Easy / Hard

[Damifudo]

Ok its all relative to experinece and I dont have much when it comes to outboard engines but I am pretty good with basic motor repairs and I repair my own lawn mowers and small engines. What I am trying to say is I have some mechanical skills and not much experience.

I have posted before about a new to me 1996 Johnson Ocean runner. It has been sitting for a few years and had few hours on it. I read about the waking up a sleeping engine. I am going to follow those steps laid out. Now here is my question.

Carbs. You dont really know if they need a rebuild/ cleaning or not till you take them apart. There are six of those babies and I have zero experience and about the same amount of money. I looked at carb kits and they are about $ 16 each I need 6 of them. A dirty carb can take out a good running power head. So before I take it to the Mechanic do I clean and rebuild? Do I take it to the Mechanic and then get his advice on a rebuild? I have heard of others saying it will be about 500 dollars to get someone to do a carb rebuild? Can I tackle it myself? Yes I have looked at threads on here from other and it doesnt look too bad but I have not picked up the screw driver. My biggest concern and something I dont understand is adjusting the float the rest seams to be part for part exchange.

Oh and if you need to know the motor M# is J 150SLEDB.

Thanks for your advice. oh and since you read this far.... Water pump. Just the impellor kit or do you think I need housing and everything? I wanted to order it before I do the repair so I have not taken it apart yet.

Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[DJ]

Re: Easy / Hard

Get a manual, do it yourself. Don't let the fact that there are six of them throw you.

Just take your time. That is one thing you can pay yourself for.

 

[Damifudo]

Re: Easy / Hard

Ok I have read the manual here are some more questions. My 150 had six carbs. I assume I need to check and clean all six carbs so I need six kits. The book says to either remove them in banks of three or remove them one at a time do a rebuild and replace it one at a time. What would be easier?

My Mechanic says to just run the motor as it is before cleaning and rebuilding them to see how it runs. If the ports are partialy clogged or gummed up. I worried that I could burn up a piston running lean before I know it. Then its too late. Better safe than sorry I think. Check them first? The other thing he says you can run it and check the temp of the heads to see if you have carb trouble.

Any advise?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Easy / Hard

start with the compression and spark test with the testers, if all good then: be sure gas is new and premixed 50:1, until you are sure the oil pump is working, prime both fuel and oil lines.

i always start one before i go to the carbs, if they were drained before the set up, they could be fine. it is going to smoke when you first start it, that is normal. let it run a few minutes to get settled, then you can pull on plug wire at a time, and see if that cylinder is running. you will hear a change in the sound of the motor, if it is running as it should, if no change, note that cylinder.

if you put the motor in the water, and it wants to bog down when accelerating, 99% it is the carbs.

i am experienced, and i pull all of them at one time.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Easy / Hard

The mechanic obviously wants you as a return customer to rebuild your engine due to clogged/varnished carbs. An engine that has sat for six years with fuel in the carbs is now full of varnish. Rebuilding carbs is not rocket science but it does require keen attention to detail. DO NOT tear all six apart at the same time. When you do the first one remember that you now have five others to use as a reference during re-assembly. Float adjustment simply requires bending a tang to limit float drop, or the float arm to limit float level.

 

[DJ]

Re: Easy / Hard

In my world:

1. Remove easiest way-sets or individual-whichever is easiest.

2. Clean/rebuild one at a time.

3. Take digital pictures on removal. (Could be #1).

4. Reverse order.

Don't let the number freak you out. Go methodical and you'll be OK.