1989 Johnson GT 150 cold start

[VolsFan24]

The 2 times I took the boat out it took a few minutes to get the engine going and idling. This only happens at the ramp. Once I get her going and idling fine, she works fine. Its just that initial attempt at getting her going. I fill the bulb, push in key for choke, and even give it some gas in neutral (previous owner told me to). Like i said, turns on quickly and idles fine once its been warmed up, the "problem" is when its cold. And the battery is good. What suggestions do you guys have? Carb rebuild kit?

 

[arngee]

I find with my Johnny200 that if i level the engine (relative to the water line) at initial start, it does better as mine too is a cold starter

 

[Carl]

if you are using ethonal gas, stabil will help a lot.

 

[VolsFan24]

Ill have to try that. The motor was trimmed up both times, not out of water, but not level with water.
Would seafoam be like stabil? Or 2 completely different things? I put some seafoam in last time i filled tank.

 

[BulletTJ]

I had that exact same motor as did several of my friends. That is the most cold natured motor I have ever owned. Make sure the fuel primer bulb is pumped up. Level the motor before trying to start. Then I would hold the choke in and turn the key. It would usually take a couple of tries but it would fire on the second attempt most of the time. Like yours it was fine after that. The only other problem with the GT 150 is the amount of fuel it drank. On a up side it is on tough engine and never gave me a minutes problem. I tried changing the spark plugs to help with the cold start problem. NOTHING helped. Good luck and good fishing.

 

[Mansell82]

I find that my '86 Evinrude 150 starts quicker if I prime it before I leave the house or gas station.

 

[EricM]

My Johnson 150 (and my 140 before that) requires some throttle in neutral and extra choke while it is sputtering when cold. Leveling the motor will help a lot when cold too. New spark plugs often help a bit if you are running rather old plugs. Don't worry, it is just the nature of these engines to be hard to keep running when cold. After that first start, if it runs and starts well for the rest of the day, I wouldn't be concerned about a carb rebuild. Enjoy!

 

[VolsFan24]

Thanks for the help. Would it be a bad idea to get it started on the hose at home before I head out (about 30 minutes +/-). I know I shouldnt run the RPMs above like 1500 i believe. I plan on going out 100% on my own for the first time this weekend. Hopefully i get it going quickly with all the suggestions.

 

[DinkDink]

Mine does the exact same thing. Now I give it some throttle when I'm cranking it. When it fires off I just rev it a few times. This has been the trick for mine. I was in the same situation at the ramp trying to get it to idle. But the rest of the day it's great. Hope this helps. Mine is an 81 Johnson 150

 

[south599]

Yep ill try to prime my motor leaving it close to level around 30 minutes before i go to start it and then prime it again beforestarting it with the choke. Mines gotten mostly new electronics due to failures so it idles easy now. Also while it is warming itll start to die and as it does bumping the choke till its good. I also have a couple of small relief holes in the lower unit that make idlong easier as well. They do make it louder on plane so that one has pros and cons.

 

[Hook1]

I think this is common with any carbed two stroke engine. I always get a little humbled at the ramp by all the new and quiet four strokes that seem to crank immediately at the push of a button. Oh well is all I can say as mine revs up slows down and fries to stall a couple times. But like you said once you get it going it'll crank fine the rest of the day.

 

[R-boatless]

I have an 87 Evinrude and it was the same way. So I now prime the bulb, push the choke a few times, turn it over; then push the choke a couple times, and hold the choke in while turning over till it starts. It sounds like a lot, saying it, but its not much and it has really helped. On a rare occasion I will have to push the choke in after it starts, to keep it running. Because when I push the gas it will stall, so pushing the choke works better. Hope this helps. It is less trouble than putting it on the hose.

 

[275prostratos]

if your leaving your motor trimmed up while primmin the bulb that may be part of problem, try trimming it down first then prime it .

 

[VolsFan24]

I definately have it trimmed up when priming. Im going to charge my batteries and hopefully get my fishfinder all wired up so I can hit the water on sunday and try priming it at home with motor trimmed down. Then putting transom saver back on. Hitting the lake and trimming motor to level and prime again. Then hold key in for about 5-10 seconds before I turn it. Then if it turns on and sound like its going to die, i will push the key in and choke it again. If it doesnt turn on, then ill give it gas in neutral before I choke and try again. Am I missing anything? Ill let you guys know how she does.

 

[south599]

You are missing one step. Have fun!

 

[wsche9]

Check your choke solenoid. They go bad or stick closed.

 

[Oldman]

yep make sure the choke is working.

 

[VolsFan24]

Heres an update. Got my Lowrance fishfinder hooked up at the console (only functioning one i have). I charged the batteries all day yesterday and when I woke up, the blue power light was still on but neither the charging, float, nor "go fish" lights are on. Needless to say, my trolling batteries didnt charge. On another note, i was making sure the push in choke was working and something happened because it melted the insulation and a spark landed on the carpeting on inside the consol and started smoking. Almost started a small fire, but I was quick to handle it by blowing while i had my new fire extinguisher in hand. Does that mean its not connected to a fuse panel? On a separate note (haha see the pattern here), the screws for new transom mount were a little bit bigger than previous, so they were tight when screwing in. Well one decided to strip completely before it was completely screwed in. So now 1 of the screws on the transducer mount is loose about 1/16 on an inch. I piled silicone sealant on it (bad idea?).

 

[south599]

Thats strange that your charger isnt holding the crossflows are known for have an electronic system that constantly drains the battery even while sitting. I put a power switch next to my battery to cut the positive wire when its sitting. Also how are the battery water levels. The spark sounds like a crossed wire or melted wire. The choke shouldnt run through any fuse on board. Though your tachometer runs off the ignition wires.

 

[RiverCanyonBass]

Yes, it is a cold natured motor and even more so in hotter weather. The trick I use is making sure the bulb is firm after it coughs and sputters and almost starts. Usually fires right up and runs after that. Mine will get stubborn again in hot weather after several hours of trolling and not cranking.

I had one of those 3 bank BPS chargers a few years ago and it quit a month after warranty and BPS said there was nothing they could do. No discounts on new one or nothing. Like the Minn Kota I replaced it with.