1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

[psteurer]

Hello,

I got this motor running very well thanks to help from this forum and I have the OMC manual for this motor.

This weekend a problem developed with the primer solenoid. After starting easily the first day, the motor would not start the next day when cold. I got it to start by moving the red lever on the solenoid to the manual position and pumping the fuel bulb. Then it started right up. I believe the solenoid is working since I hear a clicking noise when I press in the key. After I got the motor started I pressed the key to activate the solenoid. Usually, the motor would slow down when I did this but now it does not. Also, moving the red lever back to the manual position when the motor is running does not cause the motor to slow down.

Since I hear the solenoid click when I press the key, I am thinking that the solenoid is working but something is clogged. There are three fuel lines coming out of the solenoid, two small ones and one large one. I pulled one of the small lines that went into the top of the carb. It was not clogged. I did not check the small line that went into the bottom of the carb yet. I think the big line has something to do with recirculating unburned fuel from the manifold so it is not related to the priming operation. So here are my questions:

1) should I take the solenoid apart and look for something clogged?
2) how does one go about checking to see if the two small fuel lines are clogged and what is the best way to unclog them?
3) is it possible for there to be a clog past the fuel line in the area of the nipple that enters the intake manifold? If so, how does one clean that clog?

I have a Mighty Vac and can apply a vacuum or pressure to clear. thanks

pete

 

[psteurer]

Re: 1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

As a follow-up to my post of a few days ago, I removed the primer solenoid, took it apart and cleaned. Pretty easy job. I did not find any crude or dirt in the filter or anywhere. All the springs were fine as was the rubber gasket and plunger and all the moving parts.

My boat is a few hours away, so this weekend I will look at the two primer fuel lines leading out of the primer. I checked one of them last weekend and it was fine clean. I will check the other one this weekend.

Can someone answer a question about the nipple on the carburetor where the primer fuel line is connected? This is where the fuel would get squirted into the intake manifold when the solenoid primer is activated. After I checked the primer fuel line for a clog last weekend, I then blew into that same primer fuel line that connected to the back of the carburetor. I could not get any air in. Is that normal? Could that be where the clog is located? If so, how does one go about cleaning it? I could squirt some Sea Foam in there or Carburetor cleaner. I have a Mighty Vac and I could suck out what is in there. I do not know what is behind the nipple that leads to the intake manifold and don't want to damage anything. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks much.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

nothing behind the nozzle except the intake. easiest way to check the primer, is to pull the small hose off the carb, and activate the primer, with the bulb pump up, it will squirt gas.

 

[psteurer]

Re: 1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

Thanks, I bet my clog is in the nozzle or behind the nozzle near the carburetor. I know I could not get air in when I blew through the hose that was connected to the top nozzle on the carburetor. I did not try the bottom primer fuel line because it is hard to get at. Maybe it is clogged too.

 

[psteurer]

Re: 1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

The brass primer nozzle on top of the carburetor was clogged and I cleared it out with a piece of wire. Then I blew air through it and suck air back out with my Mighty Vac to ensure it was clear. It cold started up instantly after that. I also pushed in the key at 2000 rpm and the motor slowed indicating the primer was working. But then after a day of running, it would not cold start the next day. So I had to flip the manual primer lever and pump the fuel bulb. It started instantly. I then tried to blow air through the primer nozzle and it was clogged again.

It appears I have some crude behind the nozzle on top of the carb where the primer line goes in. Does someone know where the primer fuel goes when it enters the nozzle on top carburetor? I would like to clean that area out. The wire I used to clean the clog only went in about 3/4 of inch before it hit something solid. So the passage does not go all the way through the carburetor throat. I am thinking the primer fuel might go into the cavity where the low speed idle needle is located. I am thinking of injecting some carburetor clean through the primer nozzle or squirting some Sea Foam in there and letting it sit for a week. Any advice on what the best thing to do would be most appreciative. I sure would like to get this thing fixed so I do not have to remove the cover and use the manual primer on a cold start.

P.S. I did rebuild the carburetor last fall and cleaned all the passages out.

 

[psteurer]

Re: 1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

A post to my own post. Possibly someone has a carburetor for a 20hp 1989 Johnson laying around.

There is a brass nozzle or nipple on top of the carburetor where the fuel primer line connects (near where the carburetor attaches to the intake manifold). If one squirts carburetor cleaner into that nozzle, where does the fluid come out?

 

[psteurer]

Re: 1989 Johnson 20 hp primer solenoid problem

Finally got out to the lake. My problem is the the brass nozzle on the top of the carb that is connected to the primer solenoid hose keeps getting clogged. It happened again. I squirted carb cleaner through the nozzle and let it sit over night. Saturday morning it started up instantly on a cold start with the key pushed in the activate the primer. Sunday morning it started on the second try with the key in. Sunday afternoon it would not start until I flipped the manual primer red lever and the pumped the bulb.

Any ideas what is causing the primer nozzle on top of the carb to keep getting clogged? The primer solenoid is definitely working because I can remove the hose and it squirt fuel when the key is activated. I rebuilt the carb last Fall. I have also been running 2 ounces of Sea Foam per gallon of fuel. Other than this problem, the motor starts instantly and runs great at all speeds.