Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

[mr_bobby_k]

ok..here we go, it seems i am not the only one who has had this problem. I have a 1996 Johnson 130. Problem started on a cold morning, i was idling in the boat slip, idled out of the "no wake" zone and was ready to get on top...motor wouldnt get past 3000 rpm...top speed was 6mph. I pulled the cover off and did the old "grab each plug wire" trick...they all shocked me. I took boat home. I changed all my coil packs and plugs and wires, i bought an in-line tester(as opposed to a timing light) and each cylinder has fire. In the driveway i can rev to 5500 rpm. So i thought problem solved, wrong, took boat back out and same thing..idles great then no fire in gear. I have checked all my compression and that is not the problem...i have all new plugs, wires, and packs. I am sure it could be the stator, or power pack...but i was hoping that someone might have had this problem also. i have read some threads that said a "shift interrupt" switch could kill a bank of cylinders on some bigger hp motors but i dont think i have one on mine..if i do i cannot locate it. Also i have read about the power pack having a S.L.O.W. mechanism in it which limits the motor to 2500 rpm in overheat, but this doesnt make sense if i can rev to 5500 in neutral...I run my boat all the time, carbs are immaculate condition, fuel filters changed monthly....not bad gas either....please help.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

You don't have a shift interrupt switch on a V4.

The reason to use an inductive timing light is that it allows you to "read" the fire of the running engine without removing or unplugging anything.

It sounds like you may have a fuel problem; have you checked the carburetors?

You should not run the motor higher than around 1500 RPM with no load on it.

The 130 can reach 5500 RPM with two cylinders out with no load.

S.L.O.W. is a powerpack function controlled by the temperature switches when the engine overheats. That can happen on either bank and very quickly if your cooling system is not up to par.

S.L.O.W. can also be triggered by having the tan wires from the temperature switches too close to the spark plug wires.

Be sure to check your thermostats.

 

[mr_bobby_k]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

i understand about the not reving engine to 5500rpm with no load and i agree...but at idle in the water i can get 5500rpm.....i havent used a timing light on it...and my tan wires are away from my plug wires. it is just puzzling. i work on my boat all the time. i would eat dinner off of my motor, i just don't think fuel is the problem...i have great compression on all cylinders...and the problem is just when it is in gear..

 

[bktheking]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

If you are sure you aren't overheating as a test disconnect the tan wires from the powerpack and run it. If that isn't it pull the flywheel and check for an issue with the wiring going to the timer / stator.

 

[mr_bobby_k]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

well i had just changed my water pump during the summer and my "tattle tale" is pumping water like crazy. it has never pumped better, so i am pretty confident that i am not overheating....wouldn't you agree?

 

[bktheking]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

No as the talltale has zero to do with overheat indication and just shows you it's pumping, water flows out the telltale first- not last, doesn't show a blockage or a bad stat, I'd be checking it with a laser thermometer or one of those OMC thermosticks or your hand as a minimum.

 

[mr_bobby_k]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

ok, thats all very good advice. So what is the best way to check a stat? Take an ohm reading maybe? Also what is a good way to check for a blockage in the water line, if you say it goes through the tattle tale first? I do have a laser temp gun so i can do that...but lets just say i have a bad stat, would that make the s.l.o.w. mechanism in my powerpack activate and be keeping me not fishing?

 

[surrender]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

A bad thermostat will not allow the motor to cool and when it reaches a certain temp it would go into SLOW mode. Maybe your problem. Change the t-stats.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 130 not firing on all cylinders

Engine off. I prefer to do these tests with the rectifier or the battery disconnected.

The stator should read 480 ohms +/- 50 read from the plug (brown & brown/yellow wires).

Check for a grounded condition by connecting the positive test lead to each plug wire while connecting the negative test lead to a good engine ground. Any movement on the test gauge indicates a grounded condition.

 

[Clarkjar]

Hi there. Was wondering if you ever found the issue you were having with your 130 hp?

 

[GA_Boater]

Hi there. Was wondering if you ever found the issue you were having with your 130 hp?

This thread is over 8 years old and Bobby made 4 posts in this thread and left. You're better off starting a thread of your own.

Closed.