Need motor help 2003 Johnson 175

[triton220lts]

I have a 2003 Johnson 175HP motor that is hard to crank and stalling.


The motor runs ok when it is first taken off the trailer (motor still cold). The stalling only occurs after the motor has heated up and is stopped and it sits a while.


Here is the scenario,…….. I launch and run the boat for 30 minutes or however long it takes me to get to a spot, I stop the motor to fish, I fish for a while say another 30 minutes or so. I try to crank the motor and it is hard to keep started, it idles rough and will die if I do not put it in ‘fast idle’. After I put in it gear it will stall 10 times before it wants to run. It runs fine after it finally gets going and it does not hesitate when you accelerate. It only has a hard time restarting after the motor sits for a while. It will start and run fine if the motor is turned off and restarted within 5 minutes.



I’ve taken it to have this issue looked at 2 times. Both times I’ve taken it to LMC Marine off I-45 and Airtex and they have not fixed the issue after spending more than $500.00



The first time they ‘cleaned and adjusted the carbs’

The second time I took it back and told them it was doing the same thing. This time they water tested the boat to see if they could reproduce the problem, they did. The service tech said it had a ‘heat soaking’ issue and recommended replacing the water pump/impeller. I picked it up last Thurs and ran it on Sun; it was doing the same thing.



Has anyone had this issue and know a fix

Any help would be 2cool.

[Hooked]

May simply need to replace the primer bulb. If yours is a carbed motor it may be the same problem I had with my '87 Johnson 225. The primer bulb loses pressure and not enough gas getting to the motor until you've revved it/run it for a few minutes again. After sitting try pumping the bulb until it's hard then try starting it. Even though I replaced the bulb mine continued the problem and Acie told me that with the newer fuels you get evaporation from the carb bowls causing the problem So now I always pump the bulb after sitting for more than 15 minutes or so and it's solved my problem. Also, raise the 'out' end of the bulb higher that the 'in' side so the valve works best holding the pressure.

[triton220lts]

Thanks for the response, I replaced the primer bulb before it went into the shop the first time (1 1/2months ago) thinking that could have been the issue but it didn't help.

[rkerhs409]

I highly recommend Holliday Marine in Huffman (281) 324-6739. He is always going to schools on the newest Johnson/Evinrude motors. I took my boat to him and he water tested it before and after the repairs. Mine was kinda doing the same thing as yours and he found that my timing and carbs were off adjustment.

[triton220lts]

I highly recommend Holliday Marine in Huffman (281) 324-6739. He is always going to schools on the newest Johnson/Evinrude motors. I took my boat to him and he water tested it before and after the repairs. Mine was kinda doing the same thing as yours and he found that my timing and carbs were off adjustment.
Thanks I'll call them

[Laguna Freak]

1) How many hours on the engine since the powerhead was de-carboned? carbon build up in the powerhead completely changes the compression ratio which changes all operating parameters. De-carboning is easy and cheap.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/007656.html check it out.

2) Otherwise it sounds like a spark issue. My 1999 evinrude FICHT had the wrong crank position sensor which made it run less than optimal. Oh yeah it was installed by the servicing dealer...can you say lazy dumba**?
Check your plugs, fouling, gap, etc. then test your ignition coils for spec ohms.

If you want PM me and I'll be happy to offer any other diagnostic help I can. But I'd start with these two first.

[triton220lts]

Thanks for the info.

I've never de-carboned the motor and it probably has 350-400 hours. I'll try that this weekend, sounds relatively easy. I'll also replace the spark plugs.

Thanks again!!

[texhost]

I'd take it to stone and sons. They really understand OMC products. It will not leave the shop until it is correct.

[HTownBoi281]

theres only 1 certified johnson/omc technician in houston and he's at northshore marine on uvalde...i've talked to him and he REALLY knows johnson's...i'd give him a ring

[Laguna Freak]

Triton,

I recommend using the Sea Foam product and letting it sit at least overnight. In fact if you put her on the hose in the driveway tonight you can get her loaded up with Sea Foam and let her soak for a few days. It won't hurt.

When you back down the ramp to start her up after soaking be prepared for hydro-locked cylinders. You might even want to lower the engine in the driveway and hand crank it with plugs removed right before you head to the ramp. Caution...the wife may get upset if you leave a big black puddle in the driveway.


I do this with my 1999 175 Evinrude FICHT and have had to remove spark plugs and rotate the crank by hand to free the hydro-lock. The de-carbon process makes a huge difference in improved performance. Be sure to put new plugs in after you blow out the carbon goop with the old plugs. I'd do it before getting out of the water so you can evaluate the performance immediatley.


BTW, are you sure that's a carbeurated engine? I didn't think BRP made in large HP carbeurated engines in 2003.

Good Luck. Please post your results.

[Laguna Freak]

Oh yeah...BRP recommends de-carboning every 50 hours.

[locolobo]

Mine did that from the get-go. After it was warmed up I had to choke it in high idle to start, and it idled real rough. Tough to get into gear without dying. Ran good above 1000 rpm. Bought mine at Boat sucker, I mean, Super store. Their head mechanic said " it is a carb motor. Doesn't idle as good as an injected motor." B.S. Ive never owned an injected motor. Took it to Bartlett motors in Lake Jackson (closest dealer). They replaced the evaporator cannister and it has been running good ever since.

[Livin2Fish]

If your near Dickinson, take it to Acie's on 646 (281) 339-3871. I have the same motor and take mine there for all the servicing. I've been real pleased with the work & knowledge that he has.

[triton220lts]

Well..... I decarbed the motor this past weekend, man I couldn't believe all the sludge that came out but I still have the same issue. I took it to Strack's Marine in Spring, I'll post the results after I get it back and water test it.

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions!