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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

107.0. "Johnson Outboard Lower End Problem" by BTO::MILAZZO () Wed Aug 10 1988 16:51

    I recently deveolped some problems with my outboard motor
    and I'm looking for some help. I own A 1977 Johnson V4
    85HP. Last Sunday, while starting to pull a skier
    the engine made a thud as I took off. It was almost like the
    the lower end hit something that was submerged. But after that initial
    thud it ran great at full speed. It made the thud several more time
    in the afternoon as I was taking off quickly. A friend told me it
    is cause by water in the lower end oil.
    
    Any ideas out there?
    
    Thanks
    Mark
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107.1Get it checked outNRADM::WILSONIn the last days of bachelorhoodWed Aug 10 1988 17:0315
    Mark,
    
    If the noise seemed to come from the powerhead, make sure you
    don't have a case low speed pre-ignition or detonation. It can
    be caused be low octane fuel, mis-adjusted timing or carburetor(s),
    carbon buildup, etc. In severe cases the motor will actually skip
    a beat and give a loud "thud" when the early combustion tries to
    force the piston back down while it is still on its way up to
    top dead center. I know my 40hp Evinrude will do this if I lean
    the mixture out on the carb too much.
          
    If this turns out to be your problem, be sure to get it fixed
    quickly or you'll soon be asking us where to go for a rebuild.
    
    Rick W.
107.2Mechanical or Electric shift?ATSE::URBANWed Aug 10 1988 18:362
    Is this an electric shift Johnson?  If so, I'll put in my 2 cents.
    
107.3BTO::MILAZZOWed Aug 10 1988 19:166
    The shift is mechanical with two cables going back to the 
    motor.
    
    
    Mark
107.4a better idea...MAMIE::HAMELThu Aug 11 1988 16:3210
    
    Hay Mark,
    
    		Try getting a "real" motor.
    
    		"Hi!" from down south...
    
    
    				- Dean -
    
107.5We don't like those waves!BTO::MILAZZOThu Aug 11 1988 17:391
    Now at least mine starts Dean......
107.6exMAMIE::HAMELFri Aug 12 1988 20:207
    
    
    I think THAT argument should be directed towards the guy that sold
    it to me...
    
    Hi Steve!
    
107.7Johnson Lower End ProblemTOOK::SWEETCapt Codfish...Looking for Mr. TunaMon Aug 15 1988 20:297
    I had a thud in my mercruiser when I put it in gear, turned out
    a nut had worn down causing play in the prop shaft when it was shifted.
    Basically the thud was the thing really going into gear, also the
    shift cable needed adjustment. By all means have this looked into,
    it sounds like a pay me now or PAY me later situation.
    
    Bruce
107.8Johnson 20 outboard lower end problemGOLF::WILSONTue Oct 29 1991 13:0718
    Moved by moderator...
    
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Note 926.0            Johnson 20 h.p. transmission problem            No replies
WFOV12::DOBOSZ_M "Cogito Ergo Spud -- I Think, Ther" 12 lines  29-OCT-1991 10:32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was out in a friend's boat this past Friday and we had a drivetrain problem. 
Here are the details:

The engine is a 1985 20-horsepower Johnson.  We had been cruising along at 
different throttle settings and the motor was running perfectly.  Later in 
the day, the transmission would suddenly disengage at about half-throttle. 
The engine was running fine, but we were unable to keep the transmission
engaged at anything over half-throttle. 

Has anybody experienced anything like this?  We're still scratching our 
heads over this one...
							Mike
107.9A spun propROBOAT::HEBERTCaptain BlighTue Oct 29 1991 14:1414
It sounds very much like a "spun prop" to me. The propellor blade casting
is not connected directly to the sleeve that is driven by the gearcase
shaft, but is actually connected through a rubber grommet and sleeve.
Frequently, the bond between the rubber and the aluminum breaks, with the
result being operation such as you described.

This construction actually prevents the shock of hitting a rock or hard
bottom with prop blades from being transmitted directly to the gearcase.
It also keeps some vibration from the spinning prop from being carried
through the engine, to the boat, to your feet/spine.

Replace the prop, and it should fix your problem.

Art
107.10The prop can be fixedGOLF::WILSONTue Oct 29 1991 14:5410
    Art is probably right, it sounds like the rubber sleeve between
    the inner and outer hubs of the prop has slipped.  If the motor
    reaches a point where it suddenly freewheels and the boat slows 
    down the prop is usually busted.  
    
    This can be repaired by a good prop shop though; you shouldn't
    have to replace the prop unless it's already beat up.  Do a
    "DIR/TITLE=PROP" for info on prop repair.
    
    Rick
107.11Clutch Dog????MR4DEC::DCADMUSTue Oct 29 1991 20:4117
    
    IT MAY BE A SPUN PROP OR A BAD FORWARD CLUTCH DOG	 If the engine
    "jumps" out of gear for an instant, the clutch dog and forwqrd gear are
    bad and will need to be replaced. If the prop slows down and the engine
    rev's up- it's the propellor.
    
    The clurch dog is very common on the OMC motors-  I mus have replaced
    the dog/gear a half a dozen times on th various motors I've had. It is
    a simple job if you are mechanically inclined, and parts should cost
    around $75-$100 fro a 20 Horse.
    
     If it's the prop- a $35 rebuld will fix that
    
    Dick
    
    
     Dick