Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

[RPM33]

Great forum - I'm new to it as of tonight! I'm hoping you can help me out as I just came back from a buddy's house where we were trying to get his 1984 Johnson 115hp V4 running. He melted the battery posts right off his existing battery so we new there was a problem.<br /><br />Problem is that when we turn it over (with a new battery), there is tremendous resistance at the flywheel. We replaced the starter, same thing. Then, we removed the plugs and it cranks pretty good. Put one plug in, and sure enough, it barely moves the flywheel. We tried going directly to the starter and there was a spark storm like the 4th of July (Yes, the wires were on correctly). Where else can we look? We're both new to working on outboards, and are anxious to get in the water to do some fishin'.<br /><br />Thanks for your help, Rick

 

[Walker]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Sounds like the starter is bad

 

[Hooty]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Has the engine been sitting up or running? If its been sitting, mix about three parts of Marvel Mystery Oil too one part of Liquid Wrench, squirt it in all of the spark plug holes and let it sit for a day or so, turning the flywheel every now and then and see if that loosens it up.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[RPM33]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Hooty,<br /><br />Thanks for the quick reply. We actually did that about a few days ago (love Marvels). When we took the plugs out, it cranks very fast - all piston seem to be well lubed.<br /><br />Any thoughts on the electrical side? As I mentioned there were a ton of sparks from the jumper cables when we went directly to the starter (with the ground to the block). It cranked better then, but still not great. Could it be the battery cables themselves?<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[RPM33]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Thanks Walker,<br /><br />We replaced the starter with a brand new one, but still the same problem. Any other thoughts on the electrical side of things?<br /><br />Thanks, RPM

 

[Walker]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Okay, you have a new starter and still had problems even jumping directly to the starter. See if you can move the flywheel side to side. If the top crank bearing is shot or a rod bearing set or even a wrist pin set, the flywheel can get in a bind when trying to start it with a load on the crank (sparkplugs in place). If the problem is a rod bearing or wristpin bearing the piston can get cocked in the cylinder as soon as compression start to build.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Actually a solenoid can do that (act like a bad starter), if it has high internal resistance. <br /><br />You'll get the spark storm anyway - those starters draw a surprising amount of current. <br />Disconnect the fat long red lead from the battery & from the starter. Leave the fat long black lead (negative ground) connected to the battery and the ground on the motor. Bolt the fat long red lead directly to the 12+ side of the starter securely. Then when you're ready, touch the other side of the red lead to the positive pole of the battery, clamping it on there right away with a pair of vice grips. You want a real good connection at all points. That should make the starter spin normally. Of course if it doesn't, you want to snap the vice grips open immediately (within a couple seconds) so that you don't start welding things together. Also if it doesn't, yes it does sound like you've got a problem - starter teeth binding at flywheel, some internal binding in the motor, etc..<br /><br />BTW, I'm right up in Granville.

 

[jarob]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Hi I have a 84 90hp Johnston and had a similar problem. First you should check the voltage at your starter at when trying to start. If the voltage is less than 9.5 to 10 volts you have an electrical supply problem. Check voltage at the battery on start up, if ok. connect voltmeter from neg. of battery to starter solenoid, if okay connect to the other side of the solenoid which goes to the starter,if this is lower, then your solenoid contacts are at fault. If not it would have to be a bad connection on the negative cable on the battery or on the outboard. Even after replacing cables, connections and buying a much larger marine battery mine still struggles on the initial turnover but always starts ok

 

[jarob]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Sorry on rereading the postings most of mine is irrelevent so I will go for the voltage test first at the battery and then at the starter when doing what ledgfinder suggests

 

[RPM33]

Re: Johnson 115 V4 Resistance

Thanks everyone for the advice. We'll get back to it with all of your suggestions and hopefully see you on the water! I appreciate the prompt replies.<br /><br />RPM