I have a lethargic Johnson 150

[R.Johnson]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

I had a V-6 acting very much as you discribe. I found the problem by doing a running test using a peak reading volt meter, when the engine tried to come up on plane a ign. sensor would go out, as the RPM rose it would kick back in.I know that not everyone is going to have a peak reading meter lying around, but the people who rebuilt the motor should have. I agree with Dhadley, get the engine running properly, then deal with proping, and set-up.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

I am meeting with the mechanic today. He said he would take a look at it and go over it good. Let me ask you guys a couple of questions. Under the flywheel on the throttle linkage side there is what appears to something plastic or maybe metal that rotates with the throttle until it hits a stopper, what is this and does it affect timing? also, there is linkage that links the carbs together..each carb has a small moon shaped piece that attaches them together, when you use the throttle the rods pull and the (moons) rotate. are they just opening something like a butterfly or are they indicative of your throttle opening, cause under full throttle with the hot foot I can still rotate them about 1 inch which is quite a bit to me. is this normal?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

The rotating part under the flywheel is the ignition stator assembly, the rubber tipped stop is the ignition full advance timing screw. With your hot-foot throttle fully depressed the carb butterflys should be fully open. If you look at the shaft that hold the butterflys you will see a small roll pin through the shaft. This should be straight up, and down at wide open throttle.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

OK, i know what a stator is now. The butterflys are not opening fully then, cause the pin is not straight up and down when using the hot foot, I have to manually open them all the way. Does this have much effect on engine performance? thanks for the info, this site is a life saver!<br /><br />chad

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

If the throttle plates are not fully open, this most certainly will affect performance. When you have the trottle completely depressed, does the stator plate touch the rubber stop? For maximum performance the stator has to be against it's stop, and all throttle plates wide open.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

yes the stator hits the stop. i will get the linkage adjusted so that I am getting full throttle. that may cure my sluggishness and low rpm. I am still confused on what causes it to die without warning. No missing, no alarms, it just dies. wait a minute or so and it will start back up then run a couple of miles and it dies again.Got any clue?<br /><br />chad

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

Does it slowly wind down and stop, or just stop suddenly? Do you have to prime the bulb to get it to start when it does this? Try running it on a 6 gal. tank and see what it does. If you have a timing light, hook it to any cylinder, it does'nt matter which one. Have someone watch the light for any sudden loss of ignition. Hopefully we can get this problem narrowed down to fuel, or ignition. It sounds like you have cleared up one problem finding those throttle plates not opening.One other thing, when you run this engine with a timing light hooked up, make sure all wires are clear of that flywheel. Don't work around that thing with the engine running.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

i guess it slowly winds down, i was running 45 mph and it was like i just turned it off. second time i was running at about 3500 rpm and it just shut down the same way. It does not do this at idle. I dont have to pump the bulb to restart though, also i am having problems keeping my starter battery charged. I replaced the battery and it went dead after 2 outings. It seems to be a little flooded out after this happens.<br /><br />thanks,<br />chad

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

I'll check something out in the service manual, and get back to you

 

[walleyehed]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

The stator, I believe, is stationary....the timer base is what you see moving.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

Kenny is right it's the timer base, sorry about that. Your charging system is a 35 amp. regulated system. To check the stator windings you will find a yellow, yellow-gray wire going to a junction panel. Disconnect these two wires and check with an ohm meter, they should read .17 ohms, plus, or minus .05 ohms. Then check each wire to ground, you should get no reading. With the engine running, and a volt meter across the battery, the voltage should rise to 14- 14 1/2 volts. If the stator checks OK, but voltage does not rise you have a bad regulator, but generally a bad regulator affects the tach.

 

[svfetter]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

I had the Evinrude version of your engine for 18 years with very little trouble. (2) things you need to check out on this engine that many times get overlooked. Be sure to replace all the check valves in the fuel recirculation system. These can cause all types of idle problems with excess fuel note being routed to the proper location. Second, make sure the pulse line from the crankcase to the VRO is clear and has a good or new pulse limiter. I would also make sure it has a good VRO. Good Luck.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

Guys thanks alot for the info. I will check the stator readings and adjust the linkage. Is it possible for a stator to read ok but go bad when engine is warmer or under load?

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

thanks for the insight. my vro has been disconnected though. I will see what I can get done this evening, will post tommorrow on results. thanks again for the info guys.<br /><br />chad

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

Hey guys, adjusted throttle linkage so I am now getting WOT. mechanic checked stator and found it is bad so he is replacing. he is also checking timing for me. I will be taking it out on saturday so hope things go well. Thanks for all the info, I dont feel lost when looking at my motor now. I will post again after taking it out. <br /><br />thanks to all, <br />chad

 

[Duck Loads]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

Good luck Chad,<br /><br />I have an '89 gt150 on a Ranger and it's a great motor. Once you get to know your way around it, it's kind of simple compared to a "modern" outboard. Mine had sat-up for at least three years when I bought it, but with a bunch of help from this board and a couple of weeks' time I was able to get it going great. It drinks a little gas, but it will get you there and back. I hope you enjoy it.<br /><br />Be safe,<br />Duck L.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

thanks duck, this site is great. I found it by luck and have learned more in 3 days than in the last 6 months...I think I am finally getting things straightened out with this motor, and hopefully since it has been rebuilt it will give me some good service. I am ready to go fishing!<br /><br />chad

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

After I get this thing running right I would like to do some things to hop it up. Does anyone know of a website that sells performance parts for my motor? It is a 1985 VRO johnson150 gt.<br /><br />Thanks, <br />chad

 

[Duck Loads]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

That's the spirit. More power. Before I bought mine, the owner was excited because his boat would do 55 mph. After I got the motor tuned and added a jackplate, I have been 63(gps) running downstream. It will do over 60 running upstream. The jackplate alone added 5 mph. If you don't have one, that would be my advise.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[cmacky]

Re: I have a lethargic Johnson 150

It has got a jackplate. I know everything on it is stock except for the prop, it is a 24 pitch stainless raker. Do you have any ideas for something i could do that would not break the bank...I have already spent quite a bit of money rebuilding and such. Thanks for the info duck..<br /><br />later, <br />chad