1990 25 Hp Johnson

Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
I have a 1990 Johnson 25 hp Outboard with electric start. I got this after it had been sitting for 6 years. It was used in Florida and it's been in salt water. Anyways I took the carb off and rebuilt it. I replaced all the gas lines as they were bad. I reinstalled the carb and started the motor it runs rough and when I engage the motor into gear it just sputters. I do not have a manual for this carb. I need to know where the high and low speed screws are and what the settings are for these. Any help would be much appreciated. The boat is an old 1990 South Seas 16. Lap Strake Boat. Can you also give me an idea how much this boat is worth. It is in excellent shape.
 

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

I believe that motor has a fixed high speed jet which just has to be spotlessly clean, no adjusting it. Have you checked to see if the ignition will jump at least a 1/4 inch gap with an nice blue spark on both plug wires? You may find you're only running on one cylinder. I'd check that before I rebuilt the carb. again.
I have no idea about your boat. It varies so much with condition, your area, desirability of your rig, etc.
There's a nifty thread in the FAQ's section on starting "sleeping" outboards. You should check it out. Just go back to the main forum menu and scroll down a little.
Good luck,
JBJ
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

Have you checked to see if the ignition will jump at least a 1/4 inch gap with an nice blue spark on both plug wires?

How do you do this? I am not very good with motors.
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

A few more questions. I bought a carb rebuild kit and when replacing the parts I was unable to get the screw bolt where the float and needle sits loose so I left the old one in there could this be my problem that the float is not level. I did notice that when I lifted up the float I heard a sslight clicking sound. I hope I don't have to take the carb back off it was a pain with the starter. I also found out it is not a 1990 it is a 1989 Johnson J25 ECEB model. When I bought it I also found a spring laying around in the bottom of the engine cover. I have no idea what it is for. it is about 3/8" round and about 3/4 " long. Also do I need to take the High Speed screw cover off to adjust the high speed screw. Right now both the high and low speed screws are tighten all the way in. Is ther like a setting to start out with and then do a fine adjustment. What is the screw that is inside of a brass sleeve on the left side of the carb going at a downward angle for.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

did you follow this basic directions. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=244013

first the high speed should have been cleaned when the carb was off. it is fixed jet #22 in diagram, there is no adjustment, just tightened. the slow speed is fix also #1 in diagram. # 14 in diagram is the slow speed mixture screw and the only one adjustable.

the spring is probably a return spring for the throttle linkage. where i don't know off the top of my head.

slow speed mixture screw adjustment:

(Carburetor Adjustment - Single S/S Adjustable Needle Valve)
(J. Reeves)

Initial setting is: Slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Start engine and set the rpms to where it just stays running. In segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the S/S needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

Note: As a final double check setting of the slow speed valve(s), if the engine has more than one carburetor, do not attempt to gradually adjust all of the valves/carburetors at the same time. Do one at a time until you hit the above response (die out or spit back), then go on to the next valve/carburetor. It may be necessary to back out "all" of the slow speed adjustable needle valves 1/8 turn before doing this final adjustment due to the fact that one of the valves might be initially set ever so slightly lean.

When you have finished the above adjustment, you will have no reason to move them again unless the carburetor fouls/gums up from sitting, in which case you would be required to remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetor anyway.
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

I rebuilt the carb over the weekend. I did not become a member on here till last night at 8:00 pm I kinda did it all in the dark not really knowing what I was doing. I did clean the top jet and s/s jet can't remember if I did the bottom. When I got done the carb looked brand new, I will try to take the bottom screw out and look at the high speed screw. I took out the plug for the high speed screw and gas just poors out of it. I don't think I have a high speed screw in there. If gas is coming out of it would this confirm it. I am able to get it to idle good and then when i increase the throttle or put in gear it just bogs and dies out.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

there is a high speed jet in there, it is deep and requires the tool i described in the above link. it is very common for them to become clogged, since they are in the bottom of the bowl.
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

Well I took the carb back off. It only took 10 minutes now that I know what I am doing. LOL It does have the jet in there but I am unable to get it out so now I either have to make a tool or take it to a Marine dealer and see if they will take it out for me. I also have one other question My brothers told me not to run the motor in forward with just ear muffs on as the is no resistance on the prop at it will be free wheeling. Can this account for no rpms or can it do damage to it . I did post a pic of the south seas boat as my avatar. Check it out.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

nice boat, it is best not to run in gear, safety reasons. you never rev any motor over 1500 rpms, on muffs. you can put it in gear, then back to neutral, wait for the prop to stop, then you can go to reverse, but never go from f-r or r-f, the prop has to stop on muffs. it has nothing to do with your problem. home depot sells a narrow screw driver that will go in there. take the carb with you. then store the screw driver for next time.

i made my tool from a screw driver, using a belt sander, you can also use a grinder, or file.
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

I went to Lowe's at lunch today bought a screwdriver and had the guys in the shop sand it down. It fit in there perfectly and I was able to get the jet out. Should I take the carb back apart to clean this out or can I just spray carb cleaner in there. . Also there is like a cap on the top of the carb. Should I take this off and if so how do I get it off it looks pressed in . Does this requir cleaning also. Thanks for all the help.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

take the bowl off, because the center tube in the carb, picks up fuel for the jet. if you just spary carb cleaner in there you are just going to push carb up into the top of the carb. did you read this
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=244013 your carb is identical, except you have the adjustable slow speed instead of the fixed slow speed jet.
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

Tashasdaddy, I just wanted to say thanks for all the help I cleaned the carb and reinstalled tonight after work and the motor runs beautiful started right up idle's nice and the high speed rpm's are perfect. thanks for being patient with my lack of mechanical apptitude.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1990 25 Hp Johnson

the thank you makes it all worth while, happy boating. buy the lady in your live something nice for Valentines, with the money you saved, not taking it to the shop.
 
Top