I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

[Caenus]

My wife bought herself an older bass boat this summer (Winner ZZ880) and it came with a 1985 Johnson GT 150. Previous owner said the motor has never given him a pause when it comes to starting and running. He essentially sold us the motor and boat came along with it...anyway, he started it up for us, it ran fine just like he said. He showed us both how to start it, great. We took it out and dropped it into the lake...nothing. Just turned over and over and over.

I primed it, lifted the idle lever, turned the key to the first position, pushed it in, counted to 5 and then turned the key all the way. Didn't start. After 20 minutes of trying to start the motor, we gave up and trolled back in.

I took the boat to Lloyd's Marine in Mesa here, which has been a factory authorized repair center for 30 something years. The tech said it started up first try for him. He recharged the battery for me, then I hit the lake that weekend.

Same problem. I called the tech, he explained/confirmed how to start it and no luck for me. The last 3 times I've been to the lake I've tried to start it and it won't start. I checked and it has a 1/2 tank of gas. I followed the fuel line all the way from the tank to the engine and it is not kinked. I even put a higher CCA battery in it (700). Still no luck.

Is there something I am doing wrong?

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

It sure sounds like you are overlooking something. I'd see if the mechanic or the previous owner can go out with you and see what you are doing wrong. Expect to pay the mechanic for his time, even if he doesn't fix anything. If it is your regular shop and they know you well, you may be able to drag it over and have them help you crank it up on the muffs.

It is a little bit of an art to starting some engines.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Counting to 5 while holding the key in is not enough prime. You need to squeeze the primer bulb until it is firm. Then turn the key to RUN, push it in and count to 10. Raise the fast idle lever about 1/2 way and turn the key to START. If the engine doesn't fire in just a couple seconds, push the key in WHILE CRANKING. So many folks have trouble starting a carbureted engine and it is simply because it is not getting enough fuel. Two strokes need lots of choke/prime. When the engine starts, lower the fast idle level to 1200 rpm or so for a bit and then lower it fully. If during warm up the engine tends to slow and stall be ready to push the key in quickly to give it a bit of prime. Don't wait until it quits. You can tell when it starts to die. Bump the key to keep it going.

 

[will62]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Man, that has to be frustrating. I agree with Jim that it may be worth it to pay the mechanic to spend some time with you, going over the starting, and any other operational aspects of the boat that you are not familiar with. Until then, you should get you a set of muffs ($13 @ Academy), and check out the boat at your home to avoid the wasted trips to the lake.

Ideas...
Try reading the FAQs cold starting procedures to see if you are skipping anything:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225510

Is it possible that there is a secondary kill switch (i.e. safety lanyard kill switch), that you did not notice the P.O. activating?If unmarked, the switch may have a black/yellow and a black wire running to it.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

[swheeler]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

I typically hold the key in for 10 seconds to start my 130 hp, anything less makes startling difficult for me. The REAL story here is that your wife bought herself a boat!!!!! You married well my friend! Great having a wife that shares the passion.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Pushing in the key to activate the primer solenoid is required to flow enough fuel to cold start the engine. Follow Silvertips suggestion. Likely you are not pushing in on the key long enough. If you are still unable to start the engine, pull one or two spark plugs out and see if they are wet or dry. That should tell you something.

 

[IslandManMitch]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

I'm with will62; Check kill/safety switch.

 

[Caenus]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Thanks for the ideas. There is a kill switch that was originally designed to be attached to a lanyard, but the lanyard has long since been removed and the kill switch permanently closed.

I will try holding the key in longer, and I did not know you could push it in while starting as well! Thanks!

I'll try the muffs in the driveway to see if I can get it to go after the new year.

swheeler: My wife loves fishing, hunting, etc. she grew up in Texas and I grew up in AZ fishing. I was a little surprised when I started dating this cute little, shy nurse and she showed off her .357 hunting pistol complete w/scope followed by her inherited grandmas sporterized Springfield '03 (wife is 5'2" and 115)! Her collection of creature lures is pretty impressive too!

I just wish she would have gone with a newer boat since I get to fix the dang thing all the time!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

One last thing. Unless the fuel system is fully pressurinzed using the primer bulb, pushing the key in and counting to 10 does nothing. The primer solenoid does not pump fuel into the engine -- it is simply a valve that opens to allow pressurized fuel to flow into the intake. You don't have to use that method at all if you don't or can't get the hang of it. Instead, hold the key in while cranking. The very same thing happens. The count to 10 method just gets the fuel into the engine a tad quicker. Either method requires that the primer bulb be firmed up for quick starts. And use that fast idle lever. It's there for a reason If you flood the engine, raise that lever full up and DO NOT push in on the key..

 

[Caenus]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

It looks like I might be flooding it. I have it hooked up to a hose. I primed it, tried to start it by holding the key in for 10, then turned it. It turned over but didn't start so I pushed the key in while it was turned. Still no start. I am going to let it sit for a while, reprime if necessary and try it again. If that doesn't work I'll try banging my head against the garage wall.

 

[dazk14]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Exactly how long was the motor cranking (key turned fully clockwise) while the key was also pushed straight into the the control box and with the warm-up lever FULLY lifted(fastest)?

With their powerful ignition systems, those are hard to flood and you'll normally always get a hiccup 1st.

 

[Caenus]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

I held the key in for 10 seconds. It still sounds like it is not getting enough fuel to me, so I checked the priming bulb and it was not solid. I reprimed, then immediately tried to start it again, and SURPRiSE! It immediately started up. I let it run for aabout a minute, then it sputtered out despite the idle lever all the way up.

I checked for leaks and kinks in the line , and it looks good.

 

[Caenus]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

What about the fuel tank itself? Would there be a vent that is closed off that is restricting fuel flow?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Is it a built in tank? Im assuming so?

 

[krimi]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

Old johnsons are temperamental. With my 92 200 I pump the bulb, push my throttle 3/4, turn key while pushing in, pump the bulb some more...then I pull the throttle back and forth while turning key and pushing in choke. I know its not supposed to do anything,...butt, thats when I get a hiccup and engine will usually crank over. Sometimes I will move the little red lever in engine bypassing the choke and pump the ball, then start over with same procedure.

 

[Part-time]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

In the post above he mentioned pumping the throttle. On a carbed 4 stroke, like an I/O there's a small pump that gives a little squirt of gas from the bowl to the throat of the carb... on a 2 stroke it does nothing.
After the primer bulb is firm and you cranked a bit it may still be nesesary to pump it a few more times before it starts.
Pushing the key in activates the choke... only when the key is still being pushed in.
When you let the key out the choke is off.
There is no reason to count to 5 or 10 before cranking, you're only holding the choke closed and it's not doing anything because you're not cranking.
You must hold the key pushed in while cranking and even after start up in colder weather.
Sometimes you might have to push the key in several times during warm up.
In colder temperatures the motor must be well warmed up before running over 1/2 throttle or serious engine damage can occur.
The pistons will heat up and expand faster than the cylinder walls 'binding' the pistons in the cylinders.

Good luck and happy boating.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

In the post above he mentioned pumping the throttle. On a carbed 4 stroke, like an I/O there's a small pump that gives a little squirt of gas from the bowl to the throat of the carb... on a 2 stroke it does nothing.
After the primer bulb is firm and you cranked a bit it may still be nesesary to pump it a few more times before it starts.
Pushing the key in activates the choke... only when the key is still being pushed in.
When you let the key out the choke is off.
There is no reason to count to 5 or 10 before cranking, you're only holding the choke closed and it's not doing anything because you're not cranking.
You must hold the key pushed in while cranking and even after start up in colder weather.
Sometimes you might have to push the key in several times during warm up.
In colder temperatures the motor must be well warmed up before running over 1/2 throttle or serious engine damage can occur.
The pistons will heat up and expand faster than the cylinder walls 'binding' the pistons in the cylinders.

Good luck and happy boating.

You are a bit confused with different systems there, holding the key in is absolutely more than just a choke.

 

[Part-time]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

You are a bit confused with different systems there, holding the key in is absolutely more than just a choke.

Really... I never noticed a primer pump attached to the choke sylenoid/carbs on my motor... Pushing the key in on my 100GT just closes the choke.... and makes my fingers tired if I hold it a long time.
If my boat and motor were not shrink wraped and under a couple of feet of snow I'd take picks of it.
Please explain what else it does and how it does this...

Edit: got curious and dug out the back of the boat to take a look. I have no red lever, electric fuel pump, I'm gessing some kind of regulator and the choke sylenoid directly hooked up to the choke linkage... but it sure doesn't look like any of the pics I dug out on google.

 

[krimi]

Re: I cannot start my Johnson GT 150...but the mechanic can...

I know pumping the throttle is not supposed to do anything, but, it will get me started within 2 mins where as forgoing this can drain a battery for me. ??? And i did drain a few batterys trying usual choke sequence. I would be curious to see if OP or anyone tries this.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=453215

look at post 8-10