Float Settings / Carb Settings 1998 225 Venom

[Sheave]

Hey y'all,
Thanks for any help in advance.

I bought a 1999 Sprint F/S 207 w/ a 1998 225 Johnson Venom a couple of months ago. Shortly after I bought it I started having trouble taking off. The Motor would bog down when I was trying to take off quickly ie pulling a tube/skier. I would have to give a little throttle back off, then some more throttle then back off then I could go full throttle. Also, associtated w/ this was a rough idle after the engine warmed up then was turned off for a few minutes. The problem has continued to get worse to the point the motor floods and won't even start. First start it will bust right off idle up then idle down, down, down until it quits. If I can keep it running long enough to get it up to full throttle is runs like a bat out of H**l.

I pulled the induction manifold and noticed fuel was running all over the place. The induction manifold is just coated w/ gas and oil on the inside. I've put new plugs in it; but I still need to adjust the carbs.

Motor is a 1998 225 Johnson Venom. Model# J225STLECS Serial: G 04510224
Carbs were made in Mexico 3/26/1998 #439510 <- this # is from a sticker on the carb.. turns out it's different on 3 of the carbs.

What are the adjustment settings on the floats. Can they become saturated? How much should they weigh? Mine weigh .2 oz.

Also where should the indicator be placed for the automatic/electric choke? The indicator on the valve stem will point from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock in a clockwise motion.

Any other ideas on what is causing this flooding would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

[Mntom]

Re: Float Settings / Carb Settings 1998 225 Venom

My first thought is to put new kits in the carbs. Then turn the float chamber (with the float and needle valve installed) upside down and get the float to be parallel with the body. Just make sure everything else is clean and reassemble. You may have a needle valve leaking and flooding the cylinder.

 

[Sheave]

Re: Float Settings / Carb Settings 1998 225 Venom

Thanks MnTom.

However, I'm still having issues; but I found the Mdl/Ser: Model# J225STLECS Serial: G 04510224


What I have done:
1. New plugs : NGK R gapped to .030
2. Pulled all the floats and leveled them even. Turn upside down and cannot blow through needle valve.

What's still going on:
1. I can flood this motor by squeezing the bulb 3X. Oddly, the fuel runs out of the throttle plate where the throttle bar goes through the plate instead of the weep holes. Motor can be hard to start at times if I squeeze the bulb to much.

2. The biggest issue is loss of power after the engine warms up. Allow me to explain. I can run across the lake to my first fishing hole. Turn the motor off and fish for a while. Then I fire the motor up w/o problems. Then, when I engage the throttle to take off, if I give it to much throttle it will die. Start it back up. Give it a little throttle at a time it will finally go. But just the slightest to much throttle and it will die unless I can get it back to neutral real quick like. Also, trying to push the boat on the trailer is futile. The engine will just die. I have to use the winch to pull it onto the trailer.

3. Another thing I noticed is the Induction manifold is becoming soaked w/ gas/oil mixture on the inside. I cleaned it up real good but it quickly became soaked again.

4. All of the new plugs seem to have the same color ( a coco brown color).

Could I have a power pack issue? I'm guessing this motor has six(One for each cylinder) each wire going to the corresponding plug.

 

[Sheave]

Re: Float Settings / Carb Settings 1998 225 Venom

Well the flooding is fixed.

But still the same hesitation trying to get it going. I give it throttle and it almost dies. I have to just keep messing w/ it. Give it a little throttle. then a little more. Most of the time it just dies. Pumping the bulb primer seems to help now. In fact if I don't the motor won't get above "No Wake" speeds. Finally, It will get past that certain spot or something and it will take off. Run's like a bat outta hell once I get going. If I keep it going I'm fine. But, if I slow down and idle around for a couple of minutes, or stop to fish, the entire process starts over again. And by process, I mean the boat may die 10 or 20 times before I can get it going strong again.

Now I'm suspecting the fuel pump? Any ideas?

After reading another post, I thought I might add that I have been running Lucas gas treatment. Could this be causing any problems?