Motor Stalling

[CharlieP]

I just tried to get the boat in the water for the first time this year (1986 with the same year johnson but new to me). The motor ran fine in the driveway with muffs on. As i went to launch, the motor started right up, but cut out as soon as I trimmed it down. When it was trimmed fully up it would start and run, but as soon as it went down, it died. The motor seemed to be getting enough fuel when the fuel cutoff switch was fully open. Actually, there was some fuel dripping out and pooling. Any ideas? I am new to this and want to cover the bases before I take it to someoone who is backed up and going to charge me an arm and a leg.

It is a good thing I mad my Dad up so early this morning for a fishing trip....damn.

Thanks,

Charlie

[CharlieP]

no ideas? crap that can't be good

[DaleH]

The motor ran fine in the driveway with muffs on. Charlie:

First off, no motor diagnosis can be made when she runs on muffs other than "she starts" ... or maybe ... "she doesn't start". There's no exhaust backpressure when running on muffs.

When it was trimmed fully up it would start and run, but as soon as it went down, it died. The motor seemed to be getting enough fuel when the fuel cutoff switch was fully open. Actually, there was some fuel dripping out and pooling.I wonder if she isn't running too rich ... ? Trimming her up would shut off the carb bowl feed and pull fuel away from the throttle plate, ports et al, hence the pooling. Dumb question for you ... you didn't inadvertantly leave the manual choke lever in the ON position did you? That would cause some symptoms of the problems you're experiencing.

Check that above and this stuff to follow, then chime in back here. What does she sound like when she stalls? When you have it running (trimmed up, if that's the only way she'll run), press in on the key to choke the motor. What happens? What does it sound like?

[CharlieP]

reel,

thanks for the response. i will check this out today. i am new at this, so bear with me. what i thought was a fuel shutoof was the fuel solenoid and the red lever is the manual over ride? the engine starts when i put that on...is that the choke to which you refer? i have a parts manual on order and should be coming soon.

as i lower the motor, it is a gradual shutting down...almost like it is running out of fuel. yesterday i ran her up, started to lower, hear it start to die out and raised it. it would kick in asit started to elevate.

i will definitely try the choke when i get out of work.

again, thanks for the help.

charlie

[RogerStg]

Do I understand this correctly? Are you starting the motor fully tilted up so that the prop is out of the water?

If so, stop doing that because the lower unit should be in the water to feed the water pump.

Also, it is probable that you are flooding the engine as the excess fuel that has accumulated in the carberator due to its angle, is dumped into the motor.

[albacized]

I agree with the carb issue...

[loon]

You said the boat was " new to you". Do you know how it was winterized: fuel tank drained, full & stabilizer, partial? The symptoms sound like water in the fuel is one of the definite posibilities.

[CharlieP]

OK guys ...you are all officially on my Christmas card list. Roger, I was starting it with muffs on and, yes, I had the motor trimmed fully. Your suggestion was the easiest for me to implement so I started there. Viola. When I lowered the engine, a bit (ummm...more than a bit) of gas leaked out. I turned the key and she started and ran strong. I am still thinking about taking it to a mechanic just to make sure that the good mojo stays.

Thanks for all of your time, responses and patience. I am sure that I will be back with a ton of questions and I am waiting for the time in which I can thanks you guys for doing the same.

Charlie