Re: 4 hp johnson
G'day Greg and welcome to iboats. Usually you should start a new thread but since your problem could help JW, we'll help out here.<br /><br />Greg, your engine has one set of points and a charge coil. If you have no spark, pop the flywheel and take a look at the coil and points. If the coil is cracked, replace it. I would be a good idea to replace the points and condenser in any event.<br /><br />If the engine has set a while with out maint., get a carb kit and clean and rebuild the carb. Needle settings are simple, from gently seated, back the needles out 3/4 turn. This should get it started. Set the high speed needle first then the low speed.<br /><br />And do check the fuel tank for crude. The tanks can be a pain to remove but making sure the are clean and the suction strainer is clean is essential.<br /><br />If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post.<br /><br />EDIT: Forgot....compression...If you got 90psi on both cylinders, that's good. 90 and higher is considered to be good. What's more important is that both cylinders are within 10 to 15% of each other compression wise.
<br /><br />Fuel mix is 50:1 which equates to (in large numbers) 16oz oil to 6 gal of gas.<br /><br />Look on the back of the midsection. You should find some tiny holes....these will have some misty water coming out while the engine runs and if the water pump is working. There is no other tell tale on the engine.<br /><br />There are no timing marks. This is preset by the cam which opens and closes the points.<br /><br />One item to look at, the cam follower. It's mounted on the carb and rides along the cam just under the flywheel. On the cam is a hash mark. When the throttle just starts to open, the hash mark should be at the leading edge of the cam follower. If not, losen the bolts on the cam and move it until the correct position is achieved. This adjustment gets the timing and throttle opening in sync.<br /><br />Set the needles as I have indicated. Pull the choke out and set the spark advance lever to start or a little above. Give the engine a few pulls and see if she grumbles. If she does, close the choke and give another pull. If every thing is good, she should start. You may have to fiddle with the needles a little to get her going. Avoid large adjustments on the needles and be sure the packing followers are snug around the needles.<br /><br />And....be sure you have water over the pump before starting. A trash can full of water usually suffices for these smaller engines.
