Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

[steviecops]

Hi.<br />I have just bought a boat with a Johnson 55 electric start. The engine runs very well, although it is a bit lumpy at tick over.<br /><br />Could you please help me to date the engine? The model number is 55 EL 80C. From that, I would think it is a 1980, but I would have expected to see the letters CS in the model number.<br /><br />Also, is the 55 hp a good engine, and what, if any, problems do I need to look out for?<br /><br />Thanks for your help.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

1980 is correct. Go here for confirmation: Model Guide <br />All of the OMC motors are good in my opinion, but they all required some basic understanding, routine maintenance, and a willingness to follow certain guidelines in order to make them last for forty or fifty years as mine have. If you want all of the secrets, buy the owners manual, service manual, and parts manual. Make your purchases OMC model specific. You can buy them here: OMC Manuals

 

[steviecops]

Re: Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

Thanks for that Ezeke.<br />What about the lumpy running at tick over? Is it anything to worry about, or is it just something to put up with?<br /><br />The engine starts easy and runs like a dream at all speeds. There are no flat spots, It's just that it seems to tick over slowly resulting in the engine jumping about a bit.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

I'm not sure what you mean by tick over.

 

[steviecops]

Re: Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

I'm sorry. I mean at idling speed.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

Could be just idling too slowly. Warm the engine, tie to dock, and adjust to 750 RPM in forward gear. (You need the boat in the water and the motor at running temperature under load to do this<br />properly.)<br />You may also find that the problem will be resolved by using a higher octane fuel.

 

[steviecops]

Re: Help please. What year is my Johnson 55?

Thanks again ezeke.<br /><br />I'll give it a go.