Johnson idle problem need Help

[Fish tales]

I have a 2004 Johnson 150, here is what's going on (or not). When I first put it in the water it will idle fine, make a run to fish short or long, shut off, could be off for a while or not doesn't make any difference start up motor 90% of the time it will not idle,but a slight few times it will idle just perfect. Now make a short run or long to wherever and most of the time it will idle fine, but cut off motor and here we go again. This is the weird part, I can leave it off overnight in a slip ect. and when I go to start up it won't idle again, I have to play with it for a while, while I am playing with it, it will not take the fuel sometimes (rev up out of gear)if I leave it off for a couple of days it will start and idle fine. Also when it doesn't want to idle it will sputter a couple of times then cut out. I have been told it could be the plugs and or the anti-siphon vale. Any help would be appreciated.
Also have any of you had prob. with the plastic thru-hull fittings. Mine are breaking off right at the mushroom head. I am ordering solid S.S. to replace all of them. I even had to change two of them a week ago, all I could find localy was the plastic and guess what theare craking already.
On both of these contacting the dealer is of no use, we have a sea boss...and no I am not going to go there again LOL (do a search for sea boss and you will see my post and understand why the dealer is no help)
Thanks again for your help

[chris V]

that motor should be under warranty?

if you dont like your dealer take it to another johnson dealer.

if its not under warranty, it can be many things fuel or electrical.

not likely that its a anti siphon valve. pump the primer bulb, and it fills the bowls on the carbs. it will idle for a short time, just on the fuel in bowls. next time you have this issue, try pumping the primer bulb and see how the motor responds.

my guess would be more electrical without real time info.

[pmphoto]

I have the same engine and had the same problem. After much tinkering by my dealer, turned out to be a faulty shift "disengager" switch. This little switch is designed to cut ignition to a couple of the cylinders for a split second whenever you shift from fwd/rev into neutral. It supposedly reduces wear on the shifting mechanism in the foot by making sure the engine isn't loading the drivetrain too much while shifting. At least thats the explanation I got from the mechanic. Mine was sticking and causing a very rough idle especially when shifting into/out of reverse. New switch fixed the problem and it was like getting a new engine! Hope this helps.
Jeff

[stevec717]

Good point pmp. I have heard of that and it is in the Johnson troubleshotting guide. The way he's describing it being so intermittant, it's a possiblity.

Steve

[Fish tales]

thanks for the info guys I appreciate it, I will try the switch.
Yes it is still under warrenty, but major prob. w/the dealer and unfortunately I have called around and no other dealer wants to touch it they all keep saying take it back to the original dealer, guess I wasted my money buying the extended warrenty too?

[5Bucks]

Friend had same problem. there was a recall or something on the reeds(installed wrong). Dealer fixed it and it ran great.

[pmphoto]

Where are you located?

Jeff