Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

[Cato]

I have a 1988 Johnson 225 mounted on a 22 ft. Mckee Craft (1988). The boat sat for several months until about 3 weeks ago. I took the boat out and it ran fine for about an hour, then on the way back in I could only power the boat up to 3500 rpm. It runs smooth,but no power. If I hold the choke in the power returns. A mechanic has worked on the engine. So far he has changed the plugs,changed the fuel filter and fuel pump, cleaned the carbs,hooked up a fresh gas supply all with no help. He now wants to rebuild, but i don't think it needs it,but not really sure. This week he is going to change the check valve in the gas line. Any ideas??? Thanks,Cato

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Welcome!<br /><br />I would have to agree -- lets not rebuild quite yet. It seems you have a fuel delivery problem. I'm sure he, as any good tech would, took compression before he started throwing parts at it. If he didnt take compression, a new guy might be in order as this guy seems lost. <br /><br />Lets start with the basics and check compression. BTW -- what plugs did he install?

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

I'll check plugs today and let you know. He took compression and said maybe a little low but ok and even. What should compression be? Thanks, Cato

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

The OE manual says it should vary no more than 15 lbs. Your actual readings will vary from gauge to gauge. It also has a lot to do with which heads your motor has. And if they're a matching set. Dont worry too much about the number but rather that they're even.

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

ok. Thanks. The mechanic said they were even. I'll find out about the plugs shortly. Thanks, again,Cato

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Plugs are QL77JC4. Also there is a electrical connection-3 prong I believe-with 4 wires on one side-black,gray,white and purple and 3 on the other-black,gray and orange that is disconnected. I don't know what it does or if the mechanic left it unplugged. I think it comes off the fuel pump-not sure

 

[Bradster941]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Cato,<br /><br />Does it now consistantly run this way, or is it intermitent?<br /><br />Have you tried running, (testing), it on another fuel tank?<br />You wrote the mech. "hooked up a fresh gas supply all with no help." but was that a test fuel tank? If not;<br /><br />I'm wondering if maybe the fuel pick up tube may be partially blocked restricting fuel flow at WOT.<br /><br />Or a fuel line hose collapsing, a plugged vent hole which will run the fuel tank into a vacuum, or a small fuel line air leak.<br /><br />Those Tampa mud dobbers love to build a nest in the vent tube.<br /><br />When your running WOT, does the bulb get soft?<br />Try having someone pump it when this happens to see if the engine picks back up. If it does, you can loosen the gas cap and try running again. If it runs out normal, then it's a plugged vent hole for the fuel tank.<br /><br />Hope this helps..

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

It was another tank. Where are the vents. I'll check them. Do you know what the disconnected connection is I previously mentioned? I am hesitant to take thge boat out and run your other test until I know if I should reconnect.

 

[Bradster941]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Cato,<br /><br />If it was a seperate, test tank, then that Eliminates the fuel delivery system up to your engine. Sorry, but it was just a thought as you said when pushing in the key to choke, which actually squirts additional fuel into the outlet of the throat, your power returns.<br /><br />This in mind, the other test I mention don’t apply as the mech. used a separate test tank.<br /><br /> Even though the carbs. have been gone through, it only takes a little bit of grit to clog a port. You may have to tear them down again.<br /><br />One thing you can check at the moment is to pull the water fuel separator. Pour it out on the cement, (not asphalt or black top as the gas will eat it up) and look for water. Even though it’s new, you will see a few drops of water. If you see globs of water, then there is 1 if not your only problem. Before you put the canister back on, inspect the gasket and oil it. Also look at the body that the canister screws onto to make sure there is NO old gasket there. This happens sometimes when removing an old separator and the result is a double gasket situation that at high speed, causes an air leak which starves the engine for fuel.<br /><br />As for the wire, a picture would help and the location. If it is behind the carbs, then I’m thinking VRO pump. Do you premix your oil and fuel? If so the VRO was disconnected for that reason. <br />

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

It is behind the carbs. I think it is the vro, I still use the vro so I should reconnect it -right?Maybe he disconnected to see it it had a leak?

 

[Bradster941]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Ouch,<br /><br />How long has this wire been disconnected and how much have you ran the engine since it was at the shop and had the fuel pump replaced?<br /><br />If it is the VRO then you’ve been running with out lubrication! And I can think of no reason why anyone would disconnect it other than;<br />1) you said after all this work, the mechanic now wants to rebuild it<br />2) the mechanic changed the fuel pump.<br /><br />Sounds like he forgot to hook the VRO back up.<br /><br />I would suggest you not even start it at this point. Can you post a picture so we can be sure about this wire harness?<br /><br />Let me shoot Dhadley, the master, an email and draw him back into this post as now the plot thickens.<br />

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

there is a line (Like a fuel or oil line) which connect to a small white plastic tube which is about an inch long. The other side of the small plastic tube connects via a line to the underside of what I believe is the VRO. On the 1st connection the clamp is not tight-I can basically slide it right off. Possibly the problem????

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

how do I post the picture?

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

can I email it to you?

 

[Bradster941]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

You wrote:<br /><br />" Plugs are QL77JC4. Also there is a electrical connection-3 prong I believe-with 4 wires on one side-black,gray,white and purple and 3 on the other-black,gray and orange that is disconnected. I don't know what it does or if the mechanic left it unplugged. I think it comes off the fuel pump-not sure"<br /><br />You need to re read what I wrote about lubrication and answer the questions. Despite the original problem, your engine may now be trash from running without the VRO.<br /><br />I sent Dhadley an email, so lets wait to get his thoughts. In the mean time, answer the questions as this will help.<br /><br />By what you have written, 1st it sounds like the wire harness is disconnected, and now your talking about a oil line or vacuum line..<br />Sorry, but I can't follow you...

 

[Daniel Beckman]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Can you see the plastic thing you are talking about in this pic?<br /><br /> http://www.carlskoga.com/boat/IMGA0004.JPG

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

no. the white thing is a small inch long about as big around as a cigarette

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

there are 2 seperate things i am talking about. 1-the electrical connection that is disconnected and 2- the hose that goes into the bottom of the vro

 

[Cato]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

If the vro electical connection was inadvertantly left disconnected it would have only been for a short time

 

[Solittle]

Re: Trouble with 1988 Johson 225

Hopefully Dhadley will work one of his miracles. While you wait I suggest that you order the OMC shop manual for your specific motor. That will answer many questions now and save you big bucks down the road.