stalling problem, Johnson 90

[ken s]

Hi experts.  My 17.5 with a Johnson 90 carb. motor is in the shop.  It is 12 yrs old, bought new and babied.
    it starts but stalls out and the oil light came on a couple of times at idle.   I squeeze the bulb and it keeps runing, but if I don't it stalls out.  new water pump last  year, and professionally winterized.
   Babied, like I said...   This all happens at dock idle.  I won't take it out  until I'm sure.
    My shop guy (who I trust)  said it needs a fuel/oil pump for $500.  He said if you have to keep pumping it to keep it running, it's not getting fuel.. and then the oil light thing  is part of it.

     Sounds right,,,  I had the carb cleaned and rebuilt a couple of years ago...the gas has lots of the blue enzime treatment in it, and always has.... I installed a large cartridge fuel filter on it.  (should I replace that every year?)   the motor has lots of power and runs well.
     Does it sound like this is the problem???   I do about 100 hours a year...
   Thanks...Ken

[fitz73222]

Hi Ken,
What is your current in gear idle speed? Has that changed from what it once was? Does the engine idle fine in neutral but stalls when shifted into gear? The engine runs normally off idle without any driveability issues while on plane?

[Georgie]

Morning Ken,

Can you clarify the engine model plz? Can I assume it's a 2001 based on your post?  

Based on what you've written it does sound like a fuel delivery problem, but those can be caused by numerous different failures (clogged tank vent, clogged tank pickup, faulty anti-siphon, loss of vacuum in your lines, bad/old/clogged filter, etc.).  I would first try running your engine directly off a spare can of fresh fuel.  If it fixes the problem, then your issue is actually in your tank, vent, lines, or filter.  If not, then you know you have an engine related problem such as the fuel pump you mentioned.

Get us the model number (usually on the top of the engine block or on the moter mounts somewhere) and try the spare fuel can.  Post back results.

[ken s]

It's in the shop, so I can't get numbers.  It's a Johnson, 2000 made, salt water carb motot, not fuel injected.
    It idles fine, throws water (new pump) but stalls after a couple of minutes and then the oil light came on.  If I pump it , it keeps running but will stall again in a minute or two.
   I did not replace the filter last year when it was winterized, (100 or less hours last year).  Oil resevoir is full of course...and I tried giving that a pump or two, which I never have to do, but no luck, it kept stalling.
     If I have to go for the $500 fuel/oil pump, I guess I'd better be safe than sorry.

    Where is the fuel pump located?    Ken

[jsunstar]

did the dealer figure it out?
im having the exact same problem, i followed georgies advice and cleaned carbs, new gas, ran off of a can and it still stalls when going into gear...
my mechanic is at a loss as well. hes figuring power pack since its not outputing enough juice. its a 500+ dollar
it idles hooked up to hose fine but stalls when in the water...

any input is appreciated.

[fitz73222]

did the dealer figure it out?
im having the exact same problem, i followed georgies advice and cleaned carbs, new gas, ran off of a can and it still stalls when going into gear...
my mechanic is at a loss as well. hes figuring power pack since its not outputing enough juice. its a 500+ dollar
it idles hooked up to hose fine but stalls when in the water...

any input is appreciated.

Don't let "mechanics" guess using your money. There is no return for electrical components, so if it doesn't work you still get to own it. He needs to test the component and decide good or bad. July is the month for 2000-2002 OMC's with idle/oiling issues. My buddy was at the 4th of July fireworks in his boat doing the same damn thing. That makes 3 that I know of!

[jsunstar]

yeah, hes a newer mechanic with this dealer. his "guess" is the power packs. he said you have to change the entire stator assembly with the power packs, he said its in a kit?? 413.00
im terrible at electronics. . he had a few of the other mechanics look at it to no avail. all stumped.
i just dont get it why it would run out of water and not in. if the stator output or powerpack output is low, i would think that it wouldnt run well either way...
i just dont want to "Bring Out Another Thousand" if i dont have to.

[Georgie]

JSun - can you try and get us your model number plz?  REALLY helps us make sure we have our head on straight before replying to your questions.  :compress:

[jsunstar]

ill look tomorrow when i pick it back up. the mechanic and his boss are at a loss so im going to get it.
he said the power pack is puting out 25-30 v and its supposed to be 50v.
they wanna replace at around 600$. if its not that, im out the 600.
frustrating when a professional wants to experiment with my money.
ill post tomorrow, thanks for the help.

[GoneFission]

See if any of these might work - you can pick it up locally and take it over:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40

[jsunstar]

its a J90SLEUC
gonna try a couple things, i called the PO and hes pretty good w these things.
gonna try spraying out idle port. apparently theres a hatch i can see the jets to check them.
also looking for the optical sensors to check and make sure they arent dirty or covered in muck, shouldnt be buy you never know. the breather hose (at least thats what it looks like) that goes into the air filter box was off for a while and maybe it slung some oil around...
trying to get some time to check these, gotta reference the manual as i have no idea where these things are...
thanks fellas for any additional input.

on and sorry for the thread hikack, looks to be in the right place though

[jsunstar]

im also thinking that the anti siphon valve may be stuck or faulty.
ive been reading through hundreds of threads on this issue.
could be just about anything.. gonna try a few more things...

(aaaaaaaaand... back to the garage...)

[wingtime]

I have the Evinrude version of that motor.  Great little motor.  Here is a link to some OIS tips: http://www.maxrules.com/fixomcoisignition.html

[Georgie]

JSun-

If you already tried running it off a spare can and it still stalled, then the anti-siphon valve is not the problem.  Be careful you don't run yourself in circles!   :compress:

I feel your pain.  Keep working through each part of your system one by one.  If you have a strong reason to believe it's electrical, then you NEED to obtain a factory (not aftermarket) service manual and test each ignition component and verify they still meet specifications.  That's the only way I am aware of to correctly troubleshoot ignition components once the common techniques like swapping coils/plugs etc. and measuring spark (which most people overlook).  That said, if you can get yourself good and shocked  :bom:  by removing each of the spark plug boots one by one while she's running, then your likelihood of an electrical issue is already pretty low and the problem is likely elsewhere.

Good luck

[jsunstar]

sad thing is that i bought this boat this spring and have only had the pleasure of running it in water 5 times before it started doing this.
needless to say, im not really happy with my purchase...

then to add insult to injury, the mechanic ive been using threw his hands up today and said that he doesnt want to work on it anymore cause hes "frustrated with my motor". he said to take it to his dealer and have a diferent mechanic work on it. (he was doing it as sidework.)
honestly, i think hes a shitty mechanic and a for leaving me hanging. he didnt even put the motor back together correctly. better boat mechanic than i am though...

anyhoo, he has checked the electrical parts, thats where he came up with the power pack outputting 30v not 50v as its supposed to...

does it sound like this could be a reasonable explaination??

i dont mind paying to fix it but i dont wanna toss money out the door on parts i dont need.

its a paradox.