Johnson 6hp not pissing

[Johnson6hp]

I just recently got a 1980 Johnson 6hp 2 cycle and it starts right up but is not pissing. There’s air coming out of the telltale but I’m afraid to run it more than a few seconds without water coming out. I’m thinking I need to replace the impeller but and by no means an outboard mechanic. Is there anything else I should check? Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

 

[tphoyt]

Any new to you motor should have the impeller replaced and agin about ever 5 years at most. Start there and see what you get.

 

[racerone]

In a test bucket the water must be 6" above the impeller.---??--a 1980 model 6 HP ?-----Model # is ?

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Was is salt water use or fresh?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I just recently got a 1980 Johnson 6hp...... I need to replace the impeller

Start with the impeller and all maintenance the prior owner didn't do

 

[Johnson6hp]

In a test bucket the water must be 6" above the impeller.---??--a 1980 model 6 HP ?-----Model # is ?

How far up is the impeller located? I tested in a bucket and had the water around 6 inches above the intake holes, is this not high enough?

 

[tphoyt]

Nope. The pump is just above the where lower unit bolts to the mid section. It’s not self priming and needs to be completely submerged.
You can certainly try it again as it’s your motor but the impeller should be replaced before any outing if you don’t know 100% when it was last done.

 

[Johnson6hp]

Nope. The pump is just above the where lower unit bolts to the mid section. It’s not self priming and needs to be completely submerged.
You can certainly try it again as it’s your motor but the impeller should be replaced before any outing if you don’t know 100% when it was last done.

Thanks, I plan on replacing the impeller and will make sure it’s deep enough when I test again.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Basically, use a garbage can and have the water up to the transom clamp

 

[Johnson6hp]

I replaced the impeller and roll pin on drive shaft when I took off lower unit( because it was snapped), now it’s pissing good but is bogging and cuts out after a minute of running. I’m thinking of running sea foam through it to try and clean up carbs and jets, is there something else I should do also/instead.

 

[racerone]

Model # of motor?----Does lower unit have extra horizontal fins on bottom of lower unit ?

 

[Johnson6hp]

Mode no. is 6R-73S and no I don’t think it has any extra fins.

 

[racerone]

So it is a 1973 model.

 

[Johnson6hp]

Yes

 

[racerone]

Post #1 mentions a 1980 model.----Best to post correct information.----Gets the best solutions in my opinion.

 

[Johnson6hp]

Yea I was told it was a 1980 when I got it but whenever I ordered the water pump kit I was informed it was a 1973.

 

[racerone]

No surprise that sellers are often wrong by 10 years or more.-----It was like that 50 years ago and likely will not change.----See my suspicion in post #3

 

[Johnson6hp]

So do you have any idea what the issue is with the motor? I’m pretty sure it’s a fuel/ air issue but am not positive on what I should do next.

 

[racerone]

When I pick up one of these 6 HP motors ( I have more that 10 of them ) , I pull the flywheel----Usually I find new ignition coils.-----All 1973 coils have cracked.-----If yours are they need to be replaced.----Does spark jump a gap of 5 /16" on both leads ?