1992 Johnson 50 horse outboard

[mulehound]

I have a 1992 50 horse Johnson outboard. I bought the boat on 1996. Through the years the oil alarm would beep once in a while. A couple pumps on the oil bulb stopped it. The other day the alarm fired of continously. The indication was low fuel flow. I changed the filter on the lake. Still screaming. loaded the boat. Not many boat shops around Green River Utah. Had a shop check it out he said it was the sensor in the tank. he replaced it, and said you are good to go. Well the constant alarm is gone but if I troll or idle around fishing the oil alarm goes off about every fifteen minutes. I can see plenty of smoke lying on the water but I am still nervous. I have always used the best oil I can get. I don't want to ruin my engine, the walleye are calling right now. Any ideas? I called the boat repair shop and he says he has no idea. My alternative is to haul it 130 miles to someone else. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Darrel.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1992 Johnson 50 horse outboard

constant alarm is also running hot. have you considered going premix, and doing away with the oil tank and alarm? that way you know it is getting proper oil.

VRO conversion w/ pump still working

if the fuel side on your Pump is still working it is very simple. unplug the 2 line harness going to the oil tank, unplug the 3 or 4 wire harness, going to the Vro pump. cut and cap the oil line going into the motor. add oil to fuel tank, mix well, then remove fuel line at top carb, catching gas in a container, pump the fuel line bulb until you get premixed gas to the carb. you can tell as it will change color. put line back on carb, and go boating.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1992 Johnson 50 horse outboard

I'm all for the premix thing if in doubt. Check the head temperature as well.

 

[mulehound]

Re: 1992 Johnson 50 horse outboard

I found someone who has run Johnson outboards for the last twenty years. We put the muffs on and he started looking things over. Ruled out overheating. He could stop the alarm instantly by tapping on the top of the oil tank where the oil line and wires exit the top, or pumping the oil line bulb. He suggested that the tank float and sensor needed to be replaced. I told him that a shop had just replaced it. Next stop VRO? He asked if I had missed any updates or recalls on the VRO. I told him I had no idea. He then suggested pre-mix. He said mix your gaqs unplug the alarm ,go fishing then take it to a shop. That plan has it's appeal but double oil would foul plugs I think.
Thanks Darrel.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1992 Johnson 50 horse outboard

Double oil would certainly make certain that the motor had enough lubrication however it would run smokier especially if trolling. Disconnect and plug the oil feed and mix your gas following what Tashasdaddy said. Disconnect the alarm and you are now converted to premix. Make sure you pump enough fuel through to get premix straight into the motor though.

 

[mulehound]

Re: 1992 Johnson 50 horse outboard

Well I went the pre mix route and went fishing. Had a great time, second time in my life iv'e seen largemouth boils. The other day I stopped in my buddies mechanic shop. H told me a guy had bought a bigger engine for his boat and he was going to take his johnson 50 off and put the other on. The guy called me and wants to trade me out of a rifle for the engine. It is a 1999 50 horse but it does not have a tiller for steering. He says I should just be able to put the tiller off mine on it. I have not seen it. Is this possibile? I am going to look at it in the next few days.
Thanks.
Darrel.