1990 Johnson 175 GT - Won't start right off the trailer

[mic0157]

Hey guys, per rule #1 this is a 1990 Johnson 175GT Serial R8290367 on a 1989 skeeter.I have recently put a new power pack, champion plugs, and a starter on and the motor does not want to fire up coming off the trailer.

I can sit there and crank on it, on and off, for about 15 minutes and get nowhere. The starter keeps kicking out like it almost wants to start but doesn't. For the past few times at the ramp, I've pushed the boat off the trailer and used to trolling motor to get over to my dock about 100 yards away. I'll crank on it some while docked without using the choke and still no fire. It will sit for about 30 minutes and I can usually get it started with the throttle all the way forward. Once it starts that first time, it runs great and I can fish all day without a problem starting and stopping at different spots.

Now before its brought up, I use the choke sparingly so that it won't flood with fuel. I've done that plenty. This is different. It almost wants to start but then decides not to. I can smell the fuel so I'm sure its getting to the engine. Plus, there is a fitting almost like a tire valve that will spit fuel if I stay on the choke too much, which also tells me the gas is getting that far.

Thoughts? Help?

[Lockjaw]

You have to use the choke. What I did on my Gt175 is pump the bulb a few times, and then when I turned on the ignition, I usually pushed in the key several times to prime it, then then turned it over while keeping the key pushed in.

The acting like it wants to start means it needs more fuel.

Do you have a foot throttle or a regular one?

[jwd]

timer base mine did the same thing than one day it just quit all together 1990 gt 150

[Sportwin]

That "red valve that looks like a tire valve" is the fuel primer. It shouldn't be leaking.
The primer is activated when the key is on and you push the key in. The fact that it's leaking means the "cap" that contains the red valve is probably cracked.

The fuel leak can cause a big bang if a spark is present.

You should address this issue first.

[GL1]

Second vote for Timerbase. Identical to what my 1990 GT150 did. Check spark when it is acting up.

[Mark Wendler]

My 1989 200XP did the same exact thing when I got it. Turned out to be a split hose on the top of the primer valve. I, also, thought that the smell of the fuel meant that the engine was getting enough fuel. What I was really smelling was the fuel leaking from the primer valve. This split hose also created a vacuum leak to the manifold, which only compounded the problem.Once the split hose was fixed, my problem was solved. No longer do I sit at the ramp trying to get the old beast to fire up.

Do yourself a favor and fix that primer valve!!

[mic0157]

Thanks for the reply. Okay the primer valve it is with an inspection of the hoses. Question, is this a repair or a replace on the primer valve? Either way, I store my boat over 100 miles away and I don't want to go out there with the wrong parts. I might just bring it back to town for some TLC.

It just didn't sound like enough fuel was getting to it, so thanks for the tips.

Anything else I need to look at?

[Sportwin]

You need to determine if it is indeed a leaking primer cap/valve or hose.

If is the cap/valve, you can buy a new cap and remove and insert the old valve in new cap. P/N 437228 cap & gasket.

[mic0157]

Okay, I went ahead and bought the primer cap. Now, for the hoses. Are the fuel hoses in the engine the same as those on the outside? For instance, are the fuel manifold lines leading to the primer pump and then to the carbs the same as those running from the fuel tank back?

I need to have all my parts in order before I head to the lake. The boat is stored on a lake about 100 miles away.

Thanks

[Mark Wendler]

No, the hoses attached to the primer are smaller in diameter. I will look tonight and see if I can get the sizes.

[Mark Wendler]

No sizes were noted on the lines.......sorry.

[ChampioNman]

You'll need to go to your dealer as they cut from bulk.

[mic0157]

Okay, the primer caps came in. I should be able to take that to a marine dealer and get hte bulk hoses right??

[Mark Wendler]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mic0157 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Okay, the primer caps came in. I should be able to take that to a marine dealer and get hte bulk hoses right??</TD></TR></TABLE>


That would be correct for the smaller & medium sized hose. I do believe that there was 3 different sizes of hoses under my cowl.

[mic0157]

Awe crap. Alright, now I'll hunt down a local Johnson / Evinrude marine dealer and see if the can provide the parts. The problem with that is that I don't think there are too many around here. Oh well, we'll work this out some way.

Thanks

[ChampioNman]

OK very carefully remove the hoses from your primer cap and carbs and lable them then bring the whole wing ding to your local Marine dealer, they should have the hoses in stock. They will cut to lenght. Just when you install them make no kinks or you will have problems. You will have to make the cuts.

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

Actually, you got one of the best omc men around down in your neck of the woods, just finding him is the hard part!!!!!!!!!!

[mic0157]

Is there a name to this OMC man?

I may have to do that. There are several service men out at the lake so maybe I could just take them to a local.

[mic0157]

Bada Bing..... Crack in the red primer valve. Replaced it and it started up as normal.

Thanks everybody

Have one on me......

[trisonmike]

I have a 1992 254 with an Evinrude 70 HP motor,and mine does the same exact thing. I troll out to get away from other boats not to embarras myself. Everything you said is right on.
The only tip I have heard is to be wure the motor is tilted alll the way doem before pumping the ball. Even that did not help.
I took my boat to C&O for a tune up,new plugs,etc. It still does the same thing. I was also told I was flooding it. Please pst any feeback you get. Thanks