Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

[Ajshep]

I left my 15hp johnny laying on it's side for the winter do any harm to it? It's always started 3-5 pulls even after sitting for 3-4 months. Pulled it out yesterday and it wouldn't start. Checked the fuel pump, filter, and carb and all is clean and shiney and getting gas. It's seems to be getting good spark but the plugs keep coming out fouled with oil and or gas. Did being on it's side cause the fluids to go where shouldn't be. Anyone have an idea or suggestion? It would be much appreciated.

 

[Crosbyman]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

won't start and... plugs fouling up ??
are you using fresh gas ?

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Did you check the float in the carb may be stuck in open position.

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Yes fresh non ethanol gas. A few years ago. I spent alot of money getting this motor fixed after bad gas got it. I have poured alot of gas out since then just because I won't risk it. I am not that big on turning wrenches. I can do a little bit but I don't know much more then the basics, is it sparking and getting gas. fuel pump is pumping filter is clean carb I took off it's getting gas and seems clean, shiney and looks new still from the work done a few years ago. While trying to start it coughed a couple times like it was trying. I'm unemployed at the time so bringing into repair shop is out of the question but I do have plenty of time on my hands to attempt to fix it as long a not much money is envolved.

 

[kbait]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

2 or 4 stroke?

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Its a 1980 Johnson 15hp 2stroke

 

[Scurvy Knave]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

if it's two stroke then storing on its side shouldn't be a problem in terms of oil leaking in where it shouldn't.

When you stored, did you leave gas in the carb? might have some jets plugged.

also if you fogged it before putting it away, it might be hard to start the first time until it burns off all the oil.

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

I didn't fog it I pulled the carb off took the bowl off, the float looked good and seemed to be working wright. I didn't take out the jets was afraid of getting in over my head. Are they hard to pull out and put back in. And do I need to buy new packing or seals if there removed. I got no problem trying them but I have no money to buy new parts. How hard to adjust them after putting back in?

 

[Scurvy Knave]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

well if you didn't fog it and the plugs are coming out oily then you might be flooding it. How many pulls before it started to cough?

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

I was doing alot of pulling several pulls then I'd check the plugs clean them up give it a few more pulls without the plugs to try and clear it then put plugs back and tried agin. A couple times I tried a quick squirt of starter fluid. I was told you don't wanna use starter fluid on a boat motor once so I used very little. Repeated the pulling on the starter and removing the plugs for a good hour till I was exhausted. The couple coughs weren't much probally more wishful thinking. Is there a different technique I should been doin to try to start?

 

[Scurvy Knave]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

sounds like an electrical problem.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Don't get insulted, but you're sure the plugs are gapped correctly and are sparking nice and bright when you pull the starter cord?

 

[Scurvy Knave]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Don't get insulted, but you're sure the plugs are gapped correctly and are sparking nice and bright when you pull the starter cord?

I was thinking along the same line. Just because the plugs spark outside the cylinder doesn't mean they spark hot enough to light a compressed mixture of fuel and air.

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

No offense taking Sun was shining bright made hard to see so I was kinda shielding with my hat and hand they ignited the starting fluid I had sprayed in there flames shot out about a foot burnt my mustache a bit u never realy seen the spark through the flames but had to be sparking don't know the quality of it however. Plugs don't got much time in them and tapped at .030

 

[popsmazz1]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

I would pull the flywheel and make sure the key is not sheared or bent, being a 1980 you could have a bad spark module. pull the plugs and hook up a spark tester to the wires, see what you get.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Ajshep, Here is a link to the manual for your engine:

Boatinfo - 1971-1989 Evinrude Service manual

I looked but couldn't find what the proper gap should be but if it ran fine last year and you didn't drop the plugs than it shouldn't have changed. You're getting fuel back to the cylinders and you didn't say you smelled like it was flooding out or that gas was coming out the front of the carb so that leads me to think it's spark related as stated in post #15. If what popsmazz1 suggested is above your skill set i would try taking the plugs out of the plug caps and making sure you have a good connection there (no rust or corrosion, if so then clean) and if that doesn't work try 2 new plugs. If what popsmazz1 suggested is within your skill set (I know money is major issue) than you might try seeing if your local Autozone auto parts store or equivilent will let you borrow the puller and tester or buy them with the agreement to return them after you use them. Up here they let us do that all the time.

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Thanx for the link tAzrig and all the other advice everyone hopefully it gets me goin in the right direction

 

[tazrig]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Your welcome, and don't forget to post back and let us know how you make out.

 

[Ajshep]

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

Broke the spring on the pull starter so don't think I'm gonna get it fixed for a while now. I have another motor its a 25hp boat is rated for 18hp just a bit bulky and pain in butt getting on and off the trailer at a some of the places I put in at. Hope to find some cash soon so I can get back to the 15 I'll let you know how it goes when I do thanks for all the help agin

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Did storing motor horizontally hurt it?

although it doesn't sound like it in your case, storing them horizontally--the worst being spark plugs down--can lock up a motor. Always store them standing up. You can transport them horizontally.