'85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

spit

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
25
was out today for 20 minutes...about 5 minutes in wot and the motor started rattling and cut off...
spent most of the day idling back to the dock and stopping to let it cool down.
a lot of exhaust was coming up into the cowl. seems like it's my waterpump, but water is moving through it normally.
i've noticed when i've started the motor lately there's a kind of squelching sound right after it cranks. that sound got pretty bad today.
i took off the cowl as i idled back. everything under the cowl was coated with water beads. in the carb throat there was a bunch of whitish gunk mixed with some of the green oil that comes out when i lift my motor up.
i ran out of stabil last time i put in gas so there was a heavy dose of stabil for 4.5 gallons and then i toped the tank off another 4.5 gallons without stabil.
the way the motor started knocking and how hot the lower unit got make me think it's more than just gas problems.
anyway, it cut of 20 yards from the dock as this spring tide was going out and then a major thunderstorm hit so i was out there a while until some folks saw us through the rain and helped us back to the dock.
any ideas on what could be causing the knocking...the loud noise after i crank?
another thing...the solenoid bolts had fallen off so there are 2 bolts in the motor somewhere...didn't see them. any chance these could have fallen in the lower unit and caused damage?

thanks
spit
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: '85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

Sounds like a power head prob. Do a compression test on it and get back to us.
 

spit

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
25
Re: '85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

tested it cold b/c it won't crank.
55 on top
60 on bottom

i'm thinking the increasing squelching sound is a gasket or possibly rings?
 

spit

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
25
Re: '85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

i should add that the plugs are burnt and cupped.
under the plugs running down the block there is some black oil.
i've been having trouble with my priming bulb...sometimes it pumps up firm...sometimes it won't firm up.
 

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: '85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

Take the head off and look at it. I'm betting that you won't like what you see.
 

spit

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
25
Re: '85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

what do you suspect the problem is and how much might it cost if i do it myself?
 

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: '85 johnson 30hp seahorse stopped

It depends on how much damage is done. You can do the work yourself but I would get an OEM manual as my first purchase as it will lead you step by step. It will also show you a few tricks. It might be cheaper to get a different engine by the time you price parts and machine shop work. I'm not saying don't do it yourself I'm just saying price things first.
 
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