Troubleshooting a Johnson 70HP Outboard

[@A_B_V]

i just picked up this motor, and am looking to rebuild it for my apprenticeship, i just started a marine Tech Apprenticeship so this was very helpful thank you.

[@waterwethinking1142]

Good luck!

[@funkeypunk2005]

At 2 min in it kinda felt like “House” was explaining my outboard to me haha great video

[@santiagoholz5592]

Ok so I have the same engine and my problem is that when ever I run it in fresh water lake pond river it’s fine but when I try to put it in fresh water is give me trouble to even start any tips on what it could be ?

[@waterwethinking1142]

I'm not sure I understand 100%, are you saying when you have it on LAND and you try to hook up to fresh water to run it you can't get it started? Do you have the motor at about the same angle as on the boat? You don't have it trimmed up, right?

[@santiagoholz5592]

@@waterwethinking1142 so the engine runs in fresh water it was a lake boat all its life has had the carbs cleaned and fuel pumps redone before I brought it down to Miami. So now I’m Miami when ever I go to put the boat in the salt water the engine turns over but it struggles to start and if I get it to start it has to be manually while pumping the carb. But then again it Immediately shut off the second I put it in gear. So any tips or suggestions on what it might be ?

[@waterwethinking1142]

@@santiagoholz5592 My only thought is that something changed in transit. Are all the adjustments on the carb where they were before? I can't think of any reason the change to salt water would cause the issue. Something must have happened when it was on the trailer.

[@bengavin5490]

Just need to adjust the trim tab. It’s the fin looking thing under your cavitation plate. Just make small adjustments left or right until it levels out.

[@waterwethinking1142]

Thanks, I'll try.

[@tomhood4152]

just got one of these (evinrude version) running on our 17ft aqua sport. Starts right up, idles fine and throttles up to maybe half speed... have the thottle all way forward but not getting anywhere near top speed... Im thinking I need to make adjustments but looking for advice?

[@waterwethinking1142]

I'm not a mechanic, but I'm wondering if your throttle cable is stretched. Can you see if the throttles on the carbs open all the way when you push the lever? Check when it's not running of course.

[@petersgarage6125]

Hi I want to get the carbs off. Do the links to the carbs just pull off. Thanks

[@T.D3711]

Is there anything I can do for that motor to make it have more power and faster

[@CaptainKevWright]

I’m not a hot rodder so I’m not sure. Sorry!

[@TimothyGreenwood-sm7rm]

Would have wanted to see where you tapped into the engine

[@jaimeabrego966]

Do you have better instructions in departing the center carburetor. As in the linkage. Mainly the choke spring.

[@waterwethinking1142]

I'm not with the boat at the moment and can't remember exactly how I disassembled it. Sorry.

[@jsetser001]

Its simple choke slides out

[@dadejazzba402]

Nice garage you have.

[@waterwethinking1142]

Thanks! Too bad it isn't mine, although I can use it pretty much anytime I want and don't have to pay for it so it's pretty great.

[@BoutToBeRich]

😂 loving the lingo 😂

[@BCO4106]

Is their a certain gear oil to be used on this motor?

[@waterwethinking1142]

Johnson recommends their HPF but any brand name 80/90 lower unit gear oil should be ok.

[@bongo042]

At 7:32, you said "Lean to port". Will you explain what that means?

[@waterwethinking1142]

It's as if the boat is trying to turn left and the left side of the boat is lower than the right.

[@michaelpetty8416]

Boats have different names for all sides. Left side (port), Right side (starboard), front (bow), rear (stern). BTW, to remember port from starboard, just remember that port and left have the same number of letters.

[@GlitchEmpire97]

I have a 1975 65hp Johnson looks the same as yours I was wondering what would cause rough start to no start starts good with starter fluid and then dies sometimes if I give Throttle it sometimes stays running I already replaced spark plugs fuel pump ignition coils

[@GlitchEmpire97]

Do I need to clean carburetors ?

[@waterwethinking1142]

Carb cleaning may help. Is your fuel filter clean? I’m still having issues with this motor, now it’s a fuel leak I cans find the source of!

[@GlitchEmpire97]

I have cleaned the carburetor and still rough start then dies runs with throttle then dies in neutral

[@GlitchEmpire97]

@@waterwethinking1142 does not have a fuel filter I change the fuel pump and gas line and bulb

[@GlitchEmpire97]

@@waterwethinking1142 mine was leaking gas too was next to the carburetor replaced the lines there

[@michaeltucker277]

I have an evinrude 70, trying to get the motor unlocked. Any tips?

[@CaptainKevWright]

Could be a few things, you can’t turn the motor with a large wrench on the flywheel?

[@PetersGarage101]

Hi nice video. Not a nice feeling running low on fuel. I've learnt that lesson. I wish you slowed down the removal of the carbs as it is a job I have to do. I'm worried Ill put the links back and the boat will run rough. Can you do a video showing the carb removal and repairs. Thanks all the way from Australia

[@CaptainKevWright]

Thanks! I’ve got the boat in storage for a while so no new videos coming soon but I do need to do more work this spring or summer and hopefully I can give you a better look at the carbs.

[@stevenfoster9304]

Part of the list to port may be because the skeg at the bottom of the motor is broke off.

[@waterwethinking1142]

Yeah, that is a strong possibility. If I find another one of these I may swap the lower unit.

[@williambaxley3327]

I put three new coils on my 70 horse and when I hook up the top call it cuts my motor off any ideas can anybody help

[@williambaxley3327]

Would I hook up my third coil it shuts my motor off any ideas

[@waterwethinking1142]

Will it run with just the two coils attached? Maybe that coil is bad? What if you swap the coils around?

[@jamessisoutham1466]

How often do you change the impeller on that motor

[@waterwethinking1142]

I've only had it for about a year so I have only changed it once.

[@SkillHornskillz]

I had the same problem. I replaced transom, stringers and floor, now its okay.

[@waterwethinking1142]

So, a new boat!?

[@SkillHornskillz]

@@waterwethinking1142 No not a new boat. Try to reinforce the transom and see if it helps. With the transom reinforced and the skeg repaired it should be okay. Also check for hooks under the boat with a straight edge. When its close to being correct you can adjust the "trim Tab" on the cavitation plate to get it perfect. I sure you've already investigated all the above.

[@terrybarratta1575]

My 1970 70hp motor starts up right away but when given forward throttle it cuts out and have to restart.

[@waterwethinking1142]

Does it run normally after the second start?

[@wilmarmoss5211]

I just bought a 75 model 70 horse. ... Havnt tried it yet

[@christianssoldiers4058]

Do you have a foil? Could be why its leaning

[@waterwethinking1142]

No, I think it may have to do with a few different things, including drag introduced by the patch I put on earlier last year on the port side.

[@backyardfishing1]

Just buy the tool for a few bucks to pump in new gear oil makes it a lot easier. Anyway i have the 88 70 hp Evinrude version pf this motor. Runs pretty good. Ran some seafoam through it and that seemed to help it run a bit smoother. Still has a rough idle so may need to do a carb cleaning. Went it runs though it is very smooth and pushes my little bumble pretty good.

[@busterhurd1027]

Does the 70 hp Evinrude have a pee stream?

[@waterwethinking1142]

Not like modern engines. There is some water that comes out the back that you can see if you really look hard.

[@jasonjohnson3079]

How long did you run on the 6 gallon tank? I am doing the same with my motor just haven’t been able to get it to the lake yet.

[@waterwethinking1142]

6 gallons doesn’t last long. I bought an extra after coming too close to running out once. I’d say 10 miles max on 6 gallons

[@DougVarble]

Check the trim tabs on the motor?

[@waterwethinking1142]

I sorted through the tabs and everything is good now. Still lists a bit but not as bad.

[@BobEstler]

Did you ever figure out why you were burning so much fuel?

[@waterwethinking1142]

I think there is still a leak and it was going overboard

[@victorremick9721]

Great motors keep plenty of oil in the gas and a good water pump it will last forever..

[@JoeRoberts-ru9op]

You probably need to replace the lower unit since the skeg is missing which could counteract the torque of the propeller trying to flip you to port.

[@waterwethinking1142]

I guess that is a good idea, I'll be scouring ebay for one I suppose.

[@randy1ization]

im trying to tune my 65 hp evinrude 1972 outboard.. Im not getting any change when I adjust 2 of the 3 brass low speed jets.. any ideas?

[@waterwethinking1142]

Sorry for the late reply, you are sure the fuel pump is working correctly?

[@randy1ization]

@@waterwethinking1142 yes.. it is pumping and the motor keeps running, just cant get any response when I turn the idle needles in or out.

[@nicholasecker1701]

I’ve always heard carbs are something you leave to professionals would it be crazy of me to try and just work on my motor alone?

[@CaptainKevWright]

I’m no expert (obviously) but I like to tinker and if you can find a tear down book it isn’t too hard

[@nicholasecker1701]

@@CaptainKevWright I have a late 80’s Johnson 60 hp and it’s been sitting some years and the last time I ran it it would cut out when you give it any gas. So I’m gunna try and work through the motor and bring it back to life.

[@johns.6570]

I had a 50hp motor that leaned to port badly, changed prop to a new one and it was fixed.

[@waterwethinking1142]

Glad to know, I'll try that.

[@ZachariahTuita-u7z]

@@waterwethinking1142did it work bro ?

[@user-wl4mt9cg6q]

You say it pulls to port and gets worse as speed increases. Check the trim tab and move it.

[@waterwethinking1142]

No trim tab. I plan to do some work on it soon and will report back.

[@tonybyrne3613]

The trim tab is clearly visible when you are changing the best oil!

[@terryroberson8851]

I have same problem with fuel milage

[@waterwethinking1142]

Old technology I guess.

[@clarencemcfarland9425]

WOT I get about 2 mpg

[@gregpopp4847]

Its obvious that Tony doesnt WANT to work - he told me the exact same thing a couple months ago.

[@tonybruno7848]

Your running on only 2 cylinders most likely the cracked coil is probably misfiring and your loosing 1/3rd of your gas down a dead cylinder.

[@TG072]

You can buy a pump and hose and pump that gear oil in no time.

[@boredyoutuber420]

Stressed me out then let’s go have some fun then the video ends 😭

[@waterwethinking1142]

Boating isn't always fun.

[@Harley365]

A place like that I would never do business with again. You didn’t take it there for him to tell you it’s not worth fixing if someone wants something fixed then they want it fixed. For him to say he won’t work on it because it’s not worth it is poor business. If someone is going to pay the money to fix it said it’s none of your business whether it’s worth it or not as a business owner

[@uuulaalaa]

Hello in your opinion how reliable are this motors am looking at getting my first boat and it has this engine

[@waterwethinking1142]

Well, it's an old motor so it depends a lot on the maintenance throughout the years. Take a look at the wiring next to the coils and if the wires look good you should be OK. A spark and compression test is a good thing to do as well so you know all three cylinders are good.

[@sir-richard4172]

@Water We Thinking and they are easy to work on. 1980 evinrude 70 hp

[@tristensoutdoors8183]

They are simple old school motor get a compression tester and check compression if you have compression within 5 to 10 psi of each other you should be good