Went to start the boat up today, it started really hard, and kept dying on me. I finally got it started and took off, got about 400yd away from the dock, stopped to get something in the boat and the motor died. It wouldn’t start up after that. If i choke it, it starts, but only runs for a second until that fuel is burt up.
My guess is fuel pump, but does anyone else have any suggestions? I checked and replaced any hoses that looked suspect.
Bad fuel?
Just had that happen to me.
one thing to check would be your primer ball. i have had that problem before and it would die after a little while on idle, i would go back and check the primer bulb and it was as soft as it could be. pumped it up and it was good the rest of the day. it could be a slight crack or weathering in the bulb or the hose. i would check that first then try some differnt fuel. after running some new fuel through there doesnt work try running some sea foam through it also. if none of the above work then you are probally looking at some parts that are bad (fuel pump, Fuel filter). let us know how it goes and if you have any more questions.
Eric
So many possibilities for your problem. Let us know what type of motor you have. For example, fuel injection is much different then the older carburated motors.
It’s a 35hp 1980’s Johnson. It’s a carburated engine. Why would bad fuel make it run when choked, then die? My primer ball is brand new this season. Motor problems are frustrating….
Oh, and i forgot to mention, it ran awesome yesterday. I pulled tubers all day, lots of full throttle driving, and it ran great, which has me confused as to what it could be.
Fuel starvation…….That is why it runs when it is choked, because when choked, you have the right mix of air/fuel.
Being that it ran great the day before, my guess is that you have a filter/screen that has been plugged with debris???
Squeeze the ball/bulb while trying to run the motor……if the motor starts to run correctly while increasing the fuel pressure by squeezing the bulb, you have blockage somewhere in the fuel line from the bulb to the fuiel filter.
Was the vent on the tank accidently closed or is there a small air leak somewhere in the fuel hose and fittings. If its sucking a little air its loosing its prime and the fuel pump can’t pull gas from the tank, especially like gary said if you can squeez the primer bulb because its empty. Check to see if all the gasline fittings are fitting squarly on thier seat with another fitting. Also if there is any sediment in the fuel tank the filter in the gasline befor the gas enters the carb might be dirty or clogged.
The primer ball stays firm, and the fuel filter screen was clean. My guess is a gummed up carb, or a bad fuel pump. I need to have this motor ready for this weekend, so i’m going to re-build the carb and fuel pump ASAP!
Load her up with a can of SeaFoam and it will help.
I’ve had the same problem with not running long or not running even. I’ve rebuilt the carb and it ran fine after that, it does sound like a carb problem too. Make sure all the passages are clean with a good carb cleaner. Down here they have a cleaner in a spray can thats called Mag 1, its very good cleaner. Make sure the float is Set at the right level and the air screw passage is 1 1/2 turns out if you loose the count when you start to rebuild it. If you can turn the air mix needle in until it bottoms out and count the full turns and then each 1/4 to 1/8 of a turn, this is where the motor was running good befor. Back the boat into the water and give the air mix a final adjustment while the engine can stay cool and in gear.
Got fixed!!!! I just re-built the carb and she purrs like a kitten now. I didn’t really find any junk it the carb, but when i let it sit overnight in solvent, the slovent seemed to get a little black and dirty. Also, the float is supposed to hang 3/4″ down from the bottom of the carb body, and it was hanging 1″ down, so i adjusted that, not sure if that had anything to do with it…
Just to make sure she’s running great, i had better take her out on the Cedar tonight 
Glad to hear you got her fixed 
now you just have to get out in it and catch some fish, (or pull the tube)
good luck and have fun.
Eric
did the gas and oil get mixed right
also what brand of motor is it and what hp
Yeah, i know i mixed the oil/gas right, i just think it was time for a carb re-build. Now that it’s re-built, it runs like a top, absolutely incredible. It starts on the first turn immediately, idles flawlessly, and trolls a lot slower than before without dying. Also, i gained 2mph according to my GPS!
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