What the heck was that??

[chasin tails]

A Strange thing happened to me the other day on the water. My 2001 Johnson 70 decided to quit while I was 7 miles offshore. I was trolling and it just shut down. I cranked on it a for a while trying all different things and I just couldn't get her going. Called tow boat us, which came out and got me. On the way in while enjoying a cold beverage I decided to try the engine and it fired right up??? He pulled me to my canal and I explained what had happened and I tried again and fired right up. So ran it back to the house and into a salt water lake near by. Ran it on plane, low idle, everything and it ran perfect. My brother is coming to visit and we were planning on fishing all weekend but I a little nervous about taking it back out. I don't have time to take it to the shop so I was hoping someone could tell me what I can look at or check. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

GARRETT

 

[mrcj001]

Re: What the heck was that??

It could be a number of things:

Put it on the muffs or keep in the water and let it idle for a while and see if the engine starts to die or studder. Then check the spark. If spark is good check fuel system from the tank to the carbs. Check the fuel pump also.
Make sure the tank is vented and the fuel lines are clear.

If you troll alot, check the condition of the spark plugs. They may be fouled. Clean or replace them and gap at .35-.40 for trolling.

If the engine has alot of hours on it, the power pack maybe starting to fail. Check it also.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: What the heck was that??

Sometimes when an electrical part in the ignition system is "dying" it will fail when hot then be ok when it cools off. Then fail when hot again...etc etc. till it finally goes for good. I can't diagnose your problem for you, but I wouldn't rely on that motor offshore until I found out what the problem is. Next time it gets hot it might be dead for good.

 

[chasin tails]

Re: What the heck was that??

I am a novice mechanic at best, any idea how to check the electrical system? I can check fuel and spark plug related things but the power pack and ignition system are things I have never messed with.

GARRETT

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: What the heck was that??

If you troll alot, check the condition of the spark plugs. They may be fouled. Clean or replace them and gap at .35-.40 for trolling.

If the engine has alot of hours on it, the power pack maybe starting to fail. Check it also.

Might be safer to try .035-.040 first....

 

[mrcj001]

Re: What the heck was that??

Maybe this will help.........

http://www.cdielectronics.com/InstallSheet/113-4808.pdf

 

[cbavier]

Re: What the heck was that??

I had a Merc one time that when the Coil got hot the motor would shut down. As soon as it cooled the motor would run fine until the coil got hot again. Then it would shut down. I took it to a Marina and they diagnosed it. I finally had to replace the coil. It ran fine after that and I never had any more trouble with it.
If it had two coils both should be replaced if that indeed is the problem.

 

[kbait]

Re: What the heck was that??

You could run it on muffs and try to make it fail again, and immediately check spark. You could use a hair dryer to heat up coils/cd box to coax it into failing.. Then you could be sure it's ignition. Perhaps checking the cd box would be more effective, but I've never done that. I like old pointset ignitions.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: What the heck was that??

Another thing I thought of was a sticking carb float. I have a 67 Chevy truck that just dies on me occasionally...like it ran out of gas.

Took me awhile to figure out the float in the carb is sticking...so it does run out of gas. Until I get the carb rebuilt I just get out and tap the carb with a hammer. So far it's worked every time.

Only thing is I think your motor has 3 carbs. I'm not sure how your motor would act if 1 carb shut down.

What stood out to me in your first post was that your problem seemed to "fix itself" on the tow in. That's why I'm thinking of things that would "fix themselves".....by cooling off....being bounced around...etc.

 

[DJ]

Re: What the heck was that??

"THE BIG RED CONNECTOR, under the hood"

Everybody assumes once connected-good.

No, that connector needs to be looked and maintained.

 

[chasin tails]

Re: What the heck was that??

Thanks for all of the advice, I will try it all!!