Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

bbabbs

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Mar 4, 2011
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My 96 Ranger with 96 Johnson 150 will start, run for a few minutes and then shut down. Fuel bulb collaspes. I've put new fuel bulb, new fuel lines from dual tanks to manual tank switch, new lines from switch to new fuel filter and new to bulb. Bulb doesn't feel as it is pumped up enough. I also put new check valves on both tanks. Tank vent holes are open as pressure can be applied to fuel tanks and the air is heard venting. I plumbed around filter and problem persisted. What next to check?
 

boobie

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Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

Normally when a fuel bulb collaspes it is a fuel restriction on the tank side of the bulb. Start looking on that side of the bulb again. Do you have the bulb installed correctly with the arrows in the right direction ?
 

bbabbs

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Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

I installed it like to old one, arrow toward engine. I've replaced or check all componets to the check valves. I'm going to place my fuel line directly to each individual tank tomorrow and pump bulb to see what happens.
 

kenmyfam

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Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

OK, are the tanks portable or built in ???
If built in then I would try hooking it up to a portable tank and see if the issue goes away.
Tell us more about the manual tank switch as well.
 

Faztbullet

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15,906
Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

I had same problem with a Ranger pro boat last year(520series). The boat fuel lines had degraded internally and chunks of rubber had selector switch nipples clogged. When you pumped bulb it was slow to refill...

opti 011.jpg
 

bbabbs

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Mar 4, 2011
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Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

Tanks are built in. I removed brass selector switch. Blew air through each barb while switching selector. Worked as it should. Boat was worked on prior to my purchase at Roland Martin Marina due to engine running out of fuel and shutting off. Same problem as I'm having. Here is what they did: Installed new water pump, new fuel bracket, new float assy, new seal, new fuel filter, removed and flushed carbs, installed new carb kits, installed new aerator pump, starboard fuel tank pickup was eaten away and new one installed. I called them this morning to speak to technican who worked on the boat. Awaiting response.
 

bbabbs

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Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

How do you remove fuel pickup tube from the tank. It has a jam nut on top. Do you have to remove fuel sensor to pull it out from bottom then out through the fuel sensor opening?
 

snowseeker

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Nov 1, 2004
Messages
93
Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

I think your on the right track, check the screens on the end of the hoses inside the tanks. Also check to make sure the hos inside the tanks isn't collapsing on itself.
 

kenmyfam

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Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

bbabs, try a portable tank just to see if you are at the right end of the issue. If the portable tank gives you the same issue then you could be barking up the wrong tree so to speak. it will prove one way or the other if the tanks are the issue at least.
Just my 2 cents though.
 

jonesg

Admiral
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Feb 22, 2008
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7,198
Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

My 96 Ranger with 96 Johnson 150 will start, run for a few minutes and then shut down. Fuel bulb collaspes. I've put new fuel bulb, new fuel lines from dual tanks to manual tank switch, new lines from switch to new fuel filter and new to bulb. Bulb doesn't feel as it is pumped up enough. I also put new check valves on both tanks. Tank vent holes are open as pressure can be applied to fuel tanks and the air is heard venting. I plumbed around filter and problem persisted. What next to check?


Those check valves are notorious for getting stuck or clogged, the techs here advise knocking the ball out and running it as a straight feed tube. The fuel bulb is a checkvalve, thats all you need.
But do install a water seperator.

You blow into the feed tube and the clog drops down the pickup tube and seems clear, but when you run the engine the clog gets sucked up to the check valve again and the engine leans out. Fun, ain't it? :)
 

bbabbs

Cadet
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
7
Re: Help with 1996 Johnson engine fuel problem?

Ok Here's an update. We isolated each componet and found that one of the new fuel lines I just put on yesterday was twisted, not kinked, going through the control cable opening just before the fuel bulb. Once we fixed it, we were able to pump bulb full of fuel, imagine that. Anticipate putting it back together Monday, as I am reluctant to work on it Sunday due to the high probability of using four letter words while working on it, You all know what I mean. Why does working on a "recreation project" and trying to load livestock make a Christian speak such words?
 
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