Starting a 20 Johnson 4-stroke

[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?

[countrycorners]

First: Clean (wire brush) and put corrosion inhibitor on all the electrical connections---battery & starter.
Try again.

[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?

[bman]

Corrosion X or WD-40 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor Spray - not just the regular wd40

[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]

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.

[fishinfool]

Tiller, stick or cable steer?

[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.

[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?

[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]

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.

[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]

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]

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.