115 Johnson - no gas

[goblerblaster]

I have a 2001 model 115 Johnson that I had the VRO replaced 2 years ago coz it was having the same problem as it is now. The issue is that it starts easy, but will run out of gas within a minute or so. I can pump the primer bulb and it will fire back up and run perfect for a minute and then run out of gas again. As long as I pump the primer bulb, it will run. Now the wierd part- after about 5 to 10 of these bulb pumings, it will stop dieing and run perfect with no more pumping. It has done this for the last 6 times I have used the boat. I have checked for air leaks in the fuel lines and there are none. I do have a cross threaded gas cap on the built in fuel tank, the vent for the fuel tank is not closed. If I idle along for 2 or 3 minutes, I can hear the engine about to run out of gas and suddenly it will pick up and idle faster and be fixed. I can then run wide open with no missing or sputtering. I have run about 10 gallons of gas with C Foam in it and then ran a tank with 2 cycle Heat in the gas as I thought there might be water in the tank. I also bought a new OMC primer bulb and installed it. I can't see that the fuel pump side of the VRO would be bad cos it runs great after a little messing aruond.

This motor does smoke pretty bad when it is first started, but it has always done that even when I was not having this problem. Once the motor gets "fixed" for the day, it does not repeat the problem until the next time I go out. I must have ran it for over an hour 2 days ago and once it started working, it was perfect. Yesterday, I go out and same thing= no gas for 6 or 8 bulb pumping sessions- then ran perfect for an hour. It has been below freezing on some days, but in the 50's other days when this has been happening.

Help !!!! I do not know where to go next.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

Have you checked the gasket of the vapor seperator? Have you checked the vapor pump? Both will cause the problems you have, if they are defective.

 

[goblerblaster]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

No, i have not. Is that a part of the VRO pump? if not , where is it? Why would it not work for the first 20 or 30 minutes and then work perfect for the rest of the day? if it was a bad gasket, looks like it woiuld not "fix" itself. I'll sure try to find that part and check it. Thanks for your advise.

 

[boobie]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

Have you tried taking a 6 gal tank and hooking it directly to the mtr and see what happens. This eliminates the boats fuel system. If you still have a prob it's a mtr prob. By smoking so much this sounds like an air leak or fuel restriction.

 

[goblerblaster]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

Have you tried taking a 6 gal tank and hooking it directly to the mtr and see what happens. This eliminates the boats fuel system. If you still have a prob it's a mtr prob. By smoking so much this sounds like an air leak or fuel restriction.

I have not tried that. It is obviously a fuel restriction or bad fuel pump coz it runs perfect as long as I pump the bulb. I just can't figure out how it "fixes" itself after a little running time. Looks to me like if it was the fuel sustem - it would not start working. It has done this 6 trips to the lake in a row. I'll see if I can bum a tank and try it. Mine is not the clip connector but direct hose to the VRO pump. Keep the suggestions coming !! Thanks.

 

[boobie]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

If you try the 6 gal tank trick and you have to still pump the primer bulb take the fuel line and hook it directly to the vro fuel in let by-passing the vapor seperator. If you still have a prob it's the vro fuel pump side.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

I have the same style motor..and I had to pump the primer several times before i got out of the harbor for the first year then the second year nit seemed like the carbs starved for fuel constantly every minute or so...and I pump and it would rev right back up....

sooo I decided to replace the fuel pump....when I got in therer and took it off, i found that the hose underneath the fuel pump that went to the big blue anodized one way valve fitting in the block...was split almost completely in two!!! i think it just got worse.... i replaced the hose and the motor has run perfect...when i prime the motor now.... the bulb stays hard the whole day!!!

good luck.... i think you have a leak somewhere


bob

 

[goblerblaster]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

Thanks, another somwthing to check. thanks for the advise. I have never taken off the VRO myself, but I am about to learn !!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 115 Johnson - no gas

The vapor seperator is a bit above and to the right of the OMS pump. The main strainer for the gasoline supply screws into the vapor seperator.

Sounds like a service manual would be a help to you. The marineengine com website has them.