1992 Johnson 60HP @ WOT but cruising speed

[spacerust]

I recently purchased a ‘13 Dargel scooter and put a 1992 Johnson 60HP on it. I purchased the boat and motor separately. The scooter weighs 350 lbs (as per manufacture) and I don’t really have anything on there other than 2 people, ice chest, and fishing gear. The motor doesn’t have a tach and I don’t know the pitch of the prop. I tried looking all over, but the only marking say 1995 (year?). It runs fine at home on muffs, but finally took it out on the water and when I take off, it doesn’t really go anywhere. It seems like we are just graciously cruising at WOT. I can bring back the throttle and it will slow even more, but I don’t seem to be getting a good RPM. Before I start buying or replacing anything, what checklist or steps should I take to resolve this?

It starts fine, idles fine, but when I throttle it will just cruise along even at WOT. Suggestions?

carbs are cleaned, new fuel lines, fresh gas, new plugs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[racerone]

They all sound wonderful on a hose.-----Will bark and roar on 2 of 3 cylinders !!------It means nothing.-----Do a compression test , post your numbers.----Check for MAXIMUM spark on each lead.---Must jump a gap of 3/8" ( 10mm ) or better ( 1/2" preferred ) on these systems.

 

[spacerust]

Okay. I will check compression and post. What do I need to check the spark jump gap? Which tool?

 

[racerone]

Your local automotive supply will have a tool.----Or make it with some wire , glue and plywood.-----You just need wires that have a gap of 3/8" or more between them.

 

[spacerust]

Here are the compression test results:

Cylinder 1: 140, 140, 130, 135, 140
Cylinder 2: 140, 140, 135, 135, 135
Cylinder 3: 130, 140, 135, 135, 135

I did notice this when I removed the plugs. They are in order from 1-3 respectively:

The second and third one still looks like I just took them out of the package.

 

[racerone]

Sounds like it iis only running on one cylinder then.-------What color stripe is on the orange wire for the #1 cylinder-------Is it blue ?-----Is it green for # 3 cylinder ?

 

[spacerust]

Yes

cylinder 1: blue
cylinder 2: red
cylinder 3: green

 

[oldboat1]

Also think it's a spark/ignition problem. Use an open adjustable tester to see what the ignition output is:

Make sure the motor is spinning fast enough for good output. Remove all plugs for testing, and be sure the battery is a good one, fully charged. Sandpaper the cable ends until shiny. If the motor spins over fast with the plugs out, but not so fast with plugs in (when it counts, finally), the starter may need cleaning or new brushes.

 

[flyingscott]

Is the throttle cable connected? Do the carbs open.all the way?

 

[spacerust]

Throttle cable is connected and they do open all the way.

The orange wires going to the ignition coils, to me, seems dirty so I cleaned them up. I also checked continuity on the spark plug wires and they seem to check out as well. I checked the ignition coils and the ohms were all about the same, around 278 or so. I’m waiting for my wife or someone to turn the key so I can check the spark plug fire distance to see if it’s at least 3/8ths, but it probably won’t be until late this afternoon unless someone knows a way I can do it by myself.

 

[spacerust]

Battery is brand new and charged.

 

[spacerust]

Here are three short videos of the in line spark testing at 1/2 inch.

 

[spacerust]

[No message]

 

[spacerust]

[No message]

 

[Sea Rider]

If all is good, check prop, probably on its way to become fully spun ?

Happy Boating

 

[jimmbo]

Drain the carbs to see if Fuel is getting to all three

 

[oldboat1]

(btw -- if testing spark or compression with the remaining plugs in, pull the boots or the motor could fire up.)