1990 Johnson Tracker 60hp starts but will not stay running.

[sumocomputers]

FYI, I am going through a similar issue as yours. Mine is a little different, but basically it just doesn't always want to idle, especially after running, stopping, and trying to start (very annoying when fishing a lot of spots). It has hard starting, and idles rough.

You can follow my progress on this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...nd-idles-rough

I am pretty sure I am really close to solving my problems. Fingers crossed.

Bottom line is that I have done a ton of stuff starting with carb rebuilds, etc., all incrementally better, but still not fully solved. I have a new power pack coming tomorrow, and hopefully this plus all the other bad parts I have found and replaced will solve my issues. But I had to spend $150 for the right tools & manual to test & verify the ignition system, compression, etc. But at least I don't have to just replace parts blindly, hoping they fix the problem. As much as I have spent, it is probably 1/4 of what a shop would charge, and I would not have learned a thing.

 

[daselbee]

You took the core plugs out? You visually verified that the tiny holes under the core plugs were clear?

If so, you must look for the reason the engine is not pulling fuel from the carbs.
I listed the three big items that cause this problem in my first post, clogged idle pickup tube, clogged idle fuel bleed holes in the calibration pocket, clogged idle air bleed orifices, and busted up round center nozzle gasket.
There may be more.

To verify, you can play with/adjust the red lever on the primer solenoid to open it partially while running. You will find a "sweet spot" where when that lever is turned, it provides just the right amount of gas thru the primer system to keep it going, but not stall it out.

If you can do that, you still have carb problems. Possible even that the number of turns out is wrong on the needles...don't know the spec myself.

 

[Fricker]

Yes I took the core plugs out and everything looked awesome, I still took extra time and carefully cleaned every again. Still ran the same. Ended up pulling a hail mary as I thought and talked to a local marine mechanic who was having the same issues and I put a new power pack on today. I started it up and it ran a bit longer that it did prior after a few more tries I back the idle screws out to 2 1/2 as I tried before with no avail but this time it ran even longer I was able to back them back to 1 1/2 turns where they are always set at and it now she a rippin. Thanks everyone for all the ideas sumocomputers good luck hopefully your power pack will be your ticket.