'95 40hp Johnson won't start

[Slasher McGurkin]

I know absolutely nothing about motors but maybe someone can help anyway. I just got a boat but I can't get it to start. It's a very clean motor but it won't do anything except turn over. I pump the bulb, raise the lever to the right of the throttle and turn the key and it turns over good but nothing else. After a minute, gas floats up from underneath. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[offshore100]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

Check your emergency cutoff switch.

 

[Slasher McGurkin]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

Well, maybe I do know a little after all, lol. Yeah, it's got the clasp on it that keeps it up. Is that what you're talking about?

 

[offshore100]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

yep. Is it connected properly?

 

[Slasher McGurkin]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

yes. It's been sitting up for a little while but I know it ran well the last it was ran a few months ago. Would it help to clean the carbs and if so, is it easy?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

starting procedure, pump bulb till hard, fast idle lever all the way up, turn key to on, push in on key for an 8 count, release key and turn to start. pushing the key in activates the primer solenoid on the motor to let gas directly into the intake manifold, the same effect as a choke. you also must have a fully charged battery, as the motor has to turn +- 300 rpms to start.

 

[Slasher McGurkin]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

starting procedure, pump bulb till hard, fast idle lever all the way up, turn key to on, push in on key for an 8 count, release key and turn to start. pushing the key in activates the primer solenoid on the motor to let gas directly into the intake manifold, the same effect as a choke. you also must have a fully charged battery, as the motor has to turn +- 300 rpms to start.

I've done all that except I pushed the key in while cranking it instead of holding for the eight count. Would that make much of a difference. Sound's like I'll have bite the bullet and spend a few bucks for someone who knows what they're doing to look at it.

 

[offshore100]

Re: '95 40hp Johnson won't start

Make sure you have spark. Take out your plugs and while in their boots hold them against the engine block, crank the motor, look for spark.
ps. I believe pushing key in while cranking is the correct method, as it's the piston vacuum that pulls the fuel in through the primer valve.