1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

loweL1930

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Sep 7, 2003
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Motor runs great at first day start up, drive 8 to 10 miles not a burp. Start again 2 hours later and motor runs great at first and then misses. Sounds almost like not enough fuel or air/water in gas. Slow down and it runs good again but get to higher RPM and then coughs. Try again and then can go WOT throttle with no problem. Whatever this is it seems to be getting worse and happening more often but still intermittent and never actually stalls. Could this be the VRO(fuel/oil pump) starting to go or what?
 

loweL1930

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Also to note: I did put a can of ethynol alcohol in the tank in case of water and did try the gas line straight from the tank bypassing the water seperator....no change. Can also call me toll free at 1-888-264-5444 if you have any solutions or questions....Thanks in advance
 

Walker

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

do you have a small inline filter inside the motor housing?? Change it. Alcohol not only obsorbs water(good) it also cleans up the inside of your tank and loosens up any rust and crud(bad) and dries out rubber hoses and gaskets(bad)
 

Solittle

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Put a fuel filter/water seperator in the fuel line if you do not already have one. I agree on the air/water in the fuel.
 

loweL1930

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Sep 7, 2003
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

I already have a water/fuel separator, I do have the inline filter as well but the water fuel separator also acts as a filter and the inline filter is not that old. I guess I can try that and rule the filter out, I'm still thinking that it could be the VRO
 

kevin Ron

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

I have a similar problem with my 95 175hp if you figure it out drop me a line.<br />Thanks
 

loweL1930

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

I hope I can get to the root of this problem, the more I read in past posts the more I think it could be just about anything. Is it fuel related, is it electrical? My guess is as good as anyone else, I have it in the shop right now and even the wrenches there are wondering.
 

loweL1930

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

I spoke to another wrench today and he said I should replace the VRO as it has not been replaced in years. The other thing to check is the pick up in the inboard tank. When the manufactured the LOwe L1930 they put a check valve in the tank connection, he told me to remove that valve. Any thoughts on these two items?
 

Walker

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Try a remote 6 gal tank before you start messing with your builtin. If the remore tank solves your problem your way ahead.
 

Hooty

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Oct 2, 2001
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

There is a good chance the problem is fuel related. That cough you refered to sounds like a "lean sneeze" ta me and it's just what it's name implies. It's caused by too lean of a fuel/air mixture. Might even be a plugged up carburetor jet.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty
 

loweL1930

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Well, the carb has been cleaned the VRO checked out fine, all cylinders have great compression, 138, 139, 140 and 140. Will be checking the stator next, is there anyway of checking the stator as this problem although intermittent does seem to be getting worse.
 

loweL1930

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Ended up being the timing base, changed that and everything is fine.
 

kevin Ron

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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Yeah thats what I was going to tell you I had the same problem and the timing base was cracked. Checked out fine at idle but would start to mess things up after warm up and when the boat was out in the water bouncing around.
 

jimmycu1

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Apr 21, 2004
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Hi, my name is jimmy, I have a 1995 130 hp johnson. I have had an ongoing problem, Lets say I am doing about 45 to 50 mph motor seems to be running great, just flying down the lake, and all of a sudden the motor starts to shake and I lose speed, not a total lose of power, now I put in neutral and try to accelerate , it shakes into accelleration. my problem is also intermitten. First the mechanic says it is my powerpack, but my motor blows a piston, predetination. I get my motor rebuilt, and I am now rebuilding it again, My ring froze up on the piston. carbs don't look bad, the fuel tanks have been cleaned dried out , new gas , now the mechanic is resleaving the cylinders and I am hoping to find the original problem so I don't blow this motor. Right after the rebuild, I took it to another mechanic who found the rings froze on the piston, well he also realized I didn't have an overheat alarm, and once he changed that and the thermostats , he ran the motor only to find the overheat alarm was going off and tipping us off to an overheat problem. we have checked the jackets around the cylinders, the ports {tunnels} running through the block, and the ports underneath the powerhead leading to the lower unit. well I don't think I left anything out. happy boating , hope to here from you , jimmy
 

jimmycu1

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Apr 21, 2004
Messages
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Hi, my name is jimmy, I have a 1995 130 hp johnson. I have had an ongoing problem, Lets say I am doing about 45 to 50 mph motor seems to be running great, just flying down the lake, and all of a sudden the motor starts to shake and I lose speed, not a total lose of power, now I put in neutral and try to accelerate , it shakes into accelleration. my problem is also intermitten. First the mechanic says it is my powerpack, but my motor blows a piston, predetination. I get my motor rebuilt, and I am now rebuilding it again, My ring froze up on the piston. carbs don't look bad, the fuel tanks have been cleaned dried out , new gas , now the mechanic is resleaving the cylinders and I am hoping to find the original problem so I don't blow this motor. Right after the rebuild, I took it to another mechanic who found the rings froze on the piston, well he also realized I didn't have an overheat alarm, and once he changed that and the thermostats , he ran the motor only to find the overheat alarm was going off and tipping us off to an overheat problem. we have checked the jackets around the cylinders, the ports {tunnels} running through the block, and the ports underneath the powerhead leading to the lower unit. well I don't think I left anything out. happy boating , hope to here from you , jimmy
 

Walker

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Jun 15, 2002
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

Start a new thread Jimmy. You'll get better responses and its understood here that we don't hijack someone elses thread.
 

jimmycu1

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Apr 21, 2004
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

I apologize for the inconvenience, I thought there might be some similarities between our motors, won't happen again
 

Hsport

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Nov 10, 2003
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Re: 1994 Johnson 120 - strange problem.

I had similar issue with my 225, I replaced the power pack and fixed the problem. Directions for testing power pack are in the manuel but because it only happened every now and then it did not test bad on my engine. <br /><br />Good Luck
 
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