borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

new2obrepair

Seaman Apprentice
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May 16, 2004
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35
OK guys, I borrowed a friends ob while mine was in shop, we loade4d it in my ford ranger cab, standing it as high as it could go. Besides the obvious fuel leaks which I've already fixed during my attempted fishing trip! What else could be the problem? I did find an oil spot on my seat, but I could not find the source on the motor. Mainly because I did not see it before the fuel leaks washed all the evidence away! Any ideas out there?????? Friend said it ran fine 2 days ago! not even a sputter for me:(
 

new2obrepair

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May 16, 2004
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35
Re: borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

nope, checked out ok, also checked ignition. will pull plugs tomorrow. I read in Yamaha manual that laying a 4 stroke on it's side will cause this. Oil seeps through cylinders, fouls plugs, leakes into air intake, etc... anyone know if this is true ro johnson's?
 

highvoltage

Cadet
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May 19, 2004
Messages
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Re: borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

If its a few years old...I would say it's possible...or high milege...
 

new2obrepair

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May 16, 2004
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Re: borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

I pulled the spark plugs, cleaned them, checked for spark, getting nothing, I suspect the kill switch may actually be bad as a previous poster suggested. <br />The model # is J15FREDR.<br />I do not want to go out and buy a manual for a motor I do not own, can anyone give me the wires and checks I can make to verify a bad kill switch?
 

BF

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Apr 8, 2003
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1,489
Re: borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

did you ground the outside of the plugs when you checked for spark? (lay them beside the spark plug hole, or a bare bolt?) <br /><br />does this model have some kind of ignition killing switch to prevent it from starting in gear? that'd be another thing to check if there really isn't any spark
 

new2obrepair

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May 16, 2004
Messages
35
Re: borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

yes I grounded the plug, I do not know much about this motor, it is not mine! But I am very capapble as far as being a backyard mechanic. I do not have much exp on outbaoards. Rebuilding automobile engines and transmissions should qualify me as far as checking the simple stuff. I want to know what wires to check where for each connection, a wiring diagram would be ideal. But please, I checked the simple stuff. I just do not want to break into any lines if it can be helped. Leave it factory new if possible!
 

JB

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Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: borrowed Johnson 15hp 4 stroke will not start

Any 4 stroke must be laid to protect the rest of the engine from oil intrusion from the crankcase, Bruce. Like your friend's Yammy.<br /><br />My guess is that you didn't lay it down right. Where the oil went I can't guess, but I would start by cleaning the plugs.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 
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