johnson 200 89 no power

[MOTAS]

I have a Johnson 200/89, with a recent job done to rebuild the 6 carbs, new ignition coils, new power pack, new timer base...., lot of $$$$$$... It ran fine until yesterday when it suddenly lost power and went from 5000 rpm to no more than 2500/3000.<br />Don,t know if by coincidence, but the also new prime pump softens at the 4 or 5th stroke, but anyhow engine starts quite easily.<br />Spark plugs (brand new) are wet(black) and idle became rough.<br />All the "genius" at the marina give their opinion, and majority vote against the VRO fuel pump that can be leaking and making too rich the mixture.<br />Did someone had any similar problem with his engine?

 

[jegervais]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Did you get any warning alarm or buzzer? Does the alarm system work?? Unless something suddenly went out, it sound like the engine MAY have gone into S.L.O.W. mode - that stands for Speed Limiting Overheat Warning. In the event of an overheat the powerpack would cut out ignition until rpm was reduced to around 2500-2800 or so. The engine would run so badly and shake, you would think it was going to come off the transom. Is this what it did?? <br /><br />-John

 

[Hooty]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Mr. MOTAS,<br />If the priming bulb is going flat, I would think fuel pump or leak between bulb and carb. Tell us whatcha find.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[MOTAS]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Alarm system is ok. Temperature was below 150 F.<br />Boat is dry storaged at an inland marina located 15 miles from Porteverglades, so I have to run in Idle for 45 to 50 minutes before I arrive to the port where is important to have power to pass the high waves. It runs at full power for less than a minute , then I felt like we were towing a big rock. After that it trolls ok, but turns off very easily at 1000 rpm or less.<br />I replaced the plugs and solved the problem at idle, but again happened the same problem at the port.<br />When Engine is turned off, I see some air inside the small plastic fuel filter located before the VRO. Is that normal?.

 

[MOTAS]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Thank you captains.<br />Engine is a 6V, and one power head is cold and the other ( where most of the water hoses are) is hot. Could this be the reason for the S.L.O.W to operate? Where is the temperature bulb located? I see one in the head that is hot.<br />Is it normal this difference in surface temperature?

 

[Hooty]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Mr. Motas,<br />No,it's not normal for one side to be hotter than the other. How hot is "hot"?<br />Can you keep your hand on the hot side?<br />Engine could very easily be going into S.L.O.W mode.<br />I wouldn't run it until I found out what's wrong. Your manual will show where heat sensors are. If you don,t have a manual, I would suggest the OEM manual and the original owner's manual. Both can be had from Ken Cook Marine Publications. They have a web sight. Good luck and keep us informed.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[MOTAS]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Just replace this morning the thermostat of the side that was hot, now I can put my hand on it and both have similar temperature. Gauge shows 140 F with the engine out of the water, just with the flushing hose. <br />I take out some insulation from inside the cover, just in case that could be a reason for the power pack to heat and go to S.L.O.W..<br />Will test on water next saturday and tell you what happen.

 

[MOTAS]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Thank you Hootie and John.<br />Let me ask something: Is it normal that engine looses some fuel from the carburetors when it is tilted up? I removed the carburetors silencer and found some oily fuel, that means more oil than gas, inside it. All the hoses are dry and clean, as all the gaskets of the carburetors.<br />Thanks in advance for your collaboration.

 

[reddog23]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Not normal.Just went through this on my 87 225. The lower carb had a stuck float and was flooding and leaking into the silencer when tilted up and trailered home. I know you mention that you had the carbs rebuilt. Did you rebuild them or did you have someone else do them? Sometimes work that is paid for is not really done. Sad but true. With the silencer off and the engine not running, squeeze the primer bulb until it is hard and then hold pressure on it and look at the carbs and see if you see any overflow.If the primer bulb won't get really firm you have a leak somewhere. Another place i found a leak was the o-ring on the manual primer lever. I replaced mine and the bulb now get rock hard.<br />Reddog

 

[MOTAS]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

I paid someone to rebuild engine carbs. The primer bulb won't get really firm but I have not found any leak. This is happening after the work on the carbs.<br />Is there any chemical to be injected to try to fix the problem before I have to remove again the carburetors?

 

[reddog23]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

No chemicals to unstick carbs.You can unscrew the large float bowl screw and see if you see any discoloration that indicates bad gas (shellac color). <br />Also ALWAYS check to most obvious possible problem. You did not mention that if you changed the primer bulb. The check valve inside my be your problem.I replace my primer bulb every year or so.<br />Reddog

 

[MOTAS]

Re: johnson 200 89 no power

Thank you Reddog23.<br />I just arrived from a long day trying to solve my engine problem. The only part that has not been replaced in this engine is the fuel pump, so I will do this week. Engine starts very easy and runs perfect in idle until I arrive to the ocean and require full power. It has no power and it feels like it is not receiving enough fuel, then the idle becomes rough and engine sneezes, and spark plugs become wet of gas. There is a small oil leak at the fuel pump, will check that as soon I remove the pump and tach is reading twice the real rpm's.