86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

[Playin Thru]

I need some help with my motor!! After about a 20 min cruise we hit the no-wake zone and idled down. The motor started to make an odd rattling sound at idle speed. We then powered back up and struggled to get on plane...the power was just not there. The engine bogged down and eventually quit. We got it started back up and it reved fine in neutral but would not respond when put in gear. It eventually would not even start. We limped back in with the kicker. It now fires right up in the driveway. What might be the issue? Thanks in advance for any help.

Ryan

 

[shooter441]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

I'm no expert by any means. Hell..I don't even play one on TV. But you're having the same symptoms I had and it was the fuel pump. I replaced it and no problems since!

 

[Walker]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

Compression, spark, and fuel. Start with a compression test.

 

[Dennisanoka]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

Just 2 cents. My 1988 90 will make a strange sound when one tank is running dry. So I wouldn't discount the fuel pump suggestion or some other fuel restriction too quickly. I'd probably describe it as a stange rattling sound too.

 

[Dennisanoka]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

If it is a fuel restriction just start at the tank and work your way to the carbs and don't forget about the in line fuel filter.

 

[Playin Thru]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

Compression check showed "0" in one of 4 cylinders. What are my best case and worst case scenarios here? What would a ballpark range of repair costs be? Thanks for your help/insight.

PT

 

[Dennisanoka]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

Please re-check all 4 again. What is the reading on each one?

 

[Walker]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

If you do it yourself figure around $250 a hole. Pull the heads and see what things look like

 

[Playin Thru]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

Compression readings were as follows..118, 120, 118, 0. These reading were taken in the driveway with muffs on and a cold motor.

 

[Dennisanoka]

Re: 86 Johnson VRO 120 Outboard Issues

Looks to me like you lost that cylinder. Do you plan to do the work yourself? As Walker said it's about $250 a hole, but it depends upon what else you may chose to do or have done when you have it appart. Last year in my 90 I replaced 2 cylinders, had them bored out, re-planed the heads, replaced the rings in the other two holes and all the other bearings in the engine, rebuilt the carbs, replaced the water pump and various other items. When I was done the cost was closer to $1000. But I wanted an engine that was as close to new as I could make it. If that was all done by a shop the cost would be $2000-$2500.

Pull the head off that side, it will that 5 minutes and see what happened in there.