won't start or stay running

[javelinbasser]

one thing after another, I was fishing last Thursday night and ran to my first spot just fine. I fished for about an hour and started the motor, and when I put it in gear it died. It did this seven or eight times before I finally got it to stay running long enough to get it in gear and take off. Halfway to the ramp it completely died as if someone flipped a light switch. I took it to fish and fun and had it checked out, they notice a ground wire that was loose and thought that would solve the problem. I took the boat to the lake, it started then. After idling for about 30 seconds. I could not get it to restart again. could this be a fuel pump issue? Or something electrical? It is a 96 model Johnson venom 225. I hear the fuel pump turn on...I meant to add if I hold wide open throttle it starts but dies instantly

 

[Justfishin]

I had a1990 johnson did almost the same if its the fuel pump u can have someone to pump the bulb an if it runs its probably the fuel pump

 

[javelinbasser]

OK I will try that first...thanks

 

[javelinbasser]

It has a Holly electric fuel pump....will the bulb test still apply?

 

[luv2fsh]

You should not hear a fuel pump running unless someone has put a electric pump on it

 

[javelinbasser]

Yeah its electric

 

[basspsycho]

Filled both my tanks a few months ago(ethanol) boat ran like normal.
Used up 1tank. Didn't get back out for 3weeks. When I did, motor would
Crank and idle just fine. Put in gear and would die. Over and over. Tinkered
With it, (Checked fuel lines, cleaned carbs)took it out, same thing. Crank and
idle perfectly but die. Dumped gas
got new(again ethanol). Started and ran perfectly. Head scratcher

 

[javelinbasser]

Dang....I've never ran ethanol and always use Stabil. It sounds fuel related to me but I'm clueless on this one

 

[snsellers1]

Check your spark plugs, that could possibly be the issue if its not idling.

 

[javelinbasser]

I just put new ones in last month but I will recheck them

 

[275prostratos]

if you have a electric pump then the primer bulb isn't the problem , how old is your holley red top , could be its crapped out .

 

[javelinbasser]

Its only a little over a year old I think.... Motor was rebuilt a year ago but could possibly be a used pump on it

 

[south599]

Do you have a timing light or spark plug tester? Hook those up to the coils and youll be able to make sure you are getting spark everywhere. If no spark maybe rectifier. Id also check how old that holley may be.

 

[river rat]

You might try taking the Holley out of the line and just use the primer bulb that should tell you if the Holley is bad

 

[javelinbasser]

OK thanks for the tips....I will post what I find out

 

[275prostratos]

easiest way to tell woulb be to go buy a in line gauge for about 6 or 7 bucks from oriellys and install after the pump ,then you will know, should have 6-7 psi constant , im betting its power pack myself.

 

[javelinbasser]

Just put a new power pack on last month....could stator cause symptoms like this?

 

[275prostratos]

yep sure could

 

[south599]

New power packs can fail as well. Just gotta test each part of the system. My motor has two packs and will run with 3 cylinders with a bad pack.

 

[javelinbasser]

OK...this is a single pack that runs all 6 cylinders. Guess I need to check ea h plug for fire too