Hi all.

Not sure if anyone is familiar with small outboard motors or not....

I have a 70's 6 h.p Johnson. I use it only a few times a year to troll with a small aluminum boat.

Last two times I have used it, it ran quite poorly. Really doesn't want to rev up and make much "power "

If that's what you call it anyway.

Also wanted to surge a bit. seemed to idle/troll not bad though.

I bought a tune up kit, which included plugs, points and condensors. replaced them all. But still seems no better.

Anyone have any ideas??

 

How is the carb? Just spent a few very frustrating hours myself with a sticky carb or 3. Running it that seldom, you might have some shellac buildup. Another thought is to try a "decarbon" treatment. Seafoam is one of the brands I use, and seem to have pretty good results.

Ed

 

I haven't taken the carb apart yet, I was convinced I would find nasty looking burnt points. They really didn't look bad though.

I did just eyeball the point setting (20 thou)

I know that's not the way to do it but I do it all the time with success.

Guess I should pull the carb apart and have a look. One plug I pulled was kinda fouled................

 

tool

Very likely to be bad gas or shellac in carb. Since it does run you could try a can of Berrymans at about 10 times the recommended concentration. Run it at all speeds for a while then leave it overnight with some of the elixir still in it. Run it again the next day and it may be fixed. I've done this a number of times with great success. If not, off comes the carb.
You know, the gas tank flex hose and bulb can get fouled up too. And the dip tube in the tank can crack, starving the engine.
I don't know if yours has the choke or enrichener. If the choke is stuck the plugs can foul and no power.

Wetspirit

 

Buy it and try it...................... It kicks ****!!!!

 

It is more than likely varnish in the carb. get a carb. kit and do the rebuild it should run fine. BTW you did put fresh fuel in the tank did't you?They are sometimes a little finicky but you can usually get them running again.

 

Not addressing your concerns, but....

If you haven't, and it is that old, you might do well to invest in a new water pump impeller. Cheap insurance... At least check with a shop and find out. They used to be made of rubber and got less flexible with age.

 

I second that, Powertune works great. Used to use it on high performance Merc's all the time.

Is your little 6HP a 2 stroke? I'm not real familiar with small outboards. If it is, check the reeds......