1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

[eatingroaches]

just bought boat and it has been sitting and gas is kinda old I took it to lake yesterday and when I put it in water and started it an alarm wen't off and boat would not get to full power then died and would not stay running when I put in gear it just kept dieing(

 

[drin1932]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running please help new owner

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running please help new owner

doesn't sound good. if there was an alarm that would indicate that the engine was overheating. If you continued to run the engine until it died then you may have caused engine damage. If it were me I would check compression first in case that alarm and die out were not related......probably were though.

 

[eatingroaches]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

you don't think the old gas with possibility on moisture could have something to do with it?

 

[mikesea]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

1)how long after starting ,did the alarm sound,2)do you have portable fuel tank,or is it built into the hull of the boat,3)did you continue trying to run the engine while the alarm was sounding

 

[eatingroaches]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

it started within 2-3 minutes its a portable gas tank I ran for like 5 seconds and it lost power and it would crank but die when i put in gear

 

[eatingroaches]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

1)how long after starting ,did the alarm sound,2)do you have portable fuel tank,or is it built into the hull of the boat,3)did you continue trying to run the engine while the alarm was sounding

it was running for 2-3 min, then alarm sounded then it lost power died and would not stay running when put in gear it is a portable tank

 

[Backlash]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

It seems unlikely that the overheat alarm would sound after only 2-3 minutes of running. But a low/insufficient oil alarm would be likely. I believe that engine has a VRO pump. What did the alarm sound like? Steady sound, intermittent beeps, etc.

 

[drin1932]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

A '78 would not be VRO, i was thinking the only alarm would be overheat...right?

 

[Backlash]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

Yeah...duh! I'm thinking '88 not '78. Sorry to muddy the waters.
Backlash

 

[eatingroaches]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

steady alarm for like 2-3 min. how do you check oil level?

 

[eatingroaches]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

can anyone else help

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

Did you mix TC-W3 oil in the gasoline at 50:1 as required?

 

[noelm]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

The only oil level to check is the gear case oil, and I kind of doubt that is your problem, you need to start with the very basics, fill the remote tank with fresh fuel and the correct amount of oil, put the boat in the water and start it up, when the alarm sounds, switch it off and remove the cowling, test to see if the motor is HOT! and we can go from there, no use trying everything in the book just yet, start at the very beginning.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

The only alarm on that engine is for overheats. There are two sensors, one in each head-which will set off a hot horn once the head reaches 212 degrees. Once and engine gets hot, the pistons can expand in the sleeves and the increased friction can gradually slow/stop the engine. How is the telltale on the engine? Is it functioning properly? verify the functioning of the water pump. You can still get an overheat at idle with a strong telltale if the thermostats are stuck closed. You may need to get into the thermostat housing....

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

Do all that, then rebuild the carbs with new kits.
I'd go through it all from top to bottom end, sounds like it needs some maintainance catching up.
Get rid of the old fuel, new lines with a water seperator, do the whole lot.

 

[eatingroaches]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 won't stay running new owner

ok put fresh gas and oil 50:1 put on earmuffs started it sputered a bit then stayed running ran about 5 mins did fast idle put in gear and reverse stayed running good stream no alarm. could that have been all was old gas?