91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

[mattb4rd]

This morning I found myself on the river with an outboard that wouldn't start. Thankfully both batteries were fully charged and we were able to use the trolling motor to get back to the ramp.

It backfired when I tried to start it then it would barely turn over. In fact it just didn't "sound right".

I used cables to attach the trolling motor battery to the starter battery to rule out a weakness there. I removed the cowl and noticed that the starter was stuck with the shaft out (sprocket enganged). I was able to work that lose by hand but now the starter just spins.

Bad starter or jumped timing? Both? I've got a message in with my mechanic and will likely be towing it to him today.

MB

 

[Tadd_P]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

get yourselfa rope and try pull starting it. With earmuffs in the driveway it will start easier than in the water. If it starts then the timing is fine. That starter sounds faulty though

 

[ezeke]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

Your flywheel may not have been torqued to specs. I would check that first.

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

get yourselfa rope and try pull starting it. With earmuffs in the driveway it will start easier than in the water. If it starts then the timing is fine. That starter sounds faulty though

Ok ... I will go try that after lunch. I did try to rope start it in the water, but I couldn't get enough momentum to get it turning fast enough.

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

UPDATE:

I tried starting it with a rope but just couldn't spin it hard enough to make it happen. On a whim I took the spark plugs out and she spun like a top on the starter.

So .. I lubricated the bendix on the starter, put the plugs back in, and she fired right up. I did it several times just because it sounded so good.

It's on the charger right now. My best guess is that the battery was a bit weak and that and the sticky starter were the source of my problem.

I put a small can of WD40 in the boat glove box.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

That problem was a no-brainer. Looks like you no-brained it into submission.

Glad you got it fixed.

Mark

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

That problem was a no-brainer. Looks like you no-brained it into submission.

Glad you got it fixed.

Mark

Yeah me too. We're going back out tomorrow with high hopes for some monster black bass.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 91 Johnson 120 Jumped Timing?

It's possible that you broke the key in the flywheel. If so, the timing will be off and may not run.