My Johnson Just Quits

Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
7
Hey Everyone, I own a Johnson 30Hp 1989 Model. First time out this year it ran great for about 4 or 5 miles, then it just shuts down. Can any one please give me some insight as to what it might be. It is a good motor i just need help.
 

wildmaninal

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Jul 14, 2007
Messages
1,897
Re: My Johnson Just Quits

It might be overheating. Does it spit and sputter or anything like that? Does the pee hole shoot a good stream? Or is the motor putting any water out at all?
 
Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
7
Re: My Johnson Just Quits

Hello Wild thanks for replying. It does not sputter and miss at all. Pee hole is putting out a good stream. just quits when it gets hot about 20 minutes after running.
 

wildmaninal

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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

Can you restart the motor after this happens? It might be something in your ingnition system breaking down. Just a thought.
 
Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

It will once it cools down for about 30 or 40 minutes. But it will do it again after about the same amount of time. Thought it might have to do with the electical breaking down after its hot but i can sometimes keep it going just above an idle.
 

wildmaninal

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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

We have some great guys on this website that do know there stuff, I am just a novice compared to some.

I wanna say that the coils will break down in heat. There is a procedure that Joe Reeves had posted on testing the coils it is located under the FAQ section of the forum. That may be something you can start with.
 

iwombat

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Jul 12, 2006
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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

A couple of things come to mind. You can test them both while running on the muffs.

1) Stuck thermostat. The tell-tale just indicates the pump is working. See if you've got water coming out of the exhaust relief holes, or the prop, or both.

2) Power pack getting hot and failing. You can test this with a hair dryer. Just heat up the pack and see if you can get the motor to quit.
 
Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
7
Re: My Johnson Just Quits

Thank you for your information. I feel like it could be the coils too. I need a manual for the motor. Got one for the Harley. I wont go there this is about boats and motors. I added you to my buddy list. I hope that is O.K. with you if not i will remove it. Nice to find someone willing to help.
 

wildmaninal

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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

That is alright with me. I was about to mention that you and Iwombat posted at the same time, I just noticed that you seen his post.

Iwombat is right. I still believe the coils do break down also in heat.

Take the wife's hair dryer out run the motor on muffs and see if this makes a difference. Just don't let the wife know you have her hair dryer :D.

Don't know what happened to that thread about the coil check by Joe Reeves in the FAQ section but I couldn't find it.
 

iwombat

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Jul 12, 2006
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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

It'd be rare for both coils to quit at the same time. Not impossible, but unlikely. My money is on the power-pack.
 

wildmaninal

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Jul 14, 2007
Messages
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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

It'd be rare for both coils to quit at the same time. Not impossible, but unlikely. My money is on the power-pack.

I hear ya. Keep up the good post ;).

Willow you can run that motor in a barrel also I didn't mention that earlier.
 

iwombat

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Re: My Johnson Just Quits

Forgot to mention - you can take a bag of ice with you when you do the hair dryer test. Get it to fail, then slap the ice on and wait a couple. If it works fine again repeat a couple of times for good measure. You can be pretty certain that's the part if you can cycle through failure/success quickly like that.
 
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