Do you think I damaged it?

[michaelj1978]

Installed an 03 Johnson 50 last night on my boat. Fired it up for the first time to make sure it would start and it started but wouldn't stop. I must not have checked the throttle cable adjustment and it was running at 5,000rpm for a little over one minute. The key wouldn't turn it off, so I unplugged the fuel line and starved it. Then I adjusted the cable, and it started back up an idled at 1,200rpm just fine and shut off like normal.<br /><br />Chances of damage? <br /><br />Tonight I'm going to take it to the local lake and follow the correct break in procedure.

 

[Joey One]

Re: Do you think I damaged it?

You didn't say wether the motor had a water supply during this incident. It will make a difference.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Do you think I damaged it?

That's what they call run off. It's not recomended to run and engine over 2000 rpm in neutral for that reason, but I'm not sure what causes it, maybe somebody will explain it. Not sure about the damage part of it, I'm assuming you had muffs hooked up to it, so at least you had water running through it. Running that high with no load is not too good, and can probably hurt something, but you may have gotten lucky. Engines tend to run a little leaner on the mufs than in the water since there is no backpressure on them, but not sure if it's lean enough to hurt anything at 5000 for a minute. Why do you need to break it in if it's a 2003, was it rebuilt or is it a left over that you just bought new?

 

[michaelj1978]

Re: Do you think I damaged it?

It had a water supply via the muffs. <br /><br />It's a brand new left over 2003.

 

[michaelj1978]

Re: Do you think I damaged it?

Ran it this weekend and everything was fine. This newer motor is as quiet as a 4 stroke. I had 2 different people on the ramp comment on how quiet it was. Same motor and all as the 95 I had on there, but this 03 barely makes a sound.