Johnson O/B won't start without direct priming

[unseaworthy]

1969 Johnson O/B 85 horse runs great but I have to put fuel directly into heads to get it to start. It won't get fuel on inital start attempts. Once I directly prime it, it runs great for the rest of the day. The pump bulb won't firm up on initial start regardless of how many times I pump it. However, once started, it pumps up fine. After being started, the motor creates the vacume and holds it all day. It will start just fine all day afterward. However, by the next day, it looses the vacume and I cannot prime the squeeze bulb and I have to redoe the direct priming process to get it started. I suspected a small leak in the hose. So, I pulled it off and squeezed the bulb and it sprayed fuel just fine. I really don't understand what can be happening . And shouldn't there be a reserve of fuel in the carb bowls? It is a very strange problem because once it is started, it runs great all day. What could the problem possibly be?

 

[zj-jeepster]

Re: Johnson O/B won't start without direct priming

sounds like choke problem. my 85HP is a 74 so it might not be exactly the same. is your choke operated electrically with a switch from the control box? there should also be a manual choke on the engine itself some where. the choke plate needs to be fairly tight against the carb body to get raw fuel during cold starts. hope this helps you get started <br /><br />.

 

[unseaworthy]

Re: Johnson O/B won't start without direct priming

Thank you for your immediate reply. I do have auto choke but it doesn't work. However, I can work it manually and I will try that and let you know.