Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

[Marinewithaboat]

So, I bought a used boat for next to nothing. Didnt have to much money to spend on it and just wanted a way to get on the water. Motor runs great and medium low, medium and high speeds. Its very difficult to start and always requires the primer to be held in for about 10 seconds. It always fires but wont always start. Eventually though it always starts. It likes to die and idol speeds alot. For the most part I'd say the motor was in fair shape with obvious crosion starting to show on bolts. I've bought the carb rebuilt kit but i'm just to afraid to take this thing apart. Not so much of a mechanic. I've noticed that if someone is priming the bulb as I'm trying to start the engine that it starts easier. Today I took the cowl off and noticed that inbetween the spot that the fuel line hooks into the motor and the fuel pump is a small yellowish white capsule(maybe a filter of somesort) and if the bulb is pushed a few to many times fuel will leak around that capsule. I guess the real question is, shoudl I be worried that fuel lines are clogged and thats whats causing rough idles and a hard start or do i simply need to just clean the carbs and replace the gaskets and needle. If I need to clean it does anyone have any tips for a newbie mechanic on taking apart a carb and any advice on what not to do! I appreciate the help and any comments on what I coudl do to ease my starting problems woudl be greatly appreciated. I know most people would say just take it to a mechanic but i just really cant afford the high labor fees. Thanks again for any help!! By the way I have used a fuel additive carb cleaner and the previous owner had the wrong spark plugs in the motor. Thanks!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Either get the OEM manual for your engine or hit the reference section at your local library and read away. Carbs on a 2 cycle are relatively easy to rebuild - just follow the directions in the manual.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

fuel should not be leaking from where your talking about.sounds like somebody put a inline filter on it .are there no hose clamps on it ?if not put them on ,you should not be getting leakage anywheres.you could have a fire!

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Okay so remove and clean the carbs and replace and properly clamp down the fuel filter that was added in.

Second question. Does anyone know the proper spark plug gap for this motor. And is there any good way to clean corrosion on the outside of the engine block.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Why not do first things first. If you have leaking fuel lines, you cannot properly prime the engine and are at risk for a fire. The starting procedure for that engine is as follows:

1) Squeeze primer bulb until firm.
2) Turn key to RUN (not START)
3) Push key in and hold for count of 8
4) Raise fast idle lever.
5) Turn key to Start.

When the engine fires, lower the fast idle lever to a comfortable idle. If the engine begins to stall, quickly push in on the key to provide an extra shot of fuel.

Check the plugs and replace them if necessry. Run some SeaFoam in the fuel to clean things up a bit. You may not need to rebuild carbs. Since the motor is new to you, replace the water pump impeller.

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Just out of curiousity, like I said I'm new to this, so if the motor is peeing and water is cool coming out why would I need to replace the water impeller?

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

If water is comming out cool it may not be cooling, depending on water temp that water will be warm, also yes tighten the clamps , if fuel is leaking you may also have air getting in causing a rough idle and not getting the top end you should. Your idle may be too low also see if raiseing idle stops the cutout, then rebuild carbs! Oh i don't mean set the idle so high that it idles or untill it idles just within reason, you don't want a 1500 rpm idle just so it doesnt cut out! That will cause excess wear on gears and clutch dogs when engaging them!

The impellor should be changed every couple of years and more if operating in extreamy sediment loaded water like coastal areas! its rubber and a wear part. Once it fails its too late, just and insurance policy, they only cost around $15 and are not really that hard to do once you have a manual and you read it and understand what your doing!

 

[Dennisanoka]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Because as the Admiral said if the engine is new to you, you should do it. It'll cost about $30 and it's real cheap insurance. The first time I was told to do it I resisted as well until I took it apart and discovered it was in horrible condition and a ticking time bomb, just waiting to cause a rebuild. You won't notice that it stopped peeing when you're scooting across the lake @ wot.

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

you may also want to check the compression, the hard starting may be due to low compression, or just from dirty carbs like you suspect. You can decarb with seafoam (see sticky or do a search) and if rings are sticky you can gain a little by freeing them up!

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Thanks for all the help guys. So where would I find a manual and parts for such an older motor? If its not so hard to do then I'll probably do it. I currently own a new seal kit for the carbs and fuel pump should I do that as well. Also how do you check the compression?

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Also I have access to a website called Seloconline.com is this as good as a book?

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

So i think I figured out my problem. I started taking apart the carbs but I noticed that everything was really clean. I then went to the spot on the fuel line coming into an inline fuel filter and i noticed fuel leaking from. With further inspection I found the line to be cracked or dry rotted I'm gonna try and replace this. Can you get this kidn of hosing anywhere or is it a special t ype of hose

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

To check compression, get yourself a screw in tester, about 20 bucks at an auto parts store, remove all spark plugs, grounded to block, screw in tester one cylinder at a time, crank motor about 4 to 5 times until tester reaches its peak, record reading. Continue with remaining cylinders. Try to get an original factory manual, try ebay, outboardmarines, or a variety of others. i think i would invest in a can of seafoam, in a portable tank, mix 3/4 gallons of premix gas, an 3/4 can of seafoam, (assuming you don't have the vro connected). Put the remaining seafoam in a spray bottle, run the motor up to temperture, remove the plugs, one at a time, spray some seafoam into each cylinder and replace plug. let sit 15 minutes, remove the air silencer from the carb while waiting, restart motor, and spray seafoam into each carb, until it start to stall. repeat till seafoam is gone. run out the rest of the gas. it is going to smoke like it is on fire, and drip goo on the ground. replace the plugs with new ones, and then do the compression check again. this procedure burns the carbon out of the motor and been known to free up rings, and increase compression. let me know the results.

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Okay so I ran the compression test before using the seafoam and got the following

1-105
2-108
3-108
4-115

After running the seafoam through like hightrim said I got this

1-100
2-100
3-100
4-103

Is that good or bad for this motor?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Your numbers are good. Since every tester gives slightly different results, the main thing is that your numbers are even across all cylinders, within 10 percent of each other, which you are.

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Okay so the new question of the day, haha, is why would the negative lead to the battery get so hot during operation that you can barely touch it even with a rag? Also is there anyway to know the model and year of a motor if all you have is a serial number.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Johnson 88 hp SPL Starting\Idol Issues

Because you have no idea how long it's been since it was last replaced (if ever). Impellers can disintigrate and clog water passages causing an overheat with resulting destruction of the engine. For about $25 bucks wouldn't you say that's good insurance? Battery cables get hot because one or more of the cable ends is loose, corroded, or not securely tightened at either the engine end or the battery. The starter may be dragging which can also cause high current flow but if the engine seems to spin over normally I doubt that's the cause. Yes - the model/serial number provides the ID for your engine.