Little by little and motor problem

[VolsFan24]

I know it doesnt seem like much but I feel like I have put in a lot of hours into my boat(dont we all) Haha. Here are a few pictures of what ive done. Finally installed both new windshields (put a nice crack when drilling 1 of the holes!!!! But not too bad). Installed a Humminbird 997c at the console with a RAM mount (will be epoxying 2D transducer soon but SI transducer is mounted and works). Installed a Lowrance Elite 5 HDI at the bow also with a RAM mount. I replaced both bilge pumps with 800 gph which were biggest for the hoses. Cleaned up some wiring and replaced kill switch which wasnt working. I want to do the full Pro-Tec restoration/cleanup when it gets colder and i dont use boat as much. After that, hydrodip dash and passenger console little cabinet door. Then carpet, seats, and paint motor then I think shes done!

On a sad note, couldnt get her started the other day and just tried on the muffs but wont turn on. Im getting the same sound as if the kill switch were engaged, but ive taken the boat out at least 10 times since I replaced the old kill switch. I checked the splices and they look good. So basically the motor turns over but wont turn on. Like no spark or no fuel. It seems like gas is leaking and when I was on the water and couldnt get it to start the smell of gas was more than usual. The plugs look like theyre in good condition but are NGK and everything i read online says my 89 Johnson GT 150 should use some Champion plugs. Any suggestions before I take it to get looked at and spend a minimum of $100 even if nothing is wrong. Thanks guys.

 

[VolsFan24]

Is there anything I can check or do that Im missing before I take her to mechanic tomorrow?

 

[south599]

Wd-40 in the switch just in case. Look at all fuses i found one near my starter solenoid once. Its possibly the rec/reg. Spark plugs are not likely to cause this. I would change those though.

 

[BulletDeuce]

Check your fuel lines & primer bulb. Ethanol can & will break these down over time.

 

[wrechin2]

Are you able to test for spark? With the cowl off and you press in the key do you hear an audible click? If it has spark on all cylinders then it is fuel. I have seen the primer solenoid go bad and it will not "choke" the engine thus will not start.

 

[spnplgr]

I would get someone to hold his hand over the air intake(s) while trying to start her up (on muffs, of course) just to see if it is a non functioning choke. If it starts this way, have the person covering the air intake to let in a small amount of air to keep it running. Otherwise it will shut down very quickly due to lack of air. I have used this method for years to start an engine when the choke (or enricher) has failed to work properly.

 

[wrechin2]

On this engine it has a manual primer. It has a red lever on the primer solenoid that after the bulb is pumped firmly you turn the lever 90 degrees and then press the bulb about 1/2 way and then return the lever to the original position. This injects fuel behind the carburetors and makes it start the same way as pressing in the key.

 

[VolsFan24]

Thanks guys. When I push the key in I do hear an audible click. And ever since Ive had the boat (a few months) ive only used 100% gas and still always put stabil marine. I will try priming it manually with the red lever to see what happens, if that doesnt work then im going to try covering the air intakes. If still no luck, i think its time for someone with knowledge to look at it. I read somewhere that my spark plugs should have some darker color to them? Mine look pretty clean, does that mean Im not using enough oil in my premix gas? A 50:1 mix means I use about 12-13 oz of oil for every 5 gal of gas right? And it seems like gas is leaking from the bottom left spark plug if youre looking at motor from prop.
The pics are from this morning and the last time I tried to start her was yesterday around 2 pm. I dont know if that means anything, just giving as much info as i can.

 

[south599]

Easier to remeber is 6gal- 1 pint- 16oz. I have a cup marked for 1 pint i keep in the boat.if thats your fuel thats not good. Was the spark plug loose?

 

[VolsFan24]

Plug isnt loose. Maybe its water. Im assuming since it still looks wet the day after that its gas. But after rubbing some off and smelling it, it doesnt smell like gas so I dont think it is. Im just going to take it in and have them check everything. I didnt have a mechanic look it over when I bought it, but i did have a buddy of mine with me that has somewhat of a clue when it comes to outboards. Its ran great every time out and after getting it to cold start after 2-3 cranks she turns on and runs perfectly. So this came without warning and Im just going to have everything checked out. Thanks for the advice guys, i really apreciate it.

 

[VolsFan24]

So they said its a power pack going bad. Said i wasnt getting spark, he banged on the power pack then 2 were firing, then he banged on it again and all 6 were firing. Then got it started up. Is it a bad decision to run it as is or should i bite the $ and change the power pack now? Would running it cause more problems?

 

[VolsFan24]

Ignore the last post, i went ahead and told them to change it for me. Thanks for the help guys. See yall on the water soon

 

[porthos33]

Shew hate to hear that one bud! I had my lower unit go out recently and just ended up buying another boat. Hope its not to costly

 

[south599]

Id keep your eyes open on ebay for a NOS one i got one for $60 and it stayed a spare for a month.

 

[south599]

Id keep your eyes open on ebay for a NOS one i got one for $60 and it stayed a spare for a month.

 

[VolsFan24]

Thanks for the info. Lets just say I payed ALOT more for the one i ordered. If I wasnt in a hurry to get it running because my brother is coming to town next week, I would have shopped around for one and tried to put it on myself. Boat should be ready tomorrow so that was faster than I anticipated and is the main reason I went ahead and had them take care of it for me.

 

[wrechin2]

Great to hear it wasn't anything major.

 

[VolsFan24]

So I got my boat back around 4. I had to test it out! Haha. I took boat in yesterday around 10:30 and got it back today. Great service and reasonable price. Boat started up perfectly and ran great. Thanks Fish N Fun guys, they even got my pedestal seats out! I tried like 10 times with no success. Haha

 

[river rat]

If you need any other parts I have some older Johnson parts Power packs ,coils trim and tilt unit etc

 

[VolsFan24]

Thanks river rat. Thats good to know since im sure i will need some in the future.