Repair Johnson Evinrude Outboard Recoil Starters

[@Ajaxaxxess]

Wrestled with my 6hp johnson recoil for a hour. Then your video came up and bam, 5 minutes. Thanks man!

[@kami1284]

As a novice to boat repair, this video helped quite a bit. I got my motor with the cord missing and had no idea even where it was supposed to go. My only problem with this video was the bad camera angles. You kept putting the camera right where your hands were. The info about how many turns to make for the different yrs was great, but how long is the rope supposed to be for that many turns? There aren't many videos about these older motors and I am very appreciative for you putting this out here for us. Thanks

[@johnforness7284]

Thank you for posting this. I was able to remove the carb on my 6hp but couldn't get to that nut behind the recoil and I was afraid to take the recoil off. After watching your video I pulled the recoil ,installed the carb and had it all back together in 30 minutes.

[@apackwestbound5946]

EXACTLY what I was looking for. I am in the middle of this process right now. I bought the Seloc outboard repair manual for my model. The manual is helpful but sometimes I struggle trying to get all the information off print format. Even with their diagrams and pictures I was left with questions. I want to learn to do this level of maintenance myself. In this process I have already discovered that the reputable marine store that I took it to last for service, including rebuilding the recoil starter, installed the bottom spring retainer plate 180 degrees incorrectly and neglected to put in a bottom bushing. For me it is not so much a matter of money, I don't mind paying professionals for their skills, knowledge and time. But it drives me nuts to "discover" the those kinds of errors. I subscribed, "liked" the video; and if you had a T-shirt for sale I'd buy one of those as well. Thank you very much!

[@thisoldoutboard]

Apack Westbound glad it helped. Haha I’ll see if I can come up with a logo and make a t-shirt. I’ve been meaning to do that.

[@apackwestbound5946]

I'll buy one, really! I'll add it to my Dangar Marine bought off KZbin collection. I'm more than happy to "support" smart, industrious and skilled people. Respectfully,

[@julianodigiuseppe5847]

Thank for taking the time to show us how to do the starter coil.

[@ags4444]

Great video! We have a 1982 Evinrude 6 hp that we use as a trolling motor on our big boat. Cord broke end of the season last yr. Mine doesn't have a cam follower as a few others have also mentioned. Only problem I had is that at first it wouldn't retract. I noticed that my knot was catching on the metal dowel pin. I had to pull the rope back out and retie it smaller and pull it tight with pliers. I tucked it in as flush as possible and made sure it cleared the dowel pin. After that it worked perfectly!

[@jshall1000]

Great video helped a lot. 2 things I couldn't see. Once the rope is knitted and seeded does it get passed it between power head and the starter. And on other side does rope go on outside of rod or between rod and starter. And what is thickness of the rope

[@sellerski22376]

Thank you, my evinrude was very similar to the Johnson. I didn't have a cam follower on my 67, but everything else in your video was very helpful. It did finally take another pair of hands for me to finally replace it, but was worth it!

[@emcubed9116]

The best tutorial that I've come across, but when reinstalling the rope I cranked it up to 16 turns so that the handle wasn't floppy when finished (I only had a limited length of rope). I found that using the pick to get the rope between the bar and the cylinder to be really fiddly due to the lack of manoeuvring room. I pulled the rope all the way out from behind the cylinder and pushed it in between the bar and the cylinder with my fingers and then out to the cowling hole.

[@catfishcraz]

I want to thank you for this Video because I did one time have someone help me and it was not easy with two sets of hands in the way and to wind the starter up to put the rope thru. Now I see how just one person can do it. Thanks bunch. You have my two thumbs up!

[@zuckzach]

Thanks, learned to pre load the recoil start counterclockwise from this video. I've had mine on and off a few times. I found that passing the rope through the guide (dowel as referred to in this video) and the spool before pre loading and securing the top two bolts let's you load the recoil spring without needing to fish the rope later

[@nathanmcolton]

Good video but at 7:30, you don't need to route the rope through the dowel prior to retracting the rope. It does it automatically as you let the spindle unwind to the starting position. Just guide the rope so that the initial wrap starts at the top slot.

[@ags4444]

Thanks so much. My kids and I fixed our trolling motor off your video. Worked great. Awe well explained video. We have a 1982 evinrude 6 hp. No cam follower.

[@jsb257]

At 5:26 you mention the "cam follower". That part appears to have been removed from my starter assembly (and I believe over time, many outboard mechanics have removed that part as being problematic and expensive.

[@thisoldoutboard]

Interesting Steve that’s news to me

[@HuttonN17]

I'm attempting to replace the pinion gear on the starter recoil assembly on my 6R76A Johnson and noticed that mine is also missing the cam follower, not sure if this part serves an important purpose but it did start & run well until I broke the pinion gear..... Not worth spending the $30+ (not exactly sure all of the parts that would be needed but I know P/N 0398682 alone is $26....

[@realhoule2615]

What is the lenght of the dowel stick in the starter assembly

[@artyabstract2245]

Good idea with the pliers holding the pinion up. You don’t need to feed the rope through the gap and dowel. Just let the rope coil around the starter.

[@PRACERZ]

I wish I would have found your vid yesterday, before I wasted one whole day trying to figure out how to lock in the spring to the holder while everything was still assembled !! THANKS !!!

[@nathanmcolton]

yea, that's the hardest part of the entire process. Took me forever as well. The key is removing the spring from the recoil spindle so that you can see it slot into the correct spot. Then reassmable the spindle on top of the spring.

[@avonhead458]

Graeme W Thank you your video was most helpful as the SELOC 1990- 01 doesn't explain this vertical rope system. Cheers.

[@realhoule2615]

Can someone tell me the size and length of the dowel pin in this video ? Thanks

[@thisoldoutboard]

www.ebay.com/itm/OMC-Roll-Pin-PN-309686-/114225091647?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

[@thisoldoutboard]

1/8th diameter. 1.125 inches long

[@jarethhill5901]

would this work for a 1970 9022a evinrude sportwin as my starter assemvly looks different

[@charlesshipley4469]

Thanks for the video.. .question about the Rope. Do you need to take the rope off in order to reset the tension? I replaced everything and my rope is only going in like 3/4 of the way.. I am assuming that I need to take the rope off in order to reset the tension.. Can I reset the tension with the rope on? I tried it and it doesn't seem to work..

[@thisoldoutboard]

Yeah you have to take the rope off, wind it up, tie the rope back and when you release the tension it will spoil the rope back on

[@timmyduke2176]

Thanks your a first class mechanic do you know anything about a 88 140 vro Johnson no spark but thanks

[@michelemic8337]

but did you change the spring or did you put the same back? because I have the same problem but the spring looks good

[@thisoldoutboard]

If spring is ok. Resuse

[@spinedoc893]

I have an 8 hp with same recoil mechanism. Mine is seized ie won't pull out at all but I can turn the flywheel and prop so I assume its the starter. The whole starter assembly is no longer available. Any suggestions?

[@lostinamerica7868]

No mention of Roller pin? Did I miss something ?

[@montellwilliams811]

Hey , I have a 1978 evinrude 30 HP 2 cycle outboard gas motor with electric start - can I remove the starter the same way ?

[@jshall1000]

I have 79 6 hp what diameter rope should I use. I put in 1/8 the put when I pull it the top quarter and it rewinds the top quarter doesn't get rope pulled on it even after I had it full after doing it what could be the issue

[@dongesswin]

have you ever had the 2 springs get stuck in the white recoil piece? I am trying to figure out how to get them out. mine are stuck in there.

[@thisoldoutboard]

I can’t say that I have. Were you able to remove the entire assembly?

[@dongesswin]

So the inner spring was twisted and not in slot and the outer was bent I pb blasted it and muscled the spring out bent the inner and outer spring back into correct position greased and installed. Your video was spot on! And I learned that the spring is just one spring wound up all silly no wonder they discontinued making it. Thanks for the great videos!

[@daneslinger2355]

This is just the video that I needed. Thanks

[@tommykultanen3159]

Hello, this how-to video was very good! I haven't done this yet, but i will. Also understood that i should do this with the engine at home. Not attached to the boat as i planned first. Thank you for a good video!

[@brendanw355]

Very helpful thanks for taking the time to do the vid , appreciate it 👍👍

[@ballpythons]

Sometimes when I pull my rope it will engage the flywheel quickly other times I have to pull almost half of it out before engaging. Any advice?

[@thisoldoutboard]

Part number 4 in this diagram can sometime hang up in its slot. www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1979&hp=6&model=6904E&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Rewind+Starter Try some silicone lubricant on the mechanism and see if that helps

[@HuttonN17]

How do you remove Part Number 4 in this diagram? I have to replace my pinion gear on this same 6HP motor, do you just knock it out with a hammer?

[@fishman8498]

Hell yeah this video helped me out big time I'm back on the water catching bass ...thanks bud. .🤙🤙

[@tonybaggett1984]

Great video. On the 12 turns. Is that 12 turns of the starter or 12 turns of the flywheel?

[@thisoldoutboard]

Starter

[@tonybaggett1984]

thisoldoutboard thanks for the reply! I did 12 turns of the screwdriver at the starter. There seems to be no tension and the starter isn’t recoiling back. 1990’s 6hp Johnson. What am I doing wrong?

[@fishman8498]

Is the recoil Spring hook part of the Spring I pull out mine and it's just shredded I can't tell???

[@thisoldoutboard]

Yeah it’s part of the spring

[@fishman8498]

rocket city motors awesome thanks bud .

[@HuttonN17]

Great video, super helpful in my repair of my recoil starter. One question I didn't see addressed in the video, you mention loosening the back bolt in order to release the spring from the slot. I in fact had to do this in order for the spring to release. Do you tighten that bolt back up before reinstalling the spring in the slot or do you want the spring to slide between to two plates held together by the bolts? You never mentioned the re-tightening of that specific back bottom bolt.

[@thisoldoutboard]

Great question and catch. Yes I had to do this as well. Thanks for commenting and potentially helping someone out with the same issue!

[@HuttonN17]

To replace the starter unit to the powerhead, (1) Place the bushing in the spring retainer plate. (2) Twist the spring to lock the inner spring onto the spring carrier. Pull the end of the outer spring out of the spool and hook it onto the retainer. (3) Place the guide in the starter plate. Insert the spring hook into the retainer plate slot. (NOTE if the spring hook has broken off, you can re-bend the end). Raise the retainer plate to hold the spring. Install the front retainer plate screw and tighten the rear screw. remove the spring from the spring retainer. Install the starter assembly to the intake manifold. (4) Place a heavy duty screwdriver or a brace with a screwdriver bit in the slot in the top of the starter spool shaft. Wind the main spring 16 1/2 turns COUNTERCLOCKWISE. The rope anchor hole in the spool should face to the port side of the powerhead. Raise the pinion gear to engage the flywheel and lock it in position with pliers. (5) Install the rope as described in the rope replacement paragraph."

[@bradleyj308]

Dude thank you! this has saved me so much time and stress

[@Lundbergg03]

How do you do if you not have a cam follower?

[@thisoldoutboard]

Process should be the same just easier. Check this out islandersailboat.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/52138772-Johnson-6HP-1965-68.pdf

[@Lundbergg03]

Can you install a whole starter with a cam follower on a engine that dosen't have cam follower on it's original starter?

[@thisoldoutboard]

Emil what year 6hp do you have?

[@Lundbergg03]

I have a 1972

[@thisoldoutboard]

Emil I believe that will work

[@troyrockers5790]

Thank You, Needed the reassembly information.

[@johnp7933]

My 1970 Johnson 6hp doesn't have the cam follower either. I guess I have to cut the rope to be able to recoil the spring.

[@thisoldoutboard]

It looks like the cam follower is only on the 1976 77 78 and 79 motors

[@mechanic_marky]

Thank you. A friend gave me a 6.0 Johnson engine that came with a boat he bought. I am taking it apart to go through it and make sure it's all good.. i was having trouble figuring out the starter and winding and whatnot. I'm a heavy diesel mechanic. this video video helped a lot.

[@robertmulroney526]

Really helpful, thank you.

[@louishibbs5133]

how long is the cord?

[@thisoldoutboard]

Replacement rope needs to be 56 and 1/4 inches long

[@jsb257]

Thanks! This video was very useful and well done.

[@razorpanther1668]

What year model is this motor?

[@thisoldoutboard]

79

[@FernandoDIY]

what year model is your johnson?

[@thisoldoutboard]

1979 Evinrude 6 Hp

[@montellwilliams811]

@@thisoldoutboard hey , I have a 1978 evinrude 30 HP outboard 2 cycle motor - can I remove the starter the same way ?

[@montellwilliams811]

@@thisoldoutboard I forgot it has - electric start ?

[@dickmadison9092]

Just received a hand me down Johnson 9.5 model # 9R-71R that has been sitting around for over 10 years. Got it going a lot easier than expected but on initial start up, water was gushing from what looked like from under the flywheel. On my 2nd running in the tank, I can see that it has slowed to oozing out from just under the recoil cogs just below the retainer clip about where the diagram locates what looks to be a felt pad in the top of the stem. Should the recoil unit have water inside of it? Can I remove the top gear and retainer clip and add new grease to this pad or do I have to completely take the unit out to repack it? Or does it sound as if my water problem is rooted deeper?

[@thisoldoutboard]

Your recoil starter shouldn’t have water in it. It sounds like you have a bigger problem than your recoil starter. Does the motor run rough? Is the crankcase cracked that you can see?

[@dickmadison9092]

It just purrs right along. Starts easily. Carb doesn't act like it needs going through. At first I thought the carb may not be working because I had to keep squeezing the bulb when the tank was on the floor. Then raised it to about a foot below the inlet and it pumped just fine. Took the thermostat out and put it a pan of hot water and it began to open at around 100 degrees and seemed to be fully open around 140/150 degrees. Has a good glow of water coming out and you can feel it getting warm. The highest temp I have read on the water coming out was around 100 degrees. If I read the temp on the thermostat housing, it runs 120/140 degrees. Cylinder head around the plugs stays around 100 degrees and about the same for the plugs. I can not see any signs of water around the thermostat housing or the block as far as I can tell. It just seems to be seeping just above the rope windings. The engine has never been into. Drained the oil from the lower case and it wasn't contaminated and seemed to not be low on oil. I was surprised on how clean it was. Flowed very freely when draining. Looks like I got about 8 oz. or so out of it. I thought maybe the lower housing where the recoil its might be a water jacket but other than that I just can't see any other source of water coming from the engine. Not sure what I am overlooking. Puzzled! Thanks for you response. dm

[@Manuel_Z_Kayaks]

There is some good info here.... I'm only about 4 minutes into this video... When you edited this video you cut all the parts you should have saved... You didn't actually show any of the disassembly you just showed the after. I think you should post the uncut version so we can see any problems or special ways of doing the disassembly. Now I gotta go look for another video on the same subject.

[@saschajansen3765]

Thank you for this very helpful video. Greetings an best wishes from Germany, or how we say Herzlichsten Dank

[@pastovasquez1858]

Great tutorial. Tank you so much i learn something new today.

[@danspence2848]

Just what I needed thank you

[@martinhelton5850]

starting at reassembly I sure wish you showed how to install the spring back into the bottom plate ???you just happen to stop recoreding and comeback to it already installed and say yea just like that and also right before that your talking about A LOWER SPRING RETAING PIN?????did you make that up there is no part like that listed in part diagram,sure wish youd show the only tough part of this entire replacement

[@thisoldoutboard]

Apologies

[@iancameron198]

@@thisoldoutboard do you have any vids on a 87 20hp Johnson recoil with 2 plastic paws

[@adamk4003]

Thanks for the help. It took me awhile but i did it. Lol

[@RebelRowdy1861]

Very helpful I have a 1965 johnson ld10s and for the life of me I haven't been able to figure that out my rope snapped and just been wrapping a lawn mower rope on top in the hooks

[@MrBunki]

Thank you fro the info Much appreciated

[@valentinofrans2954]

Good video thanks 👊🏾

[@realhoule2615]

Great video very well done

[@robertbackhouse295]

Your hands block a few of the shots. Getting the spring hook into place requires loosening the bottom plate enough to slide the starter spring hook into place. Could use a bit more instruction. My motor does not have a cam follower. Otherwise a very useful video

[@realhoule2615]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@cloudydayrealestate8117]

Genius! Thank you so much.

[@davidmoore361]

This guy is good

[@carchannel9223]

Thank you so much

[@insanebydesign6083]

Thank you

[@doctorperson4737]

Thanks man

[@jvermont1]

Perfect. Thanks very much

[@trevorhanlon8241]

You the Man :)

[@rcmentalhealthinitiative9444]

Thanks

[@brtrains]

Not your best video, your hand was in the way too often...

[@thisoldoutboard]

Thanks for the feedback Bob

[@chrisq8118]

Crap misinformation

[@thisoldoutboard]

You’re the best

[@nilspetersen3302]

Thank you.

[@noacktexas]

Awesome Thank you!!