Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

[jetterbug]

Im having a hard time getting this thing going. good comp, good spark, fuel??, timing?? when you turn on key i have power to primer solenoid... shouldn't it only be hot when you push key in? it acts like it wants to go but it wont run. thanks!

 

[Daviet]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

If you have good compression, what is it? And the spark is good, will it jump a 7/16" air gap? The only other thing is fuel, are you using fresh fuel mixture? Try squirting fuel mixture directly into the carbs and see what happens.

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

My compression is 100-110# on all 4. I have strong blue spark but not sure how to check if it'll jump 7/16" ...??
I put #1 at TDC but my CLYMER doesnt tell me how to check timing!
I'm thinking that the primer solenoid isnt doing anything. I have power to it without pressing in the key...
When I spray fuel mix in carbs , it acts like Im flooding it out. No stumble stumble!
Im going to try and find some new plug wires today and see if that may be it. I put new plugs in..(dealer in DM sold me QL82C plugs) they look the same but heat range may be different??? not sure. It sure acts like it WANTS to start but not hitting on all 4.

Marine battery is strong, but my internal battery is getting weak


Thanks, DAVIET

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

iF you ditch the VRO, are you using the same fuel pump?

 

[ilboater26]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

You are using the wrong pulgs. You should be using champion QL77JC4 plugs and for the spark you use a spark tester you can get them at just about any auto store.

 

[Dewaynep]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

This is my first post here and to help you out, please go get a spark tester and check the spark as they are asking (will it jump a 7/16" gap). I bought my first boat 2 weeks ago and I bought it knowing it didn't run (I'm an auto and small engine mechanic on the side so I figured I could fix it). The PO had put new plugs, coils, power pak and trigger coil on it in hopes that it would solve what he thought was a weak spark issue. Turned out there was no spark when tested across a 7/16" gap and after searching several posts I discovered that the key switch was bad. In my case it turned out good, I got a 1979 16' fiberglass bowrider with an 85hp Johnson for $760 after i bought the new switch for $60. This was after the PO spent over $600 on coils and powerpak etc... Follow what these guys are asking for and you will find the problem very quickly. Good luck.

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

Im all about it. I will get a spark tester. The plugs appeared the same...will take them back and get right ones. Thank you guys, thank you very much!

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

Ok I got new plugs and a spark tester. I adjusted gap on tester to 7/16" and its jumping the gap on all 4 cylinders. Its starting to give me small backfires..??? Im starting to lose hope

 

[whiskerchasin]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

are the carbs clean?

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

So it looks like pulling the carbs is my next move?...

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

If you have power to the Primer solenoid with key ON and not pressed in, something is wrong!
Pull of one or both the this hoses, squeeze pressure in the primer bulb, turn key ON.
If fuel is squirting out of the primer solenoid WITHOUT having the press the key IN, check the connections on the ignition switch. You are probably flooding the engine every time you try to start.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

The wire in the harness that feeds the primer solenoid should be connected to the "C" terminal on the ignition switch. It is very likely connected to the "S" (starter) or "A" (accessory) terminal.

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

Should I look into getting a manual for the controls for dis-assembly? There is the 3 screws on back side of control box... just open her up and ignition switch is right there? Thank you all for your input! You are helping me more than you know

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please




Here is the box. This purple wire is taped off. Does anyone know what it goes to? Then a dial above that. Is that an idle adjustment? I just don't want to open this thing up and a small explosion of springs and balls and cams ... Thanks

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

I took off the top hose and primed the bulb and fuel came out before I turned the key. Does this mean the solenoid is bad? It doesn't make any noise when key on, off, or pressed in. I took the box apart and pulled out switch. Doesn't appear to be tampered with... all wires intact... ??

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

Could the ignition switch go bad and cause the primer solenoid to stay on? ... I think that may be one problem. Anyone ever see that happen

 

[BonairII]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

Its starting to give me small backfires..???

Are u getting loud "pop!" sounds out the exhaust? Or just lean 'sneezes'. Or is it actually backfiring thru the carbs?

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

I took off the top hose and primed the bulb and fuel came out before I turned the key. Does this mean the solenoid is bad? It doesn't make any noise when key on, off, or pressed in. I took the box apart and pulled out switch. Doesn't appear to be tampered with... all wires intact... ??

There are 3 hoses, 2 small and one bigger. Did you take off the bigger one, fuel should come out, but not in the smaller ones.

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

I took off the small line that primes the upper cylinders. Fuel continually spills out.

 

[jetterbug]

Re: Need help getting 85 Johnson 90 to start! Please

Are u getting loud "pop!" sounds out the exhaust? Or just lean 'sneezes'. Or is it actually backfiring thru the carbs?

It's not backfiring through the carbs...just loud "sneezes" and pops through the exhaust. I took upper carb off and bowl looks clean. I didn't dis-assemble completely but what I seen in there wasn't bad at all.