1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

[Elgringo10]

I have 175 hours on the motor, it has ran well over the years. Recently, I have had trouble with the motor restarting after an initial run. The engine emits a thick white smoke when it initially starts. It will run after clearing it out. No real apparent problems. After shutting it down, it won't start. I can turn it over until the battery goes dead. I can take off the air intake cover to the 6 cylinders and there is oil and a little gas. To me it seems like I have an excess of oil and not too much gas. While I am cranking it over, you can sometimes see black oil droplets floating in the water. I push in the primer on the keyswitch, squeeze the primer bulb and have tried starting it in neutral, in speed idle at 1/4, 1/2 and full open. Still nothing different. I also checked the safety lanyard to make sure my 2 year old didn't play with it. Still nothing. Could it be the VRO? I had a dealer service man tell me it is the VRO. But couldn't fix the problem. I'm not convinced. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frustrated in San Antonio

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Did you check the fuel primer solenoid to make sure it is still functioning properly? It should pump fuel when the key switch is pushed in.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

when it does this have you checked spark on each plug. also check compression. when was the last time the impeller and tsats were changed, could be heating up.

 

[cwlandefeld]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Did you check the fuel primer solenoid to make sure it is still functioning properly? It should pump fuel when the key switch is pushed in.

Careful here. I have a 1997 Evinrude Ocean Pro 150. I too thought that when the key switch was pushed in that the pump should pump fuel into the carbs. Always had a hard time starting using this method. Called a local Evinrude this past March about replacing mine since it was so hard to start. Too much $$$$'s to replace. Any how I asked him why my engine was so hard to start. He asked me how I was starting it. When I mentioned I push the key in before cranking to choke it he told me that was the problem. Yes, the key needs to be pushed in but only when the engine is cranking. It works off the vacuum of the engine. It is not a pump as I thought. Starts first time everytime now.

 

[cwlandefeld]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Another thought. This comes from my limited experience. Even after learning how to start my engine (previous thread above) I've still had a problem or two. The culprit has been a dirty fuel filter. I have one of those glass see through with the replaceable filter element. It's nice because I can tell when it's dirty. I know that I have a dirty fuel tank but that is another problem. It's good too because it's a lot easier to get to than the filter element at the fuel pump. Something else to consider. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Elgringo10]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Last time out was November, I filled the tank up with gas and then put it in storage. I am beginning to think the fuel might be bad as it has set for a few months. And shame on me for not preparing it for the storage. I'll check the fuel filter. Any tips on draining a gas tank, or is there any kind of treatment I can do to the tank?

 

[Elgringo10]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Well I've taken it to a dealer for evaluation. They have come back with bad power packs. Cost for parts and labor around 500.00 to repair. Are there 2 on the motor? How difficult is is to change them out? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[cwlandefeld]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Well I've taken it to a dealer for evaluation. They have come back with bad power packs. Cost for parts and labor around 500.00 to repair. Are there 2 on the motor? How difficult is is to change them out? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

If it's like my '97 Evinrude 150 there's only one. I had to have mine replaced last year. Total $661.35. I probably could have done it myself but never having done it and the fear of being stranded (by my doing the work) I let the shop do it. When mine went out the engine would not even start.

 

[Rich976usaf]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

i would like to chime in here. I have read alot of these threads and worked on a few motors. I know that when the motor is hot after running around and then letting it sit. The fuel in the carb bowl has time to vaporise and in combination of primimg the motor. You end up flooding the motor ( check for wet plugs at this point. All you shuld do is squeez the primer bulb and turn the key. Do not prime a hot motor, all the priming with the key and solenoid valve it to provide a form of chock for the cold engine.
To speak about the power packs. They are the black boxes that the spark plug conn to. Easy change, three wires and to screaws on each. You need a manual. Should be an easy check with an ohm meter.

 

[munrose]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Had the same problem and yes it is the VRO pump. The dealer quoted an unrealistic price to change the VRO pump. The motor had all the symptoms as quoted. The carbys were almost full of oil with very little fuel. When I managed to start it after draining the carbys it was ok until the next start after a period of no use. The dealer said that the VRO pumps were prone to developing hairline cracks in the pump sleeve. I overcame the problem by installing a turn off tap in the oil line. I turn the oil tap off after each days run. No problems at all since. The important thing to remember is to TURN THE TAP ON before starting. I have a red tag on my key to remind me of this very important thing to do. A cheap alternative to replacing the VRO pump.

I have 175 hours on the motor, it has ran well over the years. Recently, I have had trouble with the motor restarting after an initial run. The engine emits a thick white smoke when it initially starts. It will run after clearing it out. No real apparent problems. After shutting it down, it won't start. I can turn it over until the battery goes dead. I can take off the air intake cover to the 6 cylinders and there is oil and a little gas. To me it seems like I have an excess of oil and not too much gas. While I am cranking it over, you can sometimes see black oil droplets floating in the water. I push in the primer on the keyswitch, squeeze the primer bulb and have tried starting it in neutral, in speed idle at 1/4, 1/2 and full open. Still nothing different. I also checked the safety lanyard to make sure my 2 year old didn't play with it. Still nothing. Could it be the VRO? I had a dealer service man tell me it is the VRO. But couldn't fix the problem. I'm not convinced. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frustrated in San Antonio

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

munrose, also if you tank is higher than the carbs, the oil will siphon down to the carbs and fill them. i disabled my OMS pump, on my pontoon boat, because of this.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

iBoats very likely has the powr pack parts for less then $200, I think mine was $150.
20 minutes to clean all contact areas and swap out.

Hopefully the dealer actually diagnosed it.

 

[needhelp22]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

munrose, also if you tank is higher than the carbs, the oil will siphon down to the carbs and fill them. i disabled my OMS pump, on my pontoon boat, because of this.

My tank is higher than the carbs on my pontoon boat as well. There has been oil in the carbs and all over the plugs for over a year and your thread just gave me the problem. There is oil all over the breather and in the "Bilge."

I'm guessing a decarb will not solve my problem. What should I do? The 2002 90hp Johnson has been spuddering and stalling out. I'm guessing this is the reason why. I'm new to outboards so talk down to me so I can understand.

 

[jwbmarine]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

-------- the PRIMER..does NOT wk off VACUUM...................
it wks off,of fuel pump pressure,that is its supply..............
it is nothing but a solenoid valve.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 HP outboard-hard starting

Needhelp22, please start your own thread so that others dont get confused here as to the original question at hand. This thread is getting confusing on its own,

ElGringo10, there are a variety of possiblilities to your hard start. I would start by following Tashasdaddy's advice by checking your spark and compression while starting and then going from there. If in fact you have no spark, one of the possibilites COULD be the powerpacks. Lets take it one step at a time here though.


If you do plan on doing your own work, I would seriously advise that your purchase an OEM Service Manual. It WILL pay for itself a million times over, and will become your best friend during these troubleshooting scenarios.