Oil in intake

[corzy]

Hi guys, I've got a 1991 4 hp Johnson seahorse, I haven't used it much in the 6 yrs I've had it but will start to next season, I've taken it out 2 times this year after draining the carb and cleaning the plugs, it ran good the first time going basically full throttle for a half hr no issues. Then the next time out we just putted around a bit over idle for half hr, again no issues while running. My 2 issues with the motor are thus.
1 - after the slow outing there was quite a bit of oil collected at the water intake (just above the prop hollow area)
2 - before starting the motor the 2nd time out the rope wasn't engaging the fly wheel, opened the cover didn't see anything obvious then put the cover back on and smacked the top of it and voila started right up....not sure what would cause this.....
I'm not much of a mechanic so any advise would be awesome. Oh the gas mixture is 50:1
Thanks

 

[F_R]

You put oil in the gas. Every morsel of that oil goes through the engine as it runs. Some burns (smoke) and the rest goes out the exhaust. That is to make the owner worry. Don't fret, all is normal. Especially after extended slow running when you didn't build up enough heat to burn off the oil.

But check your lower unit gear oil any. That's just good maintenance practice.

As for the starter, you may have to take it off and clean the friction spring if it gives any more trouble. They made millions of that design and some don't give any trouble at all.

 

[corzy]

ok I was hopeing it was something like that F R thanks, the motor runs great so didn't think it could be too serious. the first thing I checked was the lower unit but it pumped out the top plug instantly so I wasn't worried about that, I typically change it out every year just to be safe, that little motor doesn't use much....
ill see what I can do about that friction spring, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
cheers