1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

martyweir

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Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
14
Hey all, just bought the boat this year so I'm still getting used to it's quirks, but something is not right here.

1997 Stratos DC2100 with a 1997 Johnson Ocean Pro 200 - Pretty sure prop is 19 pitch, 14" (apologies I will verify next time I'm down on the water)

I'm having hit or miss idle issues that I'm working through - where it's tough to keep it idling, or when shifting in gear it stalls. It's on and off but the boat sat for 3 years before I bought it (was serviced though) and I'm thinking that may be part of the issue.

Main issue is that WOT is very low from what I've read. It's around 4200 rpm. I'm wondering where to start to troubleshoot this. Checking plugs? Timing? Obviously I want to check the easy stuff before I go and start swapping out props, because this prop seems to be in line with what came on the boat. Any other items that I'm overlooking?

The boat has a manual jack plate which was way up when I bought it, but because it was so far up it had some cavitation and poor handling so I lowered it all the way down to where it would be without a jackplate. WOT did not change after lowering the jack plate but handling (turning the boat) and riding on plane is now much better.
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Re: 1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

Obviously the first checks are compression and spark. I have a '98 Johnny 150HPV6 on a 21' Seaswirl DC. A 19" pitch prop is marginal, however, with the extra power you have, it should be pretty close to optimal. Is it possible the boat is waterlogged?

If the compression and spark test come back normal, and the spark plugs look normal, and the prop is indeed 19 pitch, we may need to look to the boat (weight, deadrise, etc) for the cause. How is the holeshot?
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Re: 1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

Have you checked the WOT spark timing? Maybe it is not set to spec?
 

martyweir

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Aug 1, 2008
Messages
14
Re: 1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

Thanks for the responses!

Chris, Pretty sure it's not waterlogged. Installing some hardware this spring I had to drill the hull and it resulted in no water returned below the waterline. That is something to keep in mind. I would still think I should be able to spin the prop to a higher RPM than I'm getting even if the boat was sluggish...

Holeshot isn't great, it's a pretty big heavy boat, but it jumps on plane in say 10 seconds... Faster than my old bayliner. Has trim tabs to help it a bit though.

Outboard shop did that before I bought it and said it was within spec, spark seems ok from what I see but haven't done anything technical... I will definitely do the compression myself after I pull it out to go through it in a few weeks.

Will check the WOT Timing as well... good suggestion. Is this a recommended procedure:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=228183
 

martyweir

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Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
14
Re: 1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

OK, ran some tests today- spark & checked timing (more to follow tomorrow - need my tools & a buddy). Spark test was fine on all cyl. Jumped a 7/16 gap on spark tester no problem. Ran it for a while to warm up and then tested the timing @ Idle (1000 rpm) and I have 6*BTDC at that Rpm. Factory spec says 18* BTDC, is that @ WOT or idle?

Couldn't check timing @ WOT Without help becasue I would assume I'd want to put it under load, not just in neutral with the throttle cranked up. Again, I'm checking, not adjusting the timing here.

When I get to adjusting timing if needed:
I read the reccomended method of setting WOT timing, but I was a bit confused by the "adjusting" reference. Am I only concerned about the bump stop limiting the travel? I've timed cars before where you rotate the distributor to set the advance and it affects the overall timing all the way through the throttle travel, and I'm not sure if I should be worried about the idle timing or if that sets itself...

ALso while running my tests with motor running, I noticed some small amounts of smoke blowing back through the lower starboard side of the air intake -weird bc I have spark there... Compression test & more timing checks tomorrow.
 

martyweir

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
14
Re: 1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

Follow up: Nice! Found issue: Broken connecting rod, blew out side of crank case. SWEET! Looks fresh, going to rebuild / re-power.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Re: 1997 Ocean Pro 200 - LOW WOT!

Well, A thrown rod will cause a loss of RPM.
 
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