86 70 Johnson (ex VRO) intermittent hard start

[midsized johnson]

I bought this motor a month or so ago. Replaced water pump (full kit), fuel pump, all new fuel lines, cleaned all carbs, did a de-carb on the engine. Only ignition work was to install new spark plugs. It's been running fine, actually, it still does. However, yesterday after drifting a bit, I tried to start it, and was a no go. Lifted throttle handle about half way and it started. Did this twice. At the dock, when I was getting ready to trailer it, it fired right up. At home, with the earmuffs, she fired right up. If I had to open the butterflys to get it to fire, what would be the cause? Hopefully, I've addressed all the possible questions, as I'll be out of pocket today. Thanks in advance.

 

[midsized johnson]

Re: 86 70 Johnson (ex VRO) intermittent hard start

Stump the panel???

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: 86 70 Johnson (ex VRO) intermittent hard start

If what your calling "lifting throttle handel" is actually the warm up lever, then thats how your suposed to start a cold motor. Or one tat has been sitting for a while fishing...or what ever.<br /><br />If you really opened the throttle up and then started it, your netural saftey switch is not working. And can be quite dangerous.<br /><br />If you ever make a mistake some time and that throttle is wide open and your on the muffs..itll blow to hell and back before you can think what happened.<br /><br />And it gets worse if your on the water and somebody is standing up in the boat.<br /> <br />Good luck!

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: 86 70 Johnson (ex VRO) intermittent hard start

If what your calling "lifting throttle handel" is actually the warm up lever, then thats how your suposed to start a cold motor. Or one tat has been sitting for a while fishing...or what ever.<br /><br />If you really opened the throttle up and then started it, your netural saftey switch is not working. And can be quite dangerous.<br /><br />If you ever make a mistake some time and that throttle is wide open and your on the muffs..itll blow to hell and back before you can think what happened.<br /><br />And it gets worse if your on the water and somebody is standing up in the boat.<br /> <br />Good luck!

 

[Steve135]

Re: 86 70 Johnson (ex VRO) intermittent hard start

Hi Well my first statement would be thats been a problem of many 70 hp Johnson Evinrude owners from 1982 to 1986 These motors have been known for this type running problems! Check to make sure the primer lever Red is not leaking fuel. There is an O-ring at the end of that lever. If it is old dryed for any long periods or just failed from ware then fuel can be getting to the carbs thru it. There by causing too much fuel at start up for a warm engine! That lever is use for emergency starts when using a rope. But the primer is used to start a cold engine. Next cold start try not to push the key in and see if it starts right up this could be a sign its leaking.

 

[midsized johnson]

Re: 86 70 Johnson (ex VRO) intermittent hard start

Thanks for the responses. <br />GOB, I was referring to the "warm up lever" not the shifter. One of the first things I checked when I got the control box was that the neutral safety switch worked. The warm up lever makes sense, I haven't had to use it to get it started, so I had kind of wondered what it's use was (no owner's manual). <br />Stinky, I'll check the primer, it's at least as old as the motor, so it could have problems.