85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

[iRich]

Hi all, I finally got my boat in the water after rebuilding transom, etc...Anyhow I drove it for about half an hour and the alarm in the control box went off. I shut it down immediately and took the cover off the motor and it felt hot but not extremely hot...water wouldn't sizzle on it, but i couldn't hold my hand on it more than a second or two either. With the engine off turning the key one click caused it to sound alarm. after 15-20 minutes alarm no longer sounded so I started it up and drove back to ramp about 3 miles away at 10 mph. alarm did not sound again. It was pumping water. I did find a fuel leak from where i took the filter out to clean it. when i put it back together the neck on the plastic housing attached to the hose was over one of the mounting screws and did not get a good seal. A pretty good leak actually. Do you think this could have caused the alarm to go off by one carb not getting enough fuel and therefore oil? I haven't ran it again yet as i need to get a throttle cable also. It never ends does it? <br /> Btw, the engine is a 1975, model# 85ESLY5E<br /><br /> Thanks,<br /><br />Rich

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Rich.... The 1975 85hp model has but one alarm which is an overheat alarm. There is no other engine problem that would enable it. You have either picked up a plastic bag which would clog the water intake (until you stopped and tilted the engine, then it would drop off), or the engine is mounted improperly, or you have a failing water pump.

 

[ob]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Was engine just as hot to touch after returning three miles back to dock?Don't think that motor is equipped with vro so if your not getting fuel your not getting oil.If the fuel leak you mention was at filter it would not just starve one carb anyway , but all carbs as the filters are generally located at inlet side of fuel pump.Like Joe says sounds like waterflow problem .Intake blocked,weak pump,Sticky thermostat, friction issues,or excessive load on engine as mounted too low or not propped to turn recommended rpms.

 

[iRich]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Hi, Thanks for the replies. At least I can rule out my carb theory. I didn't feel the motor when I got back to the dock, but the alarm didn't go off again either. If it was the water pump failing wouldn't it have set the alarm off again within 3 miles, even at low speed? Also, is the buzzer designed to buzz continously when you click the key if the engine is hot? I have also read where some motors give a short buzz when starting the motor so you know the alarm is working. Mine doesn't do this, should it? thanks,<br /><br />Rich

 

[ob]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

No , later model motors are equipped with system check.Yours won't sound when turning key on unless getting alarm from sensor.You can do one of two things.water test motor under same as original conditions to see if it alarms, of course you stand risk of overheat and engine damage, or assume the worse and check cooling system out as per above advice.Higher rpms = more friction= more heat.Newer set-ups incorporate S.L.O.W. for an overheat alarm that limit rpms for this situation.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Rich.... There are two different horns. The older horn is strictly electric. The later model horn is an electronic one. You have the electric horn which does not incorporate the warning tone when the key is turned on.<br /><br />When a water pump is failing, it will pump at a slow rpm..... but not at a higher rpm due to the fact that the impeller blades are weaker and folding back among other failings. Obviously the horn would not engage at the lower rpms.<br /><br />Replace the complete assy rather than just the impeller to avoid repeat repairs.

 

[iRich]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Hi, I will replace the water pump just to be safe. I hooked up to the muffs and noticed water squirting out from two places at the seam of the lower unit and the upper part. I would guess that water pump seal must be bad to allow this correct? Apparently the gasket between the the lower unit and upper has been breached also. <br /><br />Rich

 

[pennyanman]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

I agree with posts on waterpump, but I have also found that happening because of pin holes in head gaskets and the water deflectors being swelled up so that they pinch off water flow around the cylinders. I found out the hard way, by sticking a piston!

 

[iRich]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Hi, I thought I'd give an update on this little problem. first, I have a water pump kit w/housing on the way. A thermostat also. I am going to change both just because i don't know the history of this motor. I wouldn't believe the guy I bought it from if he told me the sky was blue. Anyhow, the problem was actually my fiddling around with a screw I shouldn't have. I thought it was a throttle stop and i could get a little more from the engine if i adjusted it. I did get a few more rpm's, but after replacing the throttle cable today I realized it is a stop screw for the timing advance. I turned it back to where it was and fired it up and let it run on the muffs for 20 mins. and it barely got warm. Now i need to get a fuel pump and I should be in business. <br /> Just in time to winterize until next year. <br /><br />Thanks for the help guys,<br /><br />Rich

 

[Jamar]

Re: 85hp johnson alarm sounded off...

Hey Rich, glad you found the problem but heres a note for future reference. buzzers sometimes buzz there a***s off, till they buzz themselves to death. Just because it stopped working doesn't mean the problem isn't still there, buzzers sometimes need replacing. I dont think this is your case, like i said, just for future reference.