1984 Johnson 25HP spits at idle when cold

xoibsurferx

Cadet
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
28
My 1984 Johnson 25HP does this spit thing at idle when its cold. As soon as I throttle it up and get going and get it warmed up it runs and idles fine. I run 50:1 quicksilver premium oil with ethanol free 93 octane. Plugs look good and like I said it runs great after it gets warmed up but when its cold and idling it just does this spitting thing.

Its kind of like this. Starts, runs for a few seconds, then spits, then runs for a few seconds, then spits, by then I start throttling up and its better.

My first though is that its running lean. This boat came from Florida and I'm in Charlotte, NC so I know there's an elevation difference.
 

kodibass

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
865
Re: 1984 Johnson 25HP spits at idle when cold

Your motor runs normal""" yes they do spit upon first start (cold) you do have a cpl options tho. 1 let it spit until it warms up, 2 dial your low speed adjuster CC wise 1/4 turn may help the spiting then adjust it back once it warms up. but the bottom line is most of these older 2 strokes spit when cold I have a shop full of them and they all do it to some degree. its harmless..get to fishing!
 

xoibsurferx

Cadet
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
28
Re: 1984 Johnson 25HP spits at idle when cold

Your motor runs normal""" yes they do spit upon first start (cold) you do have a cpl options tho. 1 let it spit until it warms up, 2 dial your low speed adjuster CC wise 1/4 turn may help the spiting then adjust it back once it warms up. but the bottom line is most of these older 2 strokes spit when cold I have a shop full of them and they all do it to some degree. its harmless..get to fishing!

Thanks for the reply! I'm relieved to know its nothing to worry about. It even idles great after its warmed up so I figured it wasn't too much to worry about. Where in Alaska are you? I have family in Gustavus alaska. They work at the bear track inn lodge.
 
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