats so that they hang parallel with the carb body(when holding carb upside down).

Replace ALL from the tank all the way through the motor itself. Old fuel line will deteriorate and throw chunks of debris into your carbs and constantly foul the carbs.

If doing the cleaning doesn't work(most of the time it works, though), then it's possible you have debris stuck under the welch plugs. If that ends up being the case THEN you will have to punch out the plugs and buy the "carb kits".

 

[BriankClarke]

Re: 1979 70hp - Johnson - Starting toubles

Hi BonairII,

Thanks for the advice seeing as my boat is kept on a lake a few hours away I won't be able to do this till the weekend. but I definitely will try what you say and hopefully it works.

Ill post back here with my results.