Boat motor problems!

[Fosh]

I have 1996 Johnson 28spi electric start remote steer. When I try to start it with the key motor turns over fine but will not start it will pull start in a couple of trys. When I get it started & try to throttle it up it goes run,run,run,run & will not plane out. Any suggestion?

[Buckrub]

Using ethanol gas???

[Fosh]

Using ethanol gas???

No I haven't i'v had it little over a year.

[Scrapper]

You say its turning over fine. All engines have a specific turnover speed that it takes for them to start. Each and every engine can be a little different. I would say it may not quite be turning over fast enough to start it. When you pull start it, you spin the motor over faster, thus getting at or above that speed the engine wants.

Look at all your connections, make sure they are all tight and clean. Pay special attention to the ground wires. Look for corrosion...white powdery stuff. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to take the off and clean them anyways. A wire wheel on a drill or bench grinder with wire wheel works great. If you can't get that to a place, get a small piece of sandpaper or emory cloth and clean all points of contact.

Now once you get it started and it won't plane...sounds to be like a fuel problem. Does it act like it wants to go but just can't? Like it bogs down? A couple easy and "free" tests while out there is while you are trying to plane push the choke in...or pull out a little on the choke as you are trying to plane. If it gets better, I would say rebuild the carb...or at least open it up and clean it. Another easy test is if you can, or have someone else do it, while trying to plane, have someone try to pump the bulb on the fuel line. If this helps, could be fuel pump, fuel line/bulb, or could still be carb...ie...the float.

Really need a little more info on what going on, but these things I mentioned are easy and free. If cleaning the contacts does not help your starting, have the battery load tested...this is free at a parts house normally.

[LMBarnett]

Is your prop bent/cupped? My aluminum prop I had on my boat got cupped from hitting logs duck hunting, and running up on sandbars on the river.

What about gummed up carb? May not be getting the fuel you need.

Next, I would take it to Tom Booth at Riverside marine in Scott (just down from McSwains) if you are near LR. He is the best mechanic I know of in Central AR.

[Fosh]

I have checked all points of contacts and battery is good. The starter is turning the motor over faster than I can pull it. I have pushed the choke in while running it starts to die. I have pumped the fuel line/bulb no change. Guy I got it from said just had carb. Rebuilt.

[Fosh]

Prop is good the crab just rebuilt showed bill of work done. Thanks for mechanic reference.

[Buckrub]

Try non-ethanol premium, after running all old gas out, and see if that helps. It sure fixed my four wheeler.

[Scrapper]

When you say it goes run-run-run-run...is it revving up? Like slippage? If prop is good....have you pulled the prop and seen if prop shaft is good?? Put the engine in gear and try to turn the prop shaft by hand. You could do this with it sitting in the front yard. Or take prop off and check the splines.

[Scrapper]

Also....carb is good...what about fuel filter?? There will be one on it. Trace all fuel lines...look for kinks or cracks. Any small crack can cause a problem.

Sounds like you have checked if over really well. Just trying to throw some more stuff out there to try before spending money.