Hello, I have a 1996 60 HP Johnson..About ten days ago we were out boating and the engine ran great, we pulled the boat back onto the trailer at the end of the day, I got my 6 gal fuel tank and brought it home to store in the garage, the tank was about half full after I had transferred more fuel in the tank at the end of the day from another tank that I had just fueled up from and put oil in. So now The tank was stored in the garage for ten days. Forward to yesterday, I hook up the fuel tank run the water hose and it started up after a few cranks, but I noticed it was sneezing at low rpm, It has Never done that before, the sneeze did go away after about 5-10 min, Anyway I thought it would clear itself out when we got running. When we where going out the engine ran strong, no sneezing at higher rpms. As I put it in idle the engine sneezed out, It has never done that before, when I tried to restart the engine it took 10-15 min to restart, Usually it starts up the first time after shutdown. Also after running the engine for some time and then trying to pump the ball, the ball is soft and doesn't get rock hard But does get hard has my friend is starting the engine at the same time as im pumping the ball.

I was thinking of these possibilities

When we were last out ten days ago, after we got the boat in I was washing down the deck and the fuel tank was still on board, its very possible that water did go over the tank and maybe went into the tank as I always leave the valve open


When the fuel was stored in the garage is it possible that condensation built up and contaminated the fuel? I have stored fuel in the garage before for 6 months without any problems, but the fuel tank was full, not half full, as maybe this makes a difference.


On my last fuel up someone told me to add what I thought was more oil then was recommended, is it possible that too much oil gunked up the jet nozzle or plugs?

Look forward to any replies.