Expert: Everett Peacock - 1/7/2010

Question
Hello,

I have a 1984 Johnson 235 that wont start. it cranks over but wont start. I opened the air cover and sprayed a little fuel in the front of each carb and it fired up, then shut off due to no more fuel. Problem 1 the carbs were just rebuilt by a guy I know to work on older johnsons. although I am questioning his abilities now. I think it may be the carbs having problems or the fuel pump. I primmed the ball and opened the drain port on the bowl of each carb, good clean fuel came out. The ball did get hard so the float needles are working? I think. I opened one of the carbs up and everything is shinny and clean. How do I check the jets to make sure that they are working? Another thing I am racking my brain about is how do these carbs work. I see not mixture screws? how does the fuel get pulled into the cylinder.

Please help I do not know where to go from here

Thank you

Answer
1. on that engine I think the idle jets are on the side of each carb.... 2 You have a carb problem... 3 the ball should get firm to let you know the needle valves are working....when running hold the choke..if it gets better the you have a carb problem...pull carbs aprt again and clean all jets and passages...4. the carbs work off of vacumm and it pulls fuel thru the jets to mix with air and burn..no mixture jets they are fixed jets in the carbs...