Onboard motor stop if don't push the gas hard

S

seattlesearay

New Member
Apr 17, 2016
10
Seattle
Boat Info
Sea Ray Open bow 18 ft, 1989
Engines
Johnson 100
I have 1989 Sea Ray open bow and Johnson 100hp on board motor. The engine is hard to start but works before. Now I have to push the gas hard to keep it run. Otherwise, it will stop.

What should I do? Any recommendation for a repair shop or repair man in Seattle Area?

Thanks!
 
Check fuel quality. Check spark, plug condition. Check/replace filter(s). With limited info, it's hard to say much more.
 
The 4 speakers are new. Fuel I think is OK. I just add the fuel one week ago. What is plug? How can check it. Thanks a lot of your quickly replay!
 
I heard some people said I may need to rebuild carburetor. I have no ideal about it. What's cost range to rebuild carburetor. BTW, I did checked the filter. It is OK. Thanks!
 
My 1981 20 Merc had similar problem. One coil was weak and would not work until you had 2/3 RPM. Replaced both coils and all is well.
 
It looks like coil could do the trick. Thanks a lot!

Other question, recently, when starting the engine, sometime I only heard click but nothing happens, then wait a while, I can hear the motor runs and engine start.

What could be the problem? Does this could be related with Coil as well?
 
So, Seattle Sea Ray. It seems like English is not your first language and this is your first boat. If so, we all want you to enjoy boating safely and help you accomplish that. However, your questions aren't very detailed. Plus, to know you are a real person and not a troll, maybe you could post a picture of your rig?

As far as the click, make sure your battery is fully charged. Also check the condition of the battery cables and connections. If they are dirty, clean them and apply dielectric grease. If any connections or splices are corroded, rewire them and seal them in heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.
 
You are right on! English is not my first language. Knowing a little about boat challenges me even more of this conversation.

One thing I am going to do ---- drain the gas from the tank. because the problem right start after I add gas which is different then I used before.

Thanks of your patient and helps!

Hope my poor English approved I am a real person
 
100 hp johnsons are old engines you can have any number of issues.. the newer 100 hp johnsons were commercial with v-6 gearcase and are still old 89-92 era.. weak stators and power paks causing weak spark, bad fuel lines from ethanol or just deteriorating from old age, needle and seats leaking flooding engine and so on..
 
As you're figuring out, sometimes these things can be hard to figure out via a forum. Fuel quality/supply is always a good place to start and it's relatively easy. Do you have one or two filters? There is likely one on the engine, and possibly one on the boat. If there's two, did you check both? Was there any water in them?

Your engine has a fuel bulb, right? Check it to make sure it's staying hard and not collapsing. If so, it could be failing... the lines could be bad... the vent could be blocked. If you suspect a blocked vent, just open your gas fill cap and see how it runs that way (protect it from water getting in, though). When you're having the issue, you could also try pumping the bulb to see if that changes anything.

It could very well be something else - but checking those things are pretty much "free" and don't need any special tools to check. The goal, especially via a forum, is to start with the easy things and try to eliminate variables.
 
When the coils went we were in Mexico. They replaced them from an other engine and the cost was $100. I would expect the same in Canada to cost $500. Based on the age of your motor if you just start swapping out parts you may find it very expensive. If you have limited knowledge you may want to consider a real mechanic. My parents had a cottage with old motors. We used to fix them all the time but in the end they became impossible to fix after I move away. They purchased new motors they could start.
 
I learn a lot. although this is a just a start, I can start with basic and free items to check into. Many thanks!
 
I add gas stabilizer and checked the filter. However I can't motor to start the engine now. I turn the key, I only heard one click. What should I check?

This happen before, if I wait for a while to try few more times, then the motor will run and start the engine. But now, there is nothing happen.

The battery should be fine. It is a new battery and only tree weeks.

Thanks!
 
recent issue sounds like the starter if you are sure you battery is fully charged. I would check the battery connections and cables to make sure clean and in good shape. Check power connections at the motor as well. Then, I would try tapping on the starter with a hammer and try starting again.
 
The good old hammer fixes everything, fuel pump, power windows, starter, ex wife...
 
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