71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

[crosley99]

hi,<br /><br />after running 30 or so gallons of fuel through this engine, i have a few problems. first-- the low speed idle has never been good. it seems to have gotten worse as i have run the engine. i found very excellent directions for the adjustment from Mr. Reeves, but when i went to make the adjustment, it seems as if the carbs have been replaced with a different models. the low speed jets are on the side of the carb instead of in the front of the carbs (as you look at them with the silencer off)... anyway..... now the engine will not start. the engine would always crank right over and start. now it just cranks and cranks..... it will not turn over.<br /><br />then engine has always run perfectly at higher rpms. <br /><br />a gentleman had what seemed to be the very same problem on this board a couple of years back and he finally took the flywheel off... cleanded and regapped his points. fixed his problem. <br /><br />very frustrating<br /><br />crosley

 

[JB]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Hi, Crosley.<br /><br />Do you have a hot spark on all cylinders?<br /><br />What happens if you squirt some fuel mix into the carbs before trying to start?<br /><br />Let us know. <br /><br />EEK! I just noticed that this is post number 7,000 for me. Holy Cow!!

 

[crosley99]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

thanks for the response jb.<br /><br />i'll check on both. boat had difficulty starting yesterday. finally did. ran great at mid and high ranges. no misses.<br /><br />went to make the low speed adjustments as per joe reeves and could not get it to start. just crank and crank. read also somewhere that a starter no putting out enough crank will cause the engine to flood.<br /><br />i'll get back to you.<br /><br />crosley

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Crosley.... Are you saying that you have carburetors with adjustable slow speed needle valves that are located on the side of the carburetors?????<br /><br />The later models had fixed s/s jets on the rear side of the upper carb body, just above the float chamber.... but I've never seen one with side mounted adjustable needle valves.

 

[crosley99]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

hi joe,<br /><br />yes, the ports that should be holding the adjustment needle as you face the front of the carbs have a simply a screw (plug) in them. the jets are behind a screw on the side of the carbs. i have a factory manual and as you have said in previous posts it also says the needle should be in the "face" of the carb.<br /><br />there is a number on the carb and it does not mach the OEM number in my manual and part list. the port and valve on the side are however on the same "parallel" as the "face" side port and screw.<br /><br />i'll get the carb number off the engine in the next couple of days.<br /><br />in addition... i've don a bit of research and have found that if my battery is not pushing the full voltage the engine will not start. is this the case? what does the coil do exactly?<br /><br />thanks again for your time. jb and joe

 

[crosley99]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

joe,<br /><br />re-read your post. i'm not sure that the jets on the side are adjustable needle type jets. they are a jet that sit behind a screw. they do not look like the low speed jets in my shop manual for my engine. they are seated all the way in.<br /><br />also in your directions for adjustment you speak of the "red retainer" for the jets. you can see the distinct outline where these retainers should sit but none is present. only a screw seated all the way in.<br /><br />thanks again,<br /><br />crosley

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Crosley... Yes, from what you've said, all of the jets on those carbs are fixed jets.<br /><br />What's the model number of that engine?

 

[Franco]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Joe,<br /><br />I'm helping Crosley work on this engine... <br />Here's the info:<br /><br />Model Number : 125 ESL 71C<br />Serial Number : J3516179<br /><br />Carb Part Number: 317470-D2 (same on both) <br /><br />As you stated, the jets are on the rear side of the upper carb body, just above the float chamber.<br />If the jets are fixed, which it appears to be, how is the low speed idle adjusted?<br /><br />Thanks<br />Frank

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Frank.... Those fixed jets are not adjustable. One can only replace them in decreased or increased sizes. However, if one is sure that a jet is causing a cylinder to run lean at idle, one can carefully enlarge the opening of the jet with a drill bit that is graduated in thousands. Keep in mind that enlarging a jet by a couple thousands makes quite a difference.<br /><br />The jets have the size marked on them.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

is that the in line four barrel beast of a carb OMC put out for a bit?<br /><br />Wow JB, SEVEN THOUSAND posts ... <br /><br />thats gotta be a record, lol (course, half of em are from yellin at me, hehehe) <br /><br />Those ignition systems need super hot batteries to make em work right, make sure yours is up to snuff, I think 850 CCA was the min acceptable capacity ... this is one area where bigger is better, save weight someplace else if you have to, I like the idea of a very large electrical tank, dont want it to get anywhere near Empty ... <br /><br />I like dual batteries as a matter of fact, I hate to row and there is always the option of coming in on the trolling motor ... may take til the next day, but nice to know there are a dozen hours on tap even if it is "just" to keep a seaway in a storm with main power offline, since ya never know, you might as well be ready for it!

 

[Franco]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Hey Guys,<br /><br />Thanks for the help. The battery was low. I recharged it and will give it a try today. I think from reading CastawayRay's post that it's too small for this ignition system (650 CCA)? We have had some problems with the battery needing charged before. Maybe a 850+ CCA is necessary. <br />Joe, you mentioned that if one is sure that a jet is causing a cylinder to run lean at idle I could replace with a larger jet. What else would cause the cylinder to run lean at idle? And how should I verify that? Squirt fuel in the carbs? I suppose I could get a variety of larger jets and see if that helps. I'm reluctant to drill them out unless I have backups. It may not matter, but this engine seems to run very good at high rpm. Very smooth.<br />I'm tinkering around with it today.<br />Thanks

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Have the carb face plate off and the engine running at an idle. Stick two fingers in the carburetor throats, one throat at a time. If that causes the rpms to increase on any particular throat, the related cylinder is running lean which would indicate either a clogged slow speed jet, or a improper slow speed size jet.

 

[Franco]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

Installed the biggest battery WallyWorld sells...850Marine Amps-675CCA. She started up and ran better than it ever has! I guess the battery does make a huge difference with this type of ignition? Oh yeah, it idled at low speed without problems either? Not sure how a new battery would effect that, but I'm not complaining. So, my question is do I still need a bigger battery? The biggest we could find locally was at WallyWorld. Sears had a similar one, but no bigger, nor any of the auto parts places. West has a SeaGel CCA 1050 for...gulp $400. I'm thinking just make sure the battery is always fully charged.

 

[trumpetbucks]

Re: 71 johnson 125 won't start (joe reeves and jb help please)

I don't think you would need to go higher than 850 CCA, but that "always make sure it's fully charged" idea is right on the money $$$$$$$!!!!