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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Finally an engine problem

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/22/2004 : 11:43:55

After swearing by my previous '83 Evinrude Yachtwin and current '96 Johnson Sailmaster 2 stroke electric start engines, I'm now swearing at mine.

This year I picked my '96 Johnson Sailmaster, which I bought in '99 as a new leftover, up from my mechanic where I had it tuned up and stored for the winter and I've had nothing but of problems starting it when it hasn't been run for a while.

At first I thought that the problem was burning off the fogging oil, but the problem has persisted. The strange thing is once I get it stated (when it smokes like the dickens for a short while), it runs extremely cleanly, smoothly and doesn't stall, even at maximum low idle.

After I run it for some time, it starts in about 1/10 second with the electric start or the first time with 1/2 pull on the rope and runs great for the entire day, but the next day, once again, it's all but impossible to start. I started the season, as always, with fresh fuel.

I removed it from my boat while it's in the slip which is quite a job and I'm sure not looking forward to reversing the procedure. Anyway it's back at the shop; does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

Mark;thread-killer extraordinaire, Silver Girl, '83, tall rig/Mk. V, lead fin keel #3744

Edited by - on

Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:39:52

I've got the 1990 Sailmaster. After a teardown to address numerous problems it now runs very similar to yours. Initial start is slow. 5-6 pulls or a good long electric crank. After the initial start it idles and runs great with re-start very easy.

I'm not messing with it. It is running better now than it ever has and I can deal with the hard start after sitting for a week.

We just got back from a trip that saw many newer motors fail, ours ran fine.

I'd be interested in what the shop tells you though.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 13:08:36

We sould have a swear at the outboards club. My 96 sailmaster is an ongoing saga. I have had it for about a year with a host of carb problems. I finally gave up and decided to let a PRO work on it for the slim price of $60 an hour. 2 hours worth later he gave me the engine back. It is now running super rich. He said it needed to come back and is not charging for additional labor. I appears that the main jet was modified by the PO.The car on these motors seem to be a compromise to say the least with its one size fits all design. To get the motor off and on, I put the marina dinghy under the tilted up motor and lift it off. Not fun but doable. That new Tohatsu has never looked better............

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 18:55:05

Thanks guys, the funny thing is that the '96 Johnson ran great since I bought it new in '99 and now it is virtually impossible to start cold. I still have my '83 Evinrude Yachtwin which is essentially the same motor and it never gave me any trouble at all from the time I got it along with my boat till the time I replaced it simply because it seemed to be getting a little long in the tooth. The Johnson runs quietly and smoothly and the problem only is in starting it when it has been laid up for a day or two. I agree that the problem is probably with the carb. Up to this point the Johnson has been a terrific, reliable outboard.

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2004 : 11:21:09

I just got off the phone with my mechanic and he determined that it is the powerpack, rather than the carb that is the culprit. Naturally the powerpack on the '96 Johnson is more "advanced" than the one on my '83 Evinrude so of course it is the source of my problem.

I too thought all the signs pointed to a carb problem.

It seems I was getting an extremely weak spark so the engine would only start easily when everything was already hot. My mechanic, Bliss Marine in Staten Island is usually extremely competent as well as reliable; unfortunately one of his guys, after having it tuned up and stored over the winter, returned my engine to me this spring without testing it although he assured me that he had.

Anyway if I don't drop it into the briny when I try to reinstall it at my slip this weekend I should be back in business. It just goes to show you that nothing associated with boating is 100% trouble free, even a 4 year old 2 stroke that still looks factory new under the cover.

I just wanted to pass this info along to Doug and anyone else is having a similar problem with their outboard.

Thanks to those who tried to help me out.

Edited by - on

Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2004 : 14:40:49

Thanks for the update. I'll have to check my manuals to see if there is an easy test for the powerpack.

Let me know how it runs when you get it back on the boat.

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oldsalt
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 21:59:27

Doug, the power pack has been replaced and the problem has been completely resolved. The engine starts immediately electrically or manually, hot or cold. And all for only $199.00 (and having to remove and reinstall the engine with the boat in the slip).

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