johnson 60hp stalls when put in gear and low idle for a while

[mookieo2]

I recently purchased a small boat with a 60 HP johnson 3 cylinder. I am not sure of the year but I think its an early 70s model. The motor runs fine out of the water. When I put the boat in the water it started fine but when put in idle it stalled. It also stalled when put in gear. I cleaned the carburators w/ carb cleaner and now it will idle for a minute or two w/ no hesitation. Then engine runs very well when put in neutral and given throttle all the way up to about 6000 rpm. when put in fwd or rvs it now goes but when given more gas it bogs down and stalls.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: johnson 60hp stalls when put in gear and low idle for a while

Mookie.... List the engine model number and we'll pinpoint the year/hp for you. Check the compression and spark. If those two items are okay (comp=100+ psi and spark jumps 1/4"), I would suspect that the carbs are fouled. They will require removing, cleaning, and rebuilding. Spraying carb cleaner into them does nothing! Also, reving a engine in neutral is inviting it to throw a connecting rod thru the side of the block.

 

[mookieo2]

Re: johnson 60hp stalls when put in gear and low idle for a while

I got the boat running, the previous owner had the fuel lines all messed up and used plastic zip ties as hose clamps. I moved them around and heard an air leak so I replaced them. It helped a lot. Then I adjusted the low idle screws and the thing ran beutifully. I then ran it around the bay for around a half hour and got it up to about 32 mph at a little below 5000 rpm. It runs great now and idles smooth all the way through the canal.