Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

All things having to do with boats, trailers, engines, electronics and accessories.
Image

Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels

Post Reply
Mo Redd
Posts: 70
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 10:20 pm

Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Mo Redd »

I've let it sit for about three months, which I shouldn't have done. Pressing the starter button (after charging the battery) there's a 'crackling' sound of sparks but the starter doesn't engage. Any idea about what could be wrong?
User avatar
countrycorners
Posts: 1463
Joined: January 21st, 2014, 9:07 pm
Location: SW Georgia

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by countrycorners »

First: Clean (wire brush) and put corrosion inhibitor on all the electrical connections---battery & starter.
Try again.
Mo Redd
Posts: 70
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 10:20 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Mo Redd »

Thanks. It's at my son-in-law's house. I'll go to the store tomorrow and get some corrosion inhibitor. Is there anything good in a smaller can, like
a WD-40 can? I guess you'd spray it on, wipe it off then respray it?
User avatar
bman
Moderator
Posts: 4800
Joined: December 4th, 2005, 9:26 am
Location: Tallahassee
Contact:

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by bman »

Corrosion X or WD-40 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor Spray - not just the regular wd40
Barry Bevis, Realtor and Owner of BigBendFishing.net
I liked it so much, I bought the company ;-)

http://www.bevisrealty.com
Image
TEAM "Duck Season!"
User avatar
fishinfool
Site Sponsor
Posts: 3110
Joined: June 17th, 2009, 8:58 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by fishinfool »

I am with Bman, Corrosion X , Corrosion Block, PB Blaster Corrosion Stop http://www.blastercorp.com/Corrosion_Stop.html,or Dielectric Grease. All of those will perform well for your application.
Mo Redd
Posts: 70
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 10:20 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Mo Redd »

Thanks, guys. I'll get it going for next week. I hated to miss those good tides this week. Could you tell me if an outboard can be made to steer tighter? It's so loose that if I let go of the handle for just a second it will swing around and put me into a turn. I've never heard of any kind of an adjustment that would stiffen the control.
User avatar
fishinfool
Site Sponsor
Posts: 3110
Joined: June 17th, 2009, 8:58 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by fishinfool »

Tiller, stick or cable steer?
Mo Redd
Posts: 70
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 10:20 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Mo Redd »

It's a tiller...just the basic twist grip throttle and steer. It's the Johnson 4 stroke 20 hp 2003 I think is the year. I got it used a few months ago.
So I fixed the corrosion
problem, and it turned over a few times but didn't start. Some residual water was spit out. I don't have the lower unit in a water bucket. Is there something like a sensor that won't let the starter work when there's no water in the water jacket? As you can tell, my color is green when it comes to outboard motors.
User avatar
fishinfool
Site Sponsor
Posts: 3110
Joined: June 17th, 2009, 8:58 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by fishinfool »

As far as I know, there is not an adjustment to stiffen the steering on a tiller. I am not sure you would want one. The motor flopping to one side when you let go of the tiller is pretty much normal.
Now, let's get to the no start issue. I would check all the basic stuff. Spark plugs, fresh fuel (preferably non-ethanol). Are the cylinders getting fuel, spark? Is there adequate compression?
User avatar
countrycorners
Posts: 1463
Joined: January 21st, 2014, 9:07 pm
Location: SW Georgia

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by countrycorners »

suggestion: get a manual for your motor. Read it.

I got a used Honda 50 a while back....poor thing had issues. I got an online manual, didn't cost me anything, and learned a lot. A good manual has "diagnostic trees" or troubleshooting paths to follow. You learn about yur motor and most every concept is transferable to other gas engines.
Caution: the more you learn the more you'll tinker.

http://boatinfo.no/lib/honda/manuals/bf40bf50.html#/2
rockyg
Posts: 629
Joined: February 21st, 2008, 9:13 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by rockyg »

Most tiller outboard have an external bolt that allows you to adjust the "swing" back and forth. You can probably find a manual for that motor online.

If....you get tired of fooling with it I would be interested in buying it from you if its a short (15") shaft and in good overall shape.
“It's hard to measure almost.....because almost doesn't matter”
― John Dutton
Mo Redd
Posts: 70
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 10:20 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Mo Redd »

"If....you get tired of fooling with it I would be interested in buying it from you if its a short (15") shaft and in good overall shape."

Unfortunately, it's a long shaft. It looks nearly new under the cowl. The previous owner put a jack plate on the stern to elevate the motor. It's on a 14X36 Alumacraft Jon boat.
I have the service manual, but it's hard to find stuff in it as it doesn't have much of an index.
The problem now is that the starter button doesn't seem to be activating the starter. My buddy said he charged the battery. I guess I could put a volt/ohmeter on the connections to see if juice is going to the starter. It's been a good motor up until now.
Mo Redd
Posts: 70
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 10:20 pm

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Mo Redd »

We took it to a shop, and he fixed it where it starts with the first press of the starter button. Now when we get it up to high speed it seems to be missing. It gets a little rough. Maybe we'll take it back in to see if he can fix it. I don't have much luck with boats/motors. I have a nice Humminbird 587 down imaging fishfinder with a florida Sportsman hot spots chip in it, but I'm apparently not getting juice to it. I sure feel like giving up at times.
Redbelly
Site Sponsor
Posts: 2908
Joined: June 20th, 2004, 10:05 am
Location: Thomasville

Re: Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

Post by Redbelly »

Welcome to boat ownership, and especially used boat ownership.

Keep at it and you will get the issues fixed. You are experiencing some normal used boat things.
Work 2 fish 4 days

1988 vintage 1436 Fisher Jon
1992 vintage 15 hp Merc
Post Reply