maverickGeek
Recruit
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2016
- Messages
- 4
Motor: 1990 Johnson 115 Outboard. Model: J115MLESB
Before I explain please note that this motor has now sat for the last 3 years, only been run a few times.
Backstory:
The issue started out 2 years ago after it sat for about one year and the motor was having trouble keeping cool and was running ruff. So I replaced the water pumped then is sat till the next summer.
Last year it started up fine at home but was still running a little ruff, so I rebuilt both carbs with carb kits. Then took it to the marina and tried to run and when we got on plane the motor would die like it wasn't getting enough fuel. At the end of the summer I replaced all plugs and plug wires, they needed to be replaced, ran it at home fine I was happy. Took it to the marina and would not idle when in water and could not get on plane. Then motor than sat till this past may.
This past month:
Now this year
. I Cleaned the carbs again, did not use new carb kits, the gaskets etc where fine. Idled nice, ran fine at home. Took it to the water and same issue could not get on plane and its starving for fuel. I got smart this year I called marinas, mechanics, friends and family. From all of the suggestions I have done the following:
1. rebuilt carbs
2. replaced ball value at gas tank, post in tank was very loose so tightened it as well.
3. replaced main fuel line and hose clamps from tank to fuel separator
4. replaced fuel line and hose clamps from fuel separator to primer bulb and to connector at motor
5. replaced connector with jnohnson /evenrudes connector
so in a nutshell every fuel line from tank to motor is new with new hoseclamps.
6. Replaced every fuel line inside the motor from input to VRO pump to carbs. Except for one I cant make a 90 degree bend with regular fuel line but the line looks fine and I did replace the hose clamps.
7. new fuel separator filter
8. new fuel filter.
9 found a vacuum line under cars that was barley on, So I cut the lose end off and reattached it and now fits tight.
10. was missing plastic bushings on throttle linkage, replaced them. The old ones fell apart
11. tested compression on each head and 3 where 110 lbs and 1 was 100 lbs. Manual says within 15 lbs for my year motor.
Now I am seeing this:
After doing all of that, the motor idles, but only after I start it and run at high RPMs to warm up. But Let it sit for 20 mins and it will start and die, start and die. Unless you warm it up it will not idle. I did notice which I thought was weird, is that after priming with the primer bulb, the motor when warm will drain the clear fuel filter on the side of the motor. it wont always die when the filter looks empty, but I was surprised that it looks so empty. After replacing all lines the primer bulb will get hard and then soft like the ball valve is not working and fuel is running back to the tank. Last I did buy the 88 special fuel pump and use a separate fuel tank (with mixed gas) and new line to rule out my pump and it was worse.
I dont know what else to try, I just want to be able to start the motor have it idle and feel confident that it wont stall. I understand its a 2 stroke and they can be a pain. But I have rebuilt a few carbs in my time on my quads and never had this much trouble. Am I missing something am I looking in the wrong direction? Any help would be greatly appreciate.
Again Main issues:
1. wont idle when cold, a little ruff when warm
2. cant get on plane, motor dies like its starving for fuel.
Ideas:
1. vapor lock?
2. bad coil pack?
3. Air still getting in lines?
Ohh and every year I do put the red fuel additive in the tank and I always fog the motor before the winter. Tomorrow I will try and take pictures and video, so you can see some visuals.
Before I explain please note that this motor has now sat for the last 3 years, only been run a few times.
Backstory:
The issue started out 2 years ago after it sat for about one year and the motor was having trouble keeping cool and was running ruff. So I replaced the water pumped then is sat till the next summer.
Last year it started up fine at home but was still running a little ruff, so I rebuilt both carbs with carb kits. Then took it to the marina and tried to run and when we got on plane the motor would die like it wasn't getting enough fuel. At the end of the summer I replaced all plugs and plug wires, they needed to be replaced, ran it at home fine I was happy. Took it to the marina and would not idle when in water and could not get on plane. Then motor than sat till this past may.
This past month:
Now this year
. I Cleaned the carbs again, did not use new carb kits, the gaskets etc where fine. Idled nice, ran fine at home. Took it to the water and same issue could not get on plane and its starving for fuel. I got smart this year I called marinas, mechanics, friends and family. From all of the suggestions I have done the following:1. rebuilt carbs
2. replaced ball value at gas tank, post in tank was very loose so tightened it as well.
3. replaced main fuel line and hose clamps from tank to fuel separator
4. replaced fuel line and hose clamps from fuel separator to primer bulb and to connector at motor
5. replaced connector with jnohnson /evenrudes connector
so in a nutshell every fuel line from tank to motor is new with new hoseclamps.
6. Replaced every fuel line inside the motor from input to VRO pump to carbs. Except for one I cant make a 90 degree bend with regular fuel line but the line looks fine and I did replace the hose clamps.
7. new fuel separator filter
8. new fuel filter.
9 found a vacuum line under cars that was barley on, So I cut the lose end off and reattached it and now fits tight.
10. was missing plastic bushings on throttle linkage, replaced them. The old ones fell apart
11. tested compression on each head and 3 where 110 lbs and 1 was 100 lbs. Manual says within 15 lbs for my year motor.
Now I am seeing this:
After doing all of that, the motor idles, but only after I start it and run at high RPMs to warm up. But Let it sit for 20 mins and it will start and die, start and die. Unless you warm it up it will not idle. I did notice which I thought was weird, is that after priming with the primer bulb, the motor when warm will drain the clear fuel filter on the side of the motor. it wont always die when the filter looks empty, but I was surprised that it looks so empty. After replacing all lines the primer bulb will get hard and then soft like the ball valve is not working and fuel is running back to the tank. Last I did buy the 88 special fuel pump and use a separate fuel tank (with mixed gas) and new line to rule out my pump and it was worse.
I dont know what else to try, I just want to be able to start the motor have it idle and feel confident that it wont stall. I understand its a 2 stroke and they can be a pain. But I have rebuilt a few carbs in my time on my quads and never had this much trouble. Am I missing something am I looking in the wrong direction? Any help would be greatly appreciate.
Again Main issues:
1. wont idle when cold, a little ruff when warm
2. cant get on plane, motor dies like its starving for fuel.
Ideas:
1. vapor lock?
2. bad coil pack?
3. Air still getting in lines?
Ohh and every year I do put the red fuel additive in the tank and I always fog the motor before the winter. Tomorrow I will try and take pictures and video, so you can see some visuals.
Last edited:
