1999 Johnson 115 starts then dies

[Troubled1]

Last week I took my (new to me) boat out. I ran up the lake a few miles to my fishing spot. When I slowed down the motor died. I tried restarting it several times but it wouldn’t go. The motor would crank over, fire up then die within a second. I had starting issues while getting it ready for use and found my ignition switch was bad so that was replaced. After that it started just fine on muffs.
When I first put it in the lake it started and ran great then the above happened. The motor is a J115pleem non ficht.
Does this sound like a fuel issue or electrical? Pumping the bulb while trying to restart it didn’t help. It just kept dying out. I haven’t been able to try it since that happened as my starter is completely worn out and a new starter will be installed this week. VRO system is still functional with no plans to remove/bypass it. Spark plugs are new Champion QL78YC as recommended for this motor.

 

[alldodge]

Start with the basics, compression and a spark gap tester

 

[Troubled1]

Start with the basics, compression and a spark gap tester

I’ll be heading home from the lake tomorrow to pick up the starter that arrived today. Once installed I’ll do a compression test and repeat the spark test I did 1 1/2 weeks ago. I’m hoping the issue is something simple.

 

[airshot]

Do the spark test when it dies out, you know it has spark at times or it wouldn't fire up. When it dies, is when you need to know if their is still spark. Same with squeezing the primer ball, do it when the motor starts to die out.

 

[Chris1956]

That motor should have the quickstart system. When it is cold started, the spark is advanced and the motor should run at about 1100 RPM until it warms up. When the motor is warm restarted, the quickstart system kicks in for 1 second or two. Have you tried advancing the throttle a bit when warm restarting? What is your idle speed, when she is running and warm?

 

[racerone]

A " new to you motor " ----Bad switch / bad starter is a sign.----Do a complete evaluation before you spend more $$$----Post actual compression values.----Running with tested VRO or 50:1 mix ?---Does spark jump a gap of 3/8" on all leads ?----Water pump impeller replaced ?----Overheat horn tested?

 

[cyclops222]

Your motor is acting just like mine did when the motor fuel pump failed. Try to squeeze the primer bulb rock hard. In 4 or less squeezes.