johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

[cataster]

1990 Johnson 115 runs great until a load is put on the engine and then it will die. Took the cover off, noticed thin layer of oil around the VRO area, checked for leaks but found nothing, the oil around the vro is not excessive like a leak. Next, I put the engine flusher on, started the motor, set to idle for about 3 minutes, no leaks, but the motor just did not sound right, the engine had developed a strange put-put sound around the air intakes on the side of the VRO. Then I noticed white smoke puffing out of a small hole approx 3-5" below and 3-5" toward the back of the engine, almost directly under the VRO, located around the attachment of the carbs to the engine block. The hole has threads, so I am wondering what the heck goes in the hole and why is white smoking coming out the hole. I also think this is producing the thin layer of oil around the area of the VRO. Cannot afford $79.00 per hour, can someone help a novice boat owner/wannabe mechanic. Please

 

[ezeke]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

Why don't you look at the parts manual for your motor and see what the fitting for that hole is called:

http://epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E

In the meantime, you are running on three cylinders and you should stop that! 8)

 

[cataster]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

Thank you for your help. The BRP parts web site is awesome. I have a Clymer shop manual, but that web site is easy to use. I am having trouble finding the part that goes in the hole, but I can describe the location a little more clearly, the hole is directly above the pulse limiter. As far as running on three cylinders, I had a power pack replaced with a used one about one year ago, because the mechanic told me I was running on 3 cylinders. Did not see a big perfomance change and it cost me $300.00. I will keep looking, but if you have any ideas, they would be much appreciated.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

in diagnosing the engine, check your spark on a 4 cylinders, with a sparktester from the autoparts store, if all pass spark, then do a compression check. the smoke, and oil, could be coming from a leaking gasket. compression should be higher than 100psi, and within 10% of each other. post back your findings.

 

[ezeke]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

Some of the intake manifolds were set up with both VRO pulse limiter holes and conventional fuel pump holes. I can email you a photo to see what I mean if you want.

At any rate if the opening is the conventional fuel pump opening, you need to seal it. That should fix the other problem as well

 

[cataster]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

Thank you tashasdaddy and ezeke. I am going to check spark and compression as soon as I get an extra pair of hands. The conventional fuel pump opening makes sense, I bet that is it. I will post results. Also a picture would be great ezeke. catabolice@yahoo.com

 

[cataster]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

ezeke, you are a freakin' genius. I plugged the hole and that is the best I have ever heard that ole' engine run, I am exited. I unplugged the hole with the engine running and it sputtered and died. That hole was the put-put sound and also the source of oil on the engine. Any suggestions on permantely plugging the hole or will a rubber washer and screw do the job. Again, thanks for the advice you saved me alot of money and time. Go have a beer on me.

 

[ezeke]

Re: johnson 115, 1990 boggs down under load

The intake manifold #397075 was used on both commercial and recreational
motors.

There were plugs for each opening: parts #307272 for the 90 and 115 and part # 321164 for the 88.

You are using the VRO, so you just need to plug the std opening which is the higher of the two.

With it open, you are bypassing your leaf plate and running very lean. You could seriously damage your engine.

Use Loctite red on this plug.