1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

formulajoe57

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Hi everyone and thanks for reading my post!

I have a 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90 degree V. Its on a Glastron 19? with a stiletto 13.25 x 19. It was purchased in August of 1999. We use it primarily at a ?no wake? lake and it puts around about 25 hours a year (about 1300 RPMS) and goes fast about 4 hours a year. Its never had any issues until about two years ago it began to miss and idle rough. I only used the Johnson synthetic 2 cycle oil in the VRO tank. Now its getting to the point that it wouldn?t idle for more than about a minute before stalling.

What ive done so far (today): new fuel line from tank to motor and new priming bulb, new inline fuel filter, new coil packs, tested the power pack and it was fine, rebuilt the carbs, new spark plugs and wires and it still misses at idle the exact same as before I did all this.

I just did a compression reading and found 3 cylinders are 95 and 1 is only 83. That new spark plug was already carboned up very shortly after running it. I removed the head and the low cylinder contained much more carbon than the good one. Im assuming this low cylinder with all the carbon is so carboned because it is running rich because it doesn?t have as much air during combustion. (see picture)

Question 1: So is the carbon point to the cause of the low compression or is it a result of low compression

Question 2: Is it likely that the rings need replaced or is there something else causing this low compression? What else could cause low compression?

Question 3: If I do need to replace the rings, the cylinders don?t appear to be scored or any marks, do I have to do anything but hone the cylinders and replace the rings using the same piston?

Question 4: How can I find the cause of this low compression cylinder so it doesn?t happen again?

Question 5: Are the other readings of 95 low or about right?

Question 6: Why would this motor fail so soon with so little hours on it?

Thankyou for any help!
Joe
 

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tx1961whaler

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

One problem is that you're using a high performance 2-stroke as a trolling motor. :D Seriously, they like to be run at a high RPM most of the time, and the motor is really carboned up. What I would do is put new head gaskets on, and do a thorough decarb procedure on the motor (link in the "Top Secret" post at the top of the forum). I'd also check to make sure the thermostats are functioning properly. I'd decarb sooner than later, because if the ring slots get too gunked up, they can stick and break off a ring.
 

tx1961whaler

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

Whoops. Double Post
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

replace the head gasket, be sure to torque. then get a couple of cans of BRP Engine Tune, using the scharader valve on the primer solenoid, decarb the motor. as said you are using a performance motor as a troller. it is building up carbon, and not running fast is not blowing it out. then do this every year.

you probably have a ring stuck with carbon. the decarb will clean it out.
 

formulajoe57

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

So you guys think that the excessive carbon is whats causing the low compression in the cylinder and once I decarbon it will increase? That would be great!
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

if it does not you have another problem, i would try the decarb first. that motor needs to be RUN!!!!!
 

CharlieB

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

I tell many of my customers to think of their outboard as a GIANT weed-wacker, with a prop instead of a string.

If they leave them sit too long without being used they get cranky and hard to start till they get enough fuel through them, or I clean the carb(s).

And they DO NOT want to idle a lot, they run best and last longest running about half throttle, they will work their little hearts out for you and stay happy.
 

formulajoe57

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

Ill get a new headgasket and a can of the engine tune and give it a shot!

We live on a lake where theres mainly no wake zones, but there is a speed circle that is fairly small. Most of the time this boat idles around just because the speed circle is only open from 6:30 to 8pm. We do take it a few times a year to lake erie and run, but usually I run it WOT for the day. So basically Ive been running it everywhere but where it should be (about half throttle)

Thanks again, Ill update on Tuesday or Wednesday!
Joe
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: 1998 Johnson 115 SPL 90degree low compression on 1 cylinder. Couple of Questions.

these motors are built to run fast. it really sounds like you have the wrong boat for the lake, sounds like you need a pontoon with a 50hp.
 
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