motor wont crank

[teelman]

I have a 91 or 92 150 Johnson FastStrike. I applogize at this this time I do not have the model number. I can provide that info when I get home afer 6pm Eastern today.

I went to Harris Lake this AM to take advantage of some hopefully rising water. Well, I get out there and cant get the motor cranked.

This is the startup routine I have followed since I bought the boat in April:
1. Pump the fuel bulb until it's tight
2. Pump the oil bulb (it's always been tight and not needed but I usually give it a squeeze anyway)
3. Pull the choke all the way up.
4. Push in on the key for 10 sec
5. Turn the key.

I may have to turn the key a few times or play with the choke, but that's always been about it.

Well, today, I went through the routine and it seemed to me the engine never fired. Usually it will fire, run for a sec and cut off, then I play with the choke until I get it right and I'm fine for the rest of the day. But, no such luck today.

So, i pull the cowl off and look at the plugs. Everything is fine on the starboard side, but I found on the port side that EVER PLUG WAS LOOSE and there was a little oil leaking from the bottom two.

So, I grabbed some paper towels and wiped the plugs clean, and did the best I could with the holes.

But, still it didnt start.

So, I pulled the boat out of the water and went home.

Motor ran fine last time I was out. Seemed a little harder to start last time, but I thought it was just because I hadnt run the boat for like 2 weeks.

Any help for ideas to start troubleshooting?

Thanks

Chad




Modified by teelman at 12:54 PM 9/1/2006

[ProcraftMike]

Here is where I would start. I would check to make sure you are getting a spark at the plugs. If you are, clean up the plugs good or replace them if they are old. Take it down and try to start it again. If it won't start, choke it real good, then pull the plugs and see if they are wet with gasoline. If you have spark and gas, it should run (in general terms), or at least it should show some type of life. If the plugs are dry, you have a fuel delivery problem.

I'm not sure, but I don't think choking the motor for 10 seconds before you crank it is actually doing anything. When cold, I normally start choking mine the same time as I start cranking it over. After it starts, I choke it for a couple of seconds and it usually stays running after that.

[ChampioNman]

About 5 seconds with the key to choke motor level, release choke, crank, no fire, depress key 5 seconds, crank. Should fire or try to if everything is good working order then feather choke if needed. fast idle should work, with a tap of the key. Motor should come up to temp in a few minutes.

Your problem, start or try to start on the muffs, if no go pull the plugs and check condition (wet). If wet put in vice and hit them with a propane torch and glow them up red. Let them cool back down (it will take a while) and put them back in. While you are waiting for them to cool, pull the KS, move the plug leads out of the way of the plug holes and spin the motor in short bursts for about 1 minute. This will blow out all excess fuel. Re-install plugs/wires and re-attach the KS. Give the bulb a squeeze and try it with no choke. Should go.

[teelman]

Thanks for the responses. When I got home, I pulled the port side plugs and cleaned them up really well. Then cleaned up any excess oil/fuel mixture in the holes I could get to. Let it sit overnight. Then today, when I got a chance, I tried to start it and it fired just fine.

Thanks for the help guys. Thank goodness it was just flooded. I hate that it kept me from going on Fri. But maybe it was best as it was pretty windy and I was alone and I didnt see anyone else on the lake while I was there.

Thanks again

chad