Re: Johnson 6hp…won’t start

[billw]

I agree with the basics check, first. You should know these things about your motor, whether it starts well or not. Then the choke check. After that, I would take the plugs out and spin the engine over with my hand. You should hear two squeaking noises per revolution, indicating the the reed valves are sealing tight. If you don’t hear these two squeaks, maybe you have a problem there…

All that being said, if you are trying to start a 6 with the tiller handle indicator on "start," when cold, well, that just ain’t gonna happen. I find they need nearly full throttle when doing a cold start, like the 4 hp models. Of course, drop the throttle as soon as the engine starts to come alive, to prevent any over-revving.

Long live American manufacturing!