johnson 65 hp wont start

woodmanscott

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Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
6
my 65 hp johnson is puffing out whit smoke through the hub exhaust and wont start has fuel and spark i shut it off on the lake after hearing a rattle . checked it by turning it over by hand i could feel the compression on all 3 cylinders/ when trying to start it it just spins but as soon as you let off the key it sputters i have checked compression on all 3 and it is good it is a 73 mdl :(
 

OBJ

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Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: johnson 65 hp wont start

Welcome Scott!<br /><br />Few basic questions....what's the year of the engine?<br /><br />What were the compression readings on each cylinder?<br /><br />When you checked the spark, did you use a spark tester or just lay the spark plug against the block? Makes a difference. Your spark should be able to jump at least a 7/16" gap with a strong hot spark.<br /><br />Don't know what to say about the rattle. Could be just about anything. Take a good flashlight and nib around the engine. Look for anything laying about that shouldn't be there. Look down into the spark plug holes at the tops of the pistions. Look for any shiney bits of metal imbedded in the top of the piston.
 

woodmanscott

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Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
6
Re: johnson 65 hp wont start

my engine is a 1973 johnson the compression is around 90-100 per cylinder i used a spark checker that i got from auto zone
 

woodmanscott

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Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
6
Re: johnson 65 hp wont start

thanks for the help .guys it turned out to be the woodruff key had sheared and let it get out of time lined it back up and just as soon as i hit the key it fired right up and run smooth :) :) :) :) :)
 

OBJ

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Dec 27, 2002
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10,161
Re: johnson 65 hp wont start

Way cool Scott. Thanks for posting back with the fix......:)
 

woodmanscott

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Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
6
Re: johnson 65 hp wont start

i have another problem.. i hit something in the water and it broke off about an inch of the lower fin behind the prop. can i polish up a piece of steel and bolt it onto what is remaining . the lower unit does not apear to be cracked that i can tell :confused:
 

fireman57

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Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: johnson 65 hp wont start

That small piece shouldn't make any difference as long as the lower skeg is not bent badly.
 
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