1983 johnson

critter34

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need some input i took my boat out and ran it for 30min.it quit pulled the plugs first top 2 were coco brown other one was black so i changed them boat ran for 5 min. and quit so i took it to a marina to have compression checked 120 all 3cyl. they said the carbs were gummed up mind you i hadnt had that problem since the first day i pulled it out of storage so they installed kits plus floats they called back and said they couldnt get it to run on 3cyl.so they pulled the head and found center cyl. had a little scoring i said put back together i would like to use it in the bay that i wouldnt go to far just wanted to fish a little with my kids they said ok if need be you could get by with 2cyl launched boat again started up it was running on 3 but had a wine to it took it around the bay a couple of times and it set up almost put me through the windsheild got towed back i pulled the plugs they were almost white motor ran lean what could have caused this any ideas? carb job or removal of head? i found out later that the marina had changed hands and the new owner had made alot of enemies by overcharging and not fixing problems correctly
 
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jtexas

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Oct 13, 2003
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Re: 1983 johnson

My guess is engine overheated resulting in siezure. ;)

Seriously you'll have to pull the cylinder head to inspect the damage - take some pics and post 'em here. You'll get some opinions for sure.

Water pump failure?
Inadequate oil?
 

JB

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45,907
Re: 1983 johnson

Any obection to telling us what engine you are talking about, critter?
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

What Caused Overheating? Water Was Squirting Out The Bay Was Low And Lots Of Mud I Wont Be Able To Pick Up Untill This Weekend To Pull It Apart And See . Can Gaskets Be Installed Incorrectly ? The Plugs When I Took Them Out Had No Evidance Of Lean Mixture Until Afetr It Was At The Marina
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1983 johnson

When is the last time the cooling system has been serviced, the impeller most importantly. Tested the overheat alarm by grounding it out??
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

No Never Did Water Was Squirting Figured Everything Was Ok
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

has anyone thought about my problem? the marina did take the head off middle cyl. had a little scoring but still held 120psi why did this motor set up
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1983 johnson

You have said "set up" a couple times, I am unfamiliar with this term, please explain. Just because water is "squirting out" doesnt mean cooling system is operating properly. If you are unsure of the age of that impeller, you should really make some time to check it out as well. Cheap part, drastic consequences when it fails.
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

the first time the motor wouldnt turn over with starter after it quit so i let it sit for awhile until i could pull with rope then it started but it ran only on 2cyl.i then changed the plugs no differance took to marina they installed kits why? i dont know they said the carbs were plugged alittle then they called and said it wouldnt run on 3 so they pulled the head saw the scoring called me back and said have you up and running by noon 6500.00 with a 2008 evinrude 60hp my other choice would be to rebuild for 2800.00 i asked again what was the compression they told me again 120psi in each cyl.i said put it back together ill run it on 2cyl. in the bay just for fishing .i then picked it up launched it and it ran on 3cyl. but with a high pitch sound like it had a turbo on it 10 min later it quit very suddenly i was towed back to the dock i pulled plugs they appeared to be very lean now the motor turns but very hard thaught maybe lower unit issues pulled plug no metal shine anywhere double checked oil mixture 50:1 16oz to 6gallons of gas i always mix rich for a little assurance im going back north next week to pick it up and tear it down
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

yes set up tighter than tight broke loose the first time second time not so lucky checkrd fuel mixture on oil bottle everything was good
 

Gary H NC

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Re: 1983 johnson

The whining noise was probably the scored piston before it over heated and seized to the cylinder walls...
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

does not turn free enough to use starter very hard to turnover so it doesnt matter how much water is squirting it still could be plugged or the impellar could be bad i always thaught that when the water came out of the line it was good to go i wonder if it will free up again if i change the impellar
 

jtexas

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Re: 1983 johnson

You can't turn the flywheel by hand? Pee stream only indicates the water pump is pumping, it doesn't tell you that its cooling the engine - could have inadequate water pressure due to worn impleller or an obstruction elsewhere in the system. Have you tested your overtemp horn?

At this point all 3 plugs look the same (white)? they're all brand new though, right? Why not drop the L/U and see if that frees up the powerhead.

Your scenario sounds too strange, compression of 120/120/120, obviously good spark else why would the marina install carb kits then pull the cylinder head? Then they found a cylinder so scored that it wasn't making power, yet the compression was good?
 

critter34

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Re: 1983 johnson

the motor turns very hard piston must of had a melt down cant tell until i get it apart .what im wondering is that squirter was like a jet stream does that not mean that its ok to run?
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1983 johnson

Like JTexas said, just because you have a steady pee stream, doesnt mean you are cooling the motor, just that you are pumping water. Have you tested the overheat horn like asked? Try if you can to answer the questions asked before asking more, it is getting rather confusing...and try re testing the compression and spark numbers, they do seem sketchy like JT said with a scored cylinder wall.
 

Solittle

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Re: 1983 johnson

If the plugs were super clean after you last ran it that can indicate water in the cylinders.

I agree with HighTrim on checking the compression again YOURSELF. Post the results back here. While the plugs are out, put it in neutral and turn the flywheel by hand. Does it turn over smoothly?
 
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