Outboard Acting Weird?

[gitnby]

195 200 HP Johnson has been a champ since day one.

Recently, it starts rough and puts out more smoke than usual.

Also notice slight odor of gas fumes at idle speed.

Once I put the throttle down, it runs great.

Then after I stop to fish for a while, and I crank it over it starts up right away, but then wants to die unless I put it in gear and give it gas.

Other than the fact that the motor is old, any idea of what I should try?

Ruled out fuel pump or plugs.

[johnboy2bfishin]

it may be the vro oil pump i have 1994 150 johnson and mine did that and then my motor problems started. blowed 2 powerheads in a matter of months.

come to find out that vro oil pump wasnt regulating the oil correctly and caused motor to run rich at idle and lean at full throttle. burn motor.

that is what happened to me with symptoms you listed. with 3rd powerhead i unhooked vro and mix my gas. kinda a pain to mix by hand but ease of mind that fuel has correct mixture at full throttle. that is my two cents, i'm not a paid mechanic but since it is so expensive to have one worked on i have learned alot on vro and omc outboards. and since i have had 3rd powerhead on no problems.

[Sam]

I run a four-stroke outboard, so no longer have to mix oil in the gas. I found, though, that one fill-up with poor-quality or low octane gas can cause the problems you describe.

That happened to me last year, and I ended up draining and refilling the gas tank. Now I only use premium grade gas with NO ethanol from a local station I trust, and I've had no further trouble.

[gotmuddy]

always, always, always pre-mix your own oil. never trust a mechanical oil pump because unless you have a oil pressure gauge you will not know it quits until the motor locks up.

IMO it sounds like the carbs need some attention

[glennL]

I had the same problem with starting and then having to shift it fast into gear, so it wouldn't die out. Would sputter at low speeds and kick off.

Someone on this site recommended some sea foam and the motor has been great ever since.

[JerryK]

I had the problem with the the emgine starting and then dying. If your outboard is an older one, check the gas lines to the outboard. If they have rotted they won't stay primed. They are not a big deal to change.

[abkeenan]

I had the problem with the the emgine starting and then dying. If your outboard is an older one, check the gas lines to the outboard. If they have rotted they won't stay primed. They are not a big deal to change.

No mechanic either but I was thinking the same as Jerry. If your gas lines/hoses are old and have any sort of hole, crack, leak, etc. it does the sort of things you describe. Quick and cheap fix. All I got.

[gitnby]

No mechanic either but I was thinking the same as Jerry. If your gas lines/hoses are old and have any sort of hole, crack, leak, etc. it does the sort of things you describe. Quick and cheap fix. All I got.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Gas line is new last year, and bulb is tight, no leaks or cracks.

I use seafoam pretty regularly.

Oil pump is a possibility, I guess?

The thing is, it runs great once I get past idle.

I put new gas in today, no ethanol, and it seemed a little better, actually?

I'm wondering if the seafoam did too good of a job?

I know when I put some in my riding mower, it loosened up some gunk, and then my carb needed cleaning.

I took it out, cleaned it and it was fine after that.

May try that on outboard?