My poor li'l 1975 115 Johnson played submarine in June. As soon as I got it back on the trailer, I pumped ATF through the carbs and cranked till it sprayed clean red out the spark plug holes, so the bearings are ok. Had to replace some electrical parts, but got it started. A week later it wouldn't start. Removed flywheel and cleaned & lubed the timer base, which was seized. Still wouldn't start, so I rebuilt the fuel pump and carbs. STILL wouldn't start.
I had noticed that the primer bulb didn't work well. I have it positioned nearer to the engine than the built-in tank, because it's hard to access otherwise. I thought that might have been the problem, trying to draw the fuel up too far, so I didn't pay enough attention to it.
Then on Saturday I disconected from the tank, removed the connector from the hose, and poked the hose into the filler neck. Result: primer works great, engine starts instantly and runs like a top!
So the problem appears to be corrosion on the tank fitting (easily fixed), and I should have paid more attention to the primer not working. No regrets on the work I did - there was some dirt in the carbs, and the fuel pump diaphragm was pretty tired looking, and of course the corroded timer base bushing wasn't going to make for a happy engine.
Can't wait to put the boat back on the water! (I don't say "in the water" anymore)
I had noticed that the primer bulb didn't work well. I have it positioned nearer to the engine than the built-in tank, because it's hard to access otherwise. I thought that might have been the problem, trying to draw the fuel up too far, so I didn't pay enough attention to it.
Then on Saturday I disconected from the tank, removed the connector from the hose, and poked the hose into the filler neck. Result: primer works great, engine starts instantly and runs like a top!
So the problem appears to be corrosion on the tank fitting (easily fixed), and I should have paid more attention to the primer not working. No regrets on the work I did - there was some dirt in the carbs, and the fuel pump diaphragm was pretty tired looking, and of course the corroded timer base bushing wasn't going to make for a happy engine.
Can't wait to put the boat back on the water! (I don't say "in the water" anymore)
