can't figure this

[Tony250]

Can you fellas lend some advice on this? :head:
I never came across anything like this, I have a 95 Johnson looper that has less than 2 hundred hrs on it, I pamper the thing to death.
It's on the back of my exrta clean 87 V 20.
It runs tremendous, stars like a 4 stroke every time! here 's the rub, sometimes it just shuts off! at any speed!
not all the time, like one in every 5 or 6 outings, and it won't restart UNLESS I tilt the engine all the way up then down again and it starts right up! and runs fine.
Please don't think I'm nuts, and I can't find a mechanic who is willing to tackle the problem.
I'm hesitent to go a little off shore now because I know that one of these times it wont start no matter what I do.
I appreciate any thoughts, and, sorry to be so long winded.
Tony.

[spareparts]

start with the kill switch/ignition switch OMC's are notorious for issues with the ignition switch/kill switch

[willy]

Have you had the engine cover off when you tilt the engine up?
If not see if you are dumping fuel out of the carbs when you do.
Could be a carb rebuild in your future, your floats may be sticking and or clog in the low speed jets and fuel is backing up.
The only other thingt I can think of that tilting the engine would effect is a loose wire in the harness or ground or battery cables which flex when you tilt up and may be forced into making a connection under that pressure and vibrating loose when vibrating when running.

[Tony250]

thank you, you guys are the best!
Tony,:beer:

[Stinky_Hooker]

The wire thing was my first though too...tilting it up could definately affect the wiring harness in that way.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Also the 60 degree loopers have problems with the optical sensor for the ignition system. If the cover for the flywheel is loose it can cause this to happen.

[Destroyer]

I have to go with the general consensus on this one... If it were a fuel problem the engine would die slowly... bogging down/starving. But an electrical problem ... that will shut the engine off in mid stroke.. no spark, no fire, no badda-boom.

I like Spares kill switch answer, and also Ferms looper answer. Willy might be right on the money on the tilt. The tilting may very well pull the wire harness just enough to cause a corroded wire terminal to remake contact. I'd check where all the wires terminate inside the engine... make sure there's no corrosion and that all the fasteners are tight. Make sure the optical sensor is not loose. Then I'd run a continuity check on each wire inside the harness from one end of the wire harness to the control box end, jiggling each wire in turn seeing if I can produce an open circuit... paying special attention to the kill switch circuit wires. :head:

[Tony250]

Many thanks to all, I will print all your suggestions out and bring them to the top mechanic where I live.
Again, you fellas are just so damn knowledgeable and I have less than a casual understanding of outboards.
At 125.00 per hr, here My guy can focus on these things and save me some $.
I'd like to get a new E teck 150 but I just retired and things are a little tight now.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
Tight lines to all, Regards Tony