1991 Johnson won't run over idle speed

[DroptopMike]

I have the aforementioned motor, never had a minute's trouble with it, except that when almost new, the oil warning horn would blow continuously, but the oil pump was working fine, so I disconnected it. Fast forward ten years, the motor still runs perfectly, but one day, it would not run over idle speed (or close to it). It seems like I remember this as a safety device to keep from burning up the engine. Could my oil pump be out?

 

[JB]

Re: 1991 Johnson won't run over idle speed

Howdy, Mike.<br /><br />You must be referring to the S.L.O.W. system, an overheat feature to save the engine. <br /><br />Could be. You said you disconnected "it". Was that the VRO system or just the alarm? Until your engine is fixed, run 50:1 mix and disconnect the oil pump (plug the oil inlet to the pump).<br /><br />In any event it wouldn't take over until the engine got hot. I get the impression that your current problem is immediate. Is that so?<br /><br />If so, check to see if all cylinders are making power by disabling each cylinder in turn. <br /><br />Let us know what you find and we'll plot a course.