88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

[kreine]

I bought a 92 skeeter on a whim and it has a similar year 88hp Johnson on it. I took it to the local marina,they tested it and said it was not worth repairing. He stated the leakdown rates are 1-74% 2-16% 3-42% 4-18%. I do not know much about outboard motors, but it fires right up, but it won't idle on the hose. It will only run in neutral on high rpm. Does anyone concur that it is not worth repairing???? Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

Depends on what's wrong with it. Could be stuck rings and a good decarb job will fix it up. Could be broken rings or a burned piston. Could be a blown head gasket.

Doesn't sound like the repair shop was much interested. Maybe it's beyond their skill level.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

Leakdown test on a two-stroke has to be done by someone who really understands the engine. The compression test is a better general guide in most instances.

Why don't you get a screw-in compression tester and check it yourself?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

have you priced a NEW motor. compared to new, yes it is worth spending some time on it. the 88 is a great motor. i agree do some testing yourself, or find another mech. come winter they will be begging for work.

 

[kreine]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

You were correct. The mechanic did not really want to take the time to look over my motor. I got some advice on using B12 Chemtool and it really cleaned the carbs out. In playing around with the motor I found small red valve and turned it while trying to start the engine and it fired right up and idled no problem. Do you have any idea what this valve is for? Anyway I had the boat out this weekend with the kids and it is running pretty good. I did notice that when I throttle up and increase speed the boat wants to pull hard to the left, any idea why? Great site thanks for all of your advice. Thanks again!!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

the red handle was probably causing the problem. it is the primer solenoid, replaced the choke butterfly in the carbs. the handle is suppose to be inline with the solenoid base. any other position and it floods the motor. it is activated when starting by pushing in on the key, just like the old chokes.

there is a fin just above the prop. called a trim fin. it helps control the torque steer. loosen bolt, move the back of the fin, toward the direct the steering wheel wants to pull. thanks a little experimenting, but most of the time you can get rid of the torque steer.
handle should be in this positon. the 88 is a great motor.

 

[crb478]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

You were correct. The mechanic did not really want to take the time to look over my motor. I got some advice on using B12 Chemtool and it really cleaned the carbs out. In playing around with the motor I found small red valve and turned it while trying to start the engine and it fired right up and idled no problem. Do you have any idea what this valve is for? Anyway I had the boat out this weekend with the kids and it is running pretty good. I did notice that when I throttle up and increase speed the boat wants to pull hard to the left, any idea why? Great site thanks for all of your advice. Thanks again!!!!

You should have a trim tab just over the top of your propeller. move it to the left in small increments until you find the best spot that eliminaltes or minimizes the pull to the left.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

the pull of the motor can be adjusted with the small trim tab/anode on the motor above the prop... turn it in the direction of the pull. if the boat pulls to the left, adjust the back of the fin to the left.

that 88 is a great engine... might be worth a little time and $$

 

[ezeke]

Re: 88HP Johnson. Is it worth repairing????

When the boat pulls left, You need to turn the back of the trim tab left in small increments until it corrects the problem. The trim tab is the disk with a fin that is hanging just above the propeller.

The small red valve is the pypass for the primer solenoid. The valve should be left parallel to the cylindrical part of the solenoid. Activate it by pushing the ignition key in while cranking instead. Use the red lever only when you have a dead battery and need to rope start the motor.