1977 Johnson 115 Tune up

[BassAssassin2009]

Just curious...you guys think its worth it to spend 200$ on paying the shop for cleaning the carburetor. I called and they estimate at 100$ an hour. Also I took a peek through the spark plug hole and notice the pistons are corroded with carbon, but the motor idle and ran pretty good. I was reading about decarb and how it will help the motor but I also read about problems such as leak in gaskets and other stuff afterward. Should I just leave it alone until something comes up? I just bought the boat and wanted to tune it up.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1977 Johnson 115 Tune up

If you are mechanically inclined then get yourself an OMC manual and do the tune up yourself. It's not that difficult. Parts are readily available and you will know the job is done and done right. There are some great outboard mechanics around (a lot on this forum) but there are a lot of horror stories also that cost people money for the wrong initial diagnosis.

 

[crb478]

Re: 1977 Johnson 115 Tune up

You can buy a can of carb cleaning solvent with the basket built in, two carb kits and make a tool to remove the jets with the instructions here. Then buy new plugs and a can of seafoam and do a good decarb before switching plugs. Then you will still have over $100 to put gas in the boat. Probably over 150.

 

[LiLGrady17]

Re: 1977 Johnson 115 Tune up

Like those above said, if your a mechanical person, get a manual, 2 kits & have at it. I rebuilt mine last year. They're the simplest carbs I'd ever seen, coming from an auto background. No adjustments of mixtures, bleeds, ect. All machined orifices that just need to be cleaned. Search on here for the 'OMC orifice tool'. Nothing expensive, It's a modified, ground tip screwdriver. Also, make sure you pull the disc plugs out & clean the small passages with a wire as recommended on here. Work on an old cookie sheet or disposable alum tray so nothing gets away, & soak all the small metal pieces in a pickle jar with carb cleaner overnight. I'd also recommend replacing the floats too, bend & set the new float heights to the exact height as the old ones. I didn't, & followed the recommended set up. Runs like a champ on the trailer & water, but after bobbing around on a drift for 20-30 minutes with the engine off, the engine gets flooded & is hard starting.
Protect your work by giving your fuel system a once over now as well, replacing the filter(s) & checking the fuel pump screen. In all, it may cost you the same money, but you'll learn alot, and have some idea what to check when, not 'if', the boat doesn't start on the water..

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1977 Johnson 115 Tune up

If it's running well there's no need to rebuild the carbs. Running fresh gas with a little seafoam mixed in (as per the can) will keep them clean. Do a decarb. It won't create any problems that aren't already there.

If you just bought the boat, replace the impeller (or get the shop to do it), unless you've got receipts telling you it's been done in the last 2 years. And, put fresh lube in the lower unit with two new seals on the drain/fill plugs.

Enjoy your new boat.

 

[BassAssassin2009]

Re: 1977 Johnson 115 Tune up

So I managed to call the former owner of the boat and he said he just cleaned the carburetor and decarb about 6-7 months ago. What he did was took off the plugs and spray seafoam in there and crank up the motor. He didn't bother checking it and put the old plugs back in.

One other thing I going to do is change some of the wires around the motor otherwise I think I'm ready for the this weekend bass tournament and spend the 200$ on lures.