cold motor

[strandedpontoon]

I bought a pontoon with a 1987 90hp Johnson outboard motor on it. The motor seems to be really cold natured. It takes several times before it will crank and then once cranked, I have to let it idle at high rpms (then slowly decreasing rpms, let it run, then decrease, let it run, before finally letting it idle at it's normal rpm -taking 20 minutes for this process). Then I can put it in gear, of course then it sometimes cuts off. I'm thinking of changing the spark plugs and the fuel filter. Could this be a carburetor problem?

 

[DJ]

Re: cold motor

First determine if it is indeed running cold. Once warmed up, the heads should be warm to the touch, yet not scalding. About 145 dergees.<br /><br />If it is running cold, service the the thermostats and poppet valves in the cooling system.<br /><br />Use this starting procedure.<br /><br />1. Pump up the fuel primer bulb.<br /><br />2. Turn the ignition to ON-NOT START.<br /><br />3. Push the key in and count to eight.<br /><br />4. Release the key and start the engine.<br /><br />5. Bump the key in to add prime if it wants to stall.

 

[Solittle]

Re: cold motor

Check to make sure that your primer is working. If it is not working when you push in the key, turn the small red lever on the primer 90 degrees (manual operation) and try again.<br /><br />If it runs OK I would not mess with the carb. Changing plugs & fuel filter is a good idea even if the other stuff solves the problem. Same with the t-stat & poppets.

 

[strandedpontoon]

Re: cold motor

Pushing in the key and waiting seems to make it start after it's been sitting a couple of hours, but if I run the motor for 30 minutes and then put it into gear, the engine cuts off. Can smell gas. The only solution seems to be to disconnect the gas line to the motor, remove the engine cover, and rev the throttle until it starts.

 

[Solittle]

Re: cold motor

Did you follow DJ's advice?