86 Johnson 15 hp

[jbrooks2144]

I have already posted on this once but i lost the thread. Sorry, I test to spark plugs after I replaced them and I do see a spark. I also payed with the kill switch... the carbs have already been cleaned and the motor still does seem to even try to start! Anyone have any other ideas? The roller for the cam follower seems to stick but does anyone know how much this affects the start?

Any suggestions will help!

 

[Johny25]

Hmm well I don't know about your other thread because I never saw it but is the motor a rope start? Do you have fuel and spark? Kill switch key is in the handle? Turns over but nothing happens?

 

[JMichael]

More information might be helpful, such as some of it's history if you have it. Has the motor been running up to this point or do you know the last time it ran? What happened that lead up to the motor not running.

Just because it has spark, doesn't mean the spark is sufficient for the engine to run. It needs to be a strong blue spark. How is the compression? Are the plugs getting wet with gas when you try to start it?

 

[jbrooks2144]

I just bought the motor and the guy said it ran about 2 years ago but it had just been sitting around.. It is a rope start and the kill switch is on the handle. I pull the rope and nothing happens! I wouldn't consider the spark blue.. more like orange. And the plugs are not wet..

 

[JMichael]

Well that's 2 bad signs right off the start. Orange is weak spark and not good. Are the plug wires old/cracking? Have you checked the plug wire ends to make sure they are clean and fit tight in the coils and on the plugs? Plugs not getting wet means that's most likely going to require a carb cleaning and/or rebuild.

 

[Johny25]

A carb rebuild is a must being that it sat for 2 years, and that means removing the welch plugs and all. Soak overnight and clean all jets and orifices with guitar string or something similar.

 

[jbrooks2144]

Should the plugs get wet when I pump gas into the engine with the hand pump?

 

[JMichael]

If by "hand pump" you mean the primer bulb that's built in to the fuel line, the answer is no. The primer bulb is just to provide initial prime to the fuel pump and to fill the carb's float bowl.

the carb rebuild being a must

is not exactly accurate IMO. While it may be likely or needed in the majority of cases, I've seen situations where they have been stored for much longer than 2 years and need nothing more than a good cleaning. It really depends a lot on how they were prepped before being put in storage and what the storage exposure conditions were. One extreme example I can give from personal experience is the little 1966 3.9 merc my dad bought back in the 60's. The motor was stored in the 70's when he upgraded to a 20hp. I inherited the motor 3 years ago and after rebuilding the fuel pump, new plug, new water pump, new lower unit oil, and cleaning the carb, it runs great. After it's warm, I can start it by spinning the flywheel with my bare hands.

 

[Johny25]

I was going off the fact that someone else had it sitting for 2 years and not jbrooks. Meaning I don't trust anyone and the fact it does not run is a good reason not to trust that the seller had any knowledge of how to take care of the motor or store it properly. I do it to all motors I buy just so I have peace of mind. Thats why I gave the advice to rebuild the carb and I stand by it

I do understand your point Jmicheal and I don't have to rebuild my carbs when my motors sit for awhile but I know I take care of them correctly.