225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

[phatmanmike]

i am looking at a 1984 sportcraft 20' cenetr console with a 225 johnson sea drive outboard on a full transom. i never knew 225 was made as a sea drive. the motor looks about as old as the boat, although i didnt ckeck for a plate or serials, it looks like a mid 80's motor. it says 225 vro v6 on the hood.<br /><br />am i correct in thinking that this thing had hyrdualic steering? <br /><br />other than the weird way it attaches to the transom, arent these the same as any other 225 for that matter?<br /><br />the tilt, trim, and steering all worked excellent.<br /><br />what is there to look out for with a sea drive when i go to purchase the boat?

 

[Solittle]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

I have a pair of 1987 1.6L SeaDrives that I have had for the past 12 years. Never hads a problem with the SeaDrives. For the most part the powerheads are the same as the conventional ones.<br /><br />Many/most (but not all) had hydraulic steering - mine does.<br /><br />If you get it best get the OMC shop manual specific for your motor as the SeaDrive assemblies are complex.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

yes, i got it tonight. its in my driveway! shes a beaut.<br /><br />im not too sure buot the motor though. <br /><br />its definatley a omc v6, ive counted the cylinders. the hood is white and says "johnson v6 225 vro" the top and lower cowl are white, but the rest of the motor is the johnson blueish/grey, including the entire sea drive unit.<br /><br />the model number plate reads" omc stern drive" and it is model # j332456 and serial 983576<br />anybody know what that would make it. is it really even a 225 for that matter, and what year does that make it?<br /><br />i know that the ignition consits of 6 seperate coil packs and the flyuwheel is rather small around and the starter has a reduction gear. the exhaust plate says" v6" . the exhaust cover looks like this one here...<br /><br /> http://www.powerheadkit.com/Looper 6 cyl.htm <br /><br />the starter looks identical to this one here, even says arco on it...<br /><br /> http://www.powerheadkit.com/images/DSCN09361_small.JPG

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

How many power packs?<br /><br />Look at the tab on the head gasket at the top. Is it straight across or is there a "U" shaped cut in it?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

as best i can see there is one powerpack, six plastic carbs, and the head gasket has a "u" shaped cut in the tab at the top....<br /><br />whats this mean

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

The block is a small bore V6 looper. Made in 1986 and 87. Thats a 2.7 Sea Drive. <br /><br />Is the single pack right in the center of the block behind the flywheel?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

Is the single pack right in the center of the block behind the flywheel?

exactly!!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

Thats an ignition from a 1988 or newer. The problem youre going to have is in repalcement parts for the dressing. The powerhead components are all from 86-87, no big deal.<br /><br />Now the question becomes is it a real 86-87 and someone upgraded the ignition? Are the carbs from 86-87 or from 88 & newer? Or was it originally newer and someone put an older powerhead on? <br /><br />t shouldnt be a major problem as long as you keep in mind that its a mixed bag, so to speak.<br /><br />How many screws are on the carb side plates?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

Lets hope that when they used the new ignition they used the newer flywheel.<br /><br />Does Quick Start work?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

what is quick start?<br /><br />i know the motor is a MIXED BAG, cause the hood and lower cowl are white, the rest of the motor is grey, including the sea drive. but the powerhead is black and the base that it mounts to is white.<br /><br />i just replaced the plugs( it had merc gapless plugs in it! ) and new fuel and lines and drained/cleaned the carb bowls of all goo. im still having a problem with the top right( from the back side view) plug is clean and new looking, all else look good. <br /><br />when motor starts, it shakes for about 5 seconds then it slows down and smooths out every time, automatically. is this slow start?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

OK, when the motor starts it should rev up slightly all by itself and then idle down as it warm up. Thats the Quick Start feature.<br /><br />As for the clean looking plug, remember the intake (front half) is an "X" design. IE -- the carb on the top starboard runs the cylinder on the top port and so on. Youll notice the highest carb is the top port and the highest cylinder is top starboard. <br /><br />Anyway, if the bowls had "goo" in them youll want to remove the carb assemblies (carb bodies and throttle bodies) and give them a good bath. We dont need a piston going thirsty. They dont like that too much.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 225hp OMC PROBLEMS. SNEEZING. BACKFIRE

ok. well get this...<br /><br />the top starboard cylinder plug is very clean looking. very little oil or gas on it at all. almost new looking.<br /><br />when i had the airbox cover removed, i had the engine running and i noticed that the top left(looking at the front of the motor) carb was backfiring, i could actually see fire coming out of the motor but not past the carbs butterfly.i guess this would be the carb that feeds the top port cylinder, if im correct in your explination of the " X " design and the way the carbs feed their respectfull cylinders.<br /><br />also, the motor will run at home and idle on the muffs for extended periods, as long as i want it to. but in the water it dies as soon as it "warms up" after the QUICK START feature idles down, the motor dies. the motor sneezes and sputters a lot, especially in the water.<br /><br />i was under the thinking it may be the REED VALVES, cause i heard that reed valves and / or a lean condition will make a outboard " SNEEZE". and also i saw the backfire into the carb. <br /><br />as for goo in the carbs, actually when i removed the AIRBOX COVER, it was full of black looking oil, very dark and thick.<br /><br />i ran some seafoam through the motor in a seperate gas tank and also into the carb throats, this did help it quite a bit .<br />should i start looking for a good deal on REEDS?