totally lost

[Chrism77]

I have a 1970 johnson 85esl. I need to sell this boat due to a move. It ran just fine last season never had an issue. I go to start it today and it won't even cough. I don't have much experience with outboards. Batteries are charged. Fresh fuel. But nothing. I am confused because it ran fine all last season now this

 

[jbjennings]

Re: totally lost

I would go through and clean ALL of the electrical connections that I could get to. Does the starter turn it over? If not, it's a good chance you have a bad connection on your battery or solenoid or both. Pay special attention to getting all grounds clean.
If it turns over and it just won't start, you need to check spark. If you've got good spark, then go to the fuel system.
JMO,
JBJ

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

Yes the starter turns just fine. The plugs seem wet when I take them out. Is there a way to test for spark without turning the key? It is just me and I can't turn the key in the front and check the spark in the back. Iam desperate. Got someone coming to look at it tomorrow

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

I was wondering if there could be a fuse some place i am missing. I saw one up topof the motor that was fine. Is there another?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: totally lost

I would not show it to them tomorrow. The problem may be as simple as a bad kill switch, or water in the gas, etc. I would get a $6 spark tester from an auto parts store and check spark with a helper to turn the key. Lots of people ground the plug onto the block and see what kind of spark they get, but you risk getting shocked and it's not a good test since just because the spark will jump a tiny gap it still may not be enough to jump the gap inside the cylinder.
Sorry I can't be of more help,
JBJ

 

[F_R]

Re: totally lost

Hopefully, with the help you can figure it out.

Is the choke in "automatic" position (pulled half way out)? Electric choke slamming it tightly shut? Red Warm-up lever set on remote control? Remove one of the hex drain plugs from each carburetor and see what comes out (clean fuel, I hope). And of course, the spark.

 

[F_R]

Re: totally lost

I was wondering if there could be a fuse some place i am missing. I saw one up topof the motor that was fine. Is there another?

Only one fuse, and if it were bad the starter wouldn't crank

 

[jbjennings]

Re: totally lost

Indeed the float needles could be stuck in all your carbs and not letting the bowls fill (ethanol in the gas is particularly bad about sticking neoprene needle tips). When you pumped the primer bulb, did it take quite a few pumps to fill all the carb bowls? As F_R mentioned, pulling the plug on the carb would give you an idea not only if your gas was decently clean, but if the bowl were full as well.
Anyway, F_R is here so you're in good hands,
JBJ

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

I was wondering about the choke. There is a lever on the motor but not sure where it should be. It is not a pull just flip. It does look like the choke is pulling closed. Well at least the solenoid is working. The lever on the remote control is in the start but was going to pull it apart to check and make sure it's all working. We're might a kill switch be at?

 

[boobie]

Re: totally lost

Squirt some fuel in the carb throats once and see what happens.

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

I did not pay attention to how many pumps it took to prime it. I am guessing the plugs on the carbs are on the bottom? Just hard to get too

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

So i need to pull off the air cleaner "box" to get to the carbs?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: totally lost

I was wondering about the choke. There is a lever on the motor but not sure where it should be. It is not a pull just flip. It does look like the choke is pulling closed. Well at least the solenoid is working. The lever on the remote control is in the start but was going to pull it apart to check and make sure it's all working. We're might a kill switch be at?

I would not pull apart the remote. The kill switch is basically part of the key switch.
The plugs on the carbs are often in the sides and actually pretty easy to get to sometimes. Brass hex heads....
Is there a cover on the carbs that prevent you from seeing the choke butterflies? If so, remove it. You can then see if the choke plates are fully closing, and squirt some fuel/oil mix in the throats and see if it would fire as Boobie said.

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

Yes there is a plate blocking me from seeing the butterflies, the air box is more like a snorkel with the intake being to the rear. I should be able to take that apart. You don't think something could have happened in the remote? I had it apart when I first got it because there was a splice in the trunk line going to the motor. But never had a problem with it after that. Thank you all for the advice

 

[oldboat1]

Re: totally lost

desperate times, desperate solutions. Couple of checks: Motor off, cover off -- see if you can spin the flywheel. If no resistance, the starter is spinning the flywheel, but the key is sheared (motor not turning). If resistance, set up for normal starting, and mist starting fluid (ether) at the air silencer (opening faces toward the rear of the engine.) See if you get any pop, whether or not the engine starts (insures that you have some spark).

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

There is resistance spinning the fly wheel. But I will check again. Starting fluid did nothing

 

[oldboat1]

Re: totally lost

worth a shot. You would have noticed if the flywheel was freely spinning, so probably not an issue. Unfortunately, still don't know if there is spark. Was briefly thinking neutral safety switch, but starter would not engage if the switch was the issue. Let's see, want to make sure the throttle lever is in the starting position. Wish I had more ideas....

 

[Chrism77]

Re: totally lost

That's what is strange. I pulled it out running just fine.. now it won't start. It does not get cold here so don't see something freezing being an issue. That's why I was wondering about a fuse or the remote. I did check the neutral safety and it does work fine. I am just confused but it will do my best to check spark. I just don't know how yet. I can't do much because I packed most my tools already

 

[racerone]

Re: totally lost

Pull the flywheel.---Remove distributor cap--Clean and set points at 0.010"---Inspect anti reversing spring.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: totally lost

OK, a little crazy now. Grab a hairdryer if it hasn't been packed away, and blow dry all the electricals you can access, including the control box (short of disassembly, if possible). Set it on high/hot (some care of course for any delicate parts) -- thinking of condensation/moisture somewhere causing electrical gremlins.

(particularly incl interior of or around distributor cap [racerone's post] -- thinking now of an old Plymouth I had.)