87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

[voodooman]

I've got an 87 225 Johnson Ocean Runner. It was running fine last week but the other day on the dock I was having trouble getting it started. A guy that said he was an outboard mechanic checked it and said it was probably my power pack (strong spark on 1 and 2 but weak on 3, he only checked one side). He was checking spark with a wire and a screwdriver so I don't know how accurate it was. We didn't pull a plug. Fire seems to be ok now. I changed out the power pack and it did the same thing. It seemed like it wasn't getting fuel so I changed out the water separator and the fuel filter. Now it cranks quick but it won't go over 3000 RPM. I was running over 4500 last week. I've still got the new power pack on but I'm not sure why it won't plane off. It doesn't seem to be linkage, at least it looks like there's plenty of travel. I also changed out the plugs but it didn't help either. Thanks for the help.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Voodooman....Welcome to the site. When was the last time you had the carbs rebuilt on that 87?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Voodooman.....take a set of compression readings on the cylinders. Let us know what ya' find. This will eleiminate/confirm one potential problem.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Your engine has a shift cut-out switch attached to the shift lever on the stb. side of your motor. If it is shorted, it kills the spark on 3 cylinders. It is easily overlooked.<br /><br />If your warning horn is inoperative, you may have the motor in its "limp home" mode called SLOW, if there is a faulty or shorted sensor on your engine.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I've only owned the boat for two months so I'm not sure on the carb rebuild, but they were running fine before the power pack change. It's kinda odd since the motor runs great up to 3000 but then it just won't go anymore. It has started cutting out on me just when it clicks into gear, which it didn't used to do. I'll try to get compression readings this afternoon, but a month ago they were all in good shape (checked them when I bought it). I'll drag out the manual and see if I can check the warning horn. I didn't have time to check the spark on all six cylinders yesterday, but I'm gonna check it out first thing this afternoon. Thanks again guys.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

The fuel mixture was wrong I think. It was mixed 25:1 instead of 50:1. The injection system was disconnected so I was told to mix the gas 25:1. Any chance this could be a problem?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I would bet on Seahorses theory about the shift interrupter switch. That or there are some crossed primary wires on the pack to coil side.<br /><br />You didnt post the model number but if its indeed an 87, there isnt a SLOW mode. However, if you have an 88 model thats a possibility too.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I was originally told it was a '94 200 (cowling says 200). When the plugs didn't match, I called the local marina and gave them the numbers off of the round plate above the 'V6' on the back of the motor that read: E225TXCUB G1448452 and they said it was an '87 225. Those numbers don't match the ones down by the tilt and trim so I don't know what's going on. Guess I've spent too much time fishin' and not enough time learning about my motor.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

OK, thats an 87 225 block. Describe the power pack and where it sits. That will tell us which ignition system we are dealing with.<br /><br />You've only mentioned one pack so I bet we're dealing with the newer ignition.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I replaced the 586661 with another 586661 that sits on top of what I believe to be the power head. The front of it slips just under the disc with the teeth that engages into the starter drive. All of the color coded wires matched up but there were two pair of grey wires so I didn't figure it mattered which pair went to which.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Yep, thats the newer style ignition so it could indeed be going into SLOW. I'm still betting on Seahorses theory about the shift interrupter as long as the firing order is correct.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I'll get out the manual and see if I can check it. Thanks.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I don't see shift interrupter in my manual. Any chance it has another name? My manual covers up to '90.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Its on the lower starboard side right near where the shift cable connects.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

I think I found it. The black w/yellow wire was connected but the black one going to the top of the power pack (I assume it's the ground) was pretty corroded. I wire brushed it and maybe now it'll work. I have to go to the water to test it above 3000 RPM so I'll check it in the morning. Thanks again.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Well I just put it in the water after cleaning the connections on the shift interrupter and it wouldn't get over 2800 RPM. Good fire on all plugs on the trailer, but I don't have a way to check it at 2800. It looks like the linkage is ok on the side of the motor, and it doesn't look like there's much adjustment left, but at 1500 RPM my throttle lever is almost all of the way forward. All I did was change the power pack, I didn't mess with any of that. Any help is appreciated.

 

[ob]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

Remove the engine cover and while turning the prop ,shift controls into forward.Remove the intake silencer cover and insure that the carb flaps are fully horizontally open at full throttle position.Also observe the timer base(under the flywheel) and make sure it travels freely all the way to the rubber capped stop.

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

When I couldn't get it started the first time, I removed the cowling and a rectangular piece with a rubber stop on it fell out. I didn't know where it went so it's sitting on the work bench. Maybe it's a problem?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

That sounds like one of the hood latches thats supposed to be inside the hood. Might not be related.<br /><br />Where in south Florida are you?

 

[voodooman]

Re: 87 225 won't go over 3000 RPM

West Palm