Expert: Everett Peacock - 5/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have an 81 Johnson 150 that has startup problems. When i flip the key, it turns over and starts up normally and after about 5 seconds it shuts off. I recently changed the spark plugs and wires, replaced the starter, and cleaned to carburator. I figured it might just be bad gas cause i havent used it in over 2 years. So i put new gas in it and the engine continues to do the same. I checked for oil leaks and found none. Please help.

ANSWER: try choking it when it trys to cut off.  that will tell you if the problem is fuel or not. if it helps it run, clean the carbs again...
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I tried it and nothing. Even at full choke it cuts off. Might it be a coil problem?

ANSWER: does it cut off like turning the key off or does it drop cylinders and then die?? try to dissconnect the kill wire at the engine on the power pack it should be a black wire with yellow stripe ?? not sure but make sure it is not a bad switch...

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QUESTION: Not a bad switch. Today i again pulled out all the spark plugs and noticed there was a thick layer of oil around the tip. I cleaned them off, started it up with the choke lever all the way up and it ran fine, until i lowered the lever is when it cut off. Sounds just like its running out of gas. So i went to clean the carburator again and as i pulled off the case for the intake, a bunch of oil started leaking out from inside the case.. Im thinking somehow either little amounts of gas is getting to the cylinders or the plugs just arent igniting the fuel.

Answer
when you saw the choke lever do you mean the warm up lever???
does it have a VRO if not check the fuel pump for leaks in the diaphram, if it has a hole if you remove it from the engine with th hoses in place see if gas comes out the hole that attaches to the crankcase...