Help...The Johno 15 won't run

[Noelm]

just off topic a bit, but way back when I was a litle tacker, my father had an old diesel in a boat, and to start it was a work of art, first you had to fill a little container on the top with oil, then flip over a valve lifter (to release compression so you could crank it) then get a bit of rag with some ether on it, and stuff it in the intake (have to be very carefull to yank it out once it started, an engine full of rag, does not make for a fun morning) then you placed your foot on the flywheel (that weighed a couple of hundred KG) gave it a few pushes, when you had it spinning, you flipped back the valve lifter, yank the rag out of the intake, and fiddled with some sort of throttle thing, and away she went, chooga, chooga, choog, a puff of black smoke and we were off for the day, the spare diesel fuel was carried in an old glass softdrink bottle! AAHH those were the days, a full outing was probably 2 litres of fuel! how soft are we now?

[PADDLES]

in a conventional 2 stroke there's usually so much left over oil in the crankcase and bearings that they'll be fine for a little run without oil going in. glad it sorted itself out for you. wide open throttle and no choke to unload a flooded engine. if it does it again, have a play in the carby.

[PADDLES]

i can't say that'd be too convenient starting the old thing at the end of every drift noel.

[Noelm]

true, but once started for the day (unless we were fishing at anchor) the motor was never turned off, which in itself was another trick!

[Coontakinta]

true story coonta, i've never had one break. but yep, if they do break she's all over like you say. it might be worth a look if you do all the basic crap and it still won't kick.

Yeah Paddles its true, well that was what I was told by the mechanic. I'm no techno wizz & was even less mechanically minded back then, mid 90's I had no reason to doubt the guy though as I had used him for some time & found him trustworthy.

I'm still no smarter in regard reed valves or even the intricacies of the workings of a 2 stroke, or a 4 stroke for that mater. I had no idea that it was such an uncommon occurance.

FN, when I've flooded my outboard, I simply disconnect the fuel line from the motor, and give it a few cranks. Reconnect the fuel line ensure the bulb is firm & pull

[fishnNauru]

Well she ran ok on friday, no starting issues and then when I stopped her to change lures and troll back we snapped the pull start cord and had to get a tow back...a way to eventful fishing trip and for all the wrong reasons.
That old diesel sounds like a goer NoelM...reminds me of cranking my Lister 8kva Generator to get it going.
Thanks for all the help. We'll have another crack at it when the new starter rope arrives from Oz.