1982 Johnson, 65 hp

[ericick2003]

I recently purchased this motor from a buddy of mine to replace a very unreliable Mercury. This Johnson, 65 hp, 3 cylinder, 1982 engine starts easily and runs great. I have not tried it on my boat yet, but I've run it on the garden hose and ears for up to 10 minutes at a stretch at a fast idle. Here's the thing that makes me a little nervous... now, although the block seems to run warm and not too hot; water sort of "oozes" out of the two 1/2" thermostat ports at the engine cowling top rear, maybe a drip every 5 seconds... should'nt it come out with more force, like maybe a "sputter" instead of an "ooze"? I had a 115 hp Evinrude and "sputter" is what it used to do... Am I being too much of a nervous eater or what? Is there a way to flush these lines out without too much tear down?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1982 Johnson, 65 hp

To my knowledge, Johnson didn't make a 65hp in 1982 - might want to check the model number and get back to us so we can get a better idea of what we're talking about...<br />- Scott

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 1982 Johnson, 65 hp

What you describe may actually be a good sign. <br /><br />Expect to see a heavy spray out of those ports when the motor is fully-warmed up & working. But it's not uncommon for there to be little if anything coming out when idling right after a cold start. <br /><br />The thermostat shouldn't open until 145 degrees F. You should be able to hold your fingers on the cylinders for a couple seconds (145 is feels HOT) without burning them. That's ideal - a warm engine idles well, makes more power & wears less than a cold one.<br /><br />If someone pulls the thermostat out (to preclude overheating), then you'll see the spray right away on cold idle.

 

[ericick2003]

Re: 1982 Johnson, 65 hp

Actually, after disassembly and inspection... the thermostat was frozen shut, and the water pump was not fully connected (there is a copper feeder pipe with a teflon-plastic sleeve; the sleeve was pushed way up out of the pump body; the purpose of the sleeve is to make a "pinch seal" between the pump and copper tube). I RTV'd the sleeve in place, replaced the thermostat and the motor runs much cooler now, and there is a "sputtering" spray of cooling water out the two rear holes, as it should be.

 

[Steve135]

Re: 1982 Johnson, 65 hp

Chinewalker I am with you also on this Johnson made a 60hp in 1982 but not a 65hp??<br />steve