1987 Johnson 120 VRO - Intermittent Loss of Power - What to Check?

WA-Newb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
238
I have recently posted a thread asking how to bypass the VRO system in my recently purchased 120 Johnson but now I have spoken to the previous owner and got a little more info.

The problem started two years ago and he would be out fishing when all of a sudden it would have a total loss of power..he said everything felt like a fuel related issue and it seemed to flood out at times while on muffs.

This is what he had done to remedy the problem..but with no success.

1. Bought new VRO pump (said it was around $600)
2. Drained tank and cleaned out with Seafoam (was advised to do so)
3. Paid to have carbs rebuilt ($500)
4. Checked all fuel lines and filter for clogs or leaks (found none)


Problem still happened so he sold me the setup.

Now it's my turn to try and diagnose / fix this and need your help..I have limited knowledge of outboards still but with the help of this forum have been able to fix three this year..thanks to all :)

What I have done since getting this (besides installing new steering cable) is:
1. Checked compression (125 on all)
2. Checked spark with a bulb that goes between plug and wire (all have spark at least but not sure how to tell if it's good enough)
3. Found the throttle advance spring was corroded and not going forward when throttle was applied..lubed and got it working.
4. Ran on muffs..idles o.k. but when throttled up it seemed like it flooded or was sluggish and died.


One other note..right before selling it to me he found a wire that goes somewhere under the stator / flywheel and he said it was hardly connected...he fixed that and it seemed to run better on the muffs for him...not sure if that is related or has any meaning etc.

Thank you.
 

WA-Newb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
238
Re: 1987 Johnson 120 VRO - Intermittent Loss of Power - What to Check?

Just went out and after cleaning all the connections tried starting it again...it does start but that's about it.

So sorry for the lame attempt here but this is what it sounds like...

Ba ba ba ba zing..ba ba ba ba zing....ba ba ba ba zing...back fires and dies.

Start and repeat...same thing.

Also..it is shaking the wheel back and forth quite a bit and dies when I try to give it any throttle.

Any ideas?

Not sure if it's related or not but the warm up / neutral throttle (lever on top, not the actual throttle) does not seem to do anything when I pull it up...cable is hooked up as far as I can tell.
 
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