1985 50 hp Johnson flooding problems

[hitch]

A friend is experiencing some flooding problems. When at low idle, gas is spitting 6-8" out of the low speed jets for both carbs. This causes the engine to run rough at trolling speed. When checking the plugs, they are wet. I don't know if this makes any difference but the VRO oil line was plugged off and he is running mixed gas. Does anyone have any idea what may be wrong? The fact that it is happening in both carbs tends to support the problem as lying elsewhere. Thanks for your help

 

[JB]

Re: 1985 50 hp Johnson flooding problems

Howdy, Hitch.<br /><br />From the low speed jets? Don't see how that could happen unless someone did a very bad job of assembling the carbs. It seems more likely that the reeds are open and backpressuring the venturis, spitting the mix from the carb throats, but that seems unlikely unless someone did a bad job of installing the reeds.<br /><br />With two cylinders and two carbs, whatever is happening is common to both...<br /><br />Give us some history on this engine. Your description of the symptoms doesn't make sense. There has to be more info.<br /><br />

 

[hitch]

Re: 1985 50 hp Johnson flooding problems

Friend bought this boat/motor/trailer from another friend. It was running a little rough @low speed so he took it to dealer repair shop and had both carbs rebuilt. Mechanic said the engine is in almost new condition. Tested it in the water and it ran great. Friend decided not to trust the VRO, plugged the oil line and ran mixed gas. It ran fine for first few tanks but now rough at trolling speed. He inspected the carbs and reeds and they look right. He is going to hook up the VRO again to see if he still gets the gas spray, wet plugs and rough idle. Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[Mark R Groves]

Re: 1985 50 hp Johnson flooding problems

When I purchased a '89 40 Evinrude a couple of years ago I had a similar concern about the gas spitting out of the air orifices, as I had never seen this sort of thing on any of my other motors. Nonetheless, the motor ran well otherwise. When I inquired about this at a local OMC dealer, I was told this is normal for this motor. In fact, he told me not to run the motor hard without the air silencer because "spit" fuel was responsible for some critical lubrication of the crank via the drain and line on the bottom of the silencer. I took his advise not to worry about it and so far the motor has worked fine. <br /><br />...that's my .02c

 

[hitch]

Re: 1985 50 hp Johnson flooding problems

Friend tried reconnecting the VRO. The rough idle problem still exists. Based on last post not sure whether the gas spitting is related, however wet plugs may mean too much gas. Could this somehow be related to the primer? Is there a diaphram or something in the primer causing too much gas getting through?

 

[Franki]

Re: 1985 50 hp Johnson flooding problems

This post was very interesting to me because I have a similiar problem..<br /><br />older and bigger engine, (100HP 72 model) but a fairly related situation..<br /><br />at low rpm, I sometimes get fuel shooting out of two holes (about 4mm diameter) that are between the two carb throats on both carbies, (carbies are twin dual throat, side draught jobs.) and the problem happens at low revs sometimes from top carb, sometimes from bottom.. and if I disconnect the fuel line for 5-10 seconds and then put it back on, it gets rid of the excess fuel and seems to run ok.. it actually kinda scary as I don't like fuel running around the inside of the motor..<br /><br />I thought the floats might have been damaged or dirty and these were overflows, but the floats and chambers are spotless and in good condition..<br /><br />I also thought it was something other then the carbs since it happens at different times to different carbs...<br /><br />I'd love to hear a solution to this if anyone has one..<br /><br />I don't know if this is normal behaviour with the air silencer on.. but I had it off to do a decarb the last time I saw the problem.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank