1990 johnson 88spl

[hadaveha]

This weekend I had a chance to buy a 1990 88spl. their was no fuel or water where the motor was. we did ust the jump box to check compression, and the tilt and trim. compression was 110 to 120 on all 4 cylinders, and I did check the gear oil in the foot it was black with no sign of water what so ever.. so just how big of a risk did I take not hearing it actually run. I sure hope its ok.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

You'll find out when you get into it further. Check your spark with an open air gap spark tester set at 7/16". If that's okay try and get it running.

 

[hadaveha]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

I was told that it was running and it would idle great, just would go dead when you laid into the gas. Im hoping for a couple clogged jets, starving for fuel

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

Black gear oil is probably ok. Sounds like no water in it. Unfortunatly, it's a sign that it's really old and could be low, causing it to be severly overheated, causing the color change. A change to fresh gear oil will hopefully resolve that issue. Carb overhauls could be in your future... Good luck.

 

[toddschubert]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

I have the same motor. I think you can rest easy knowing you got a good reliable easy to work on motor. They are known to be workhorses and should treat you well with a little maintenance. Change the oil and water pump assembly put in new plugs and clean the carburetors and go from there.
It should provide you with years of service!
PS
be sure and maintain an exact 50ne ratio on oil

 

[hadaveha]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

I think I may have over stated the black oil. it was used oil not something someone had ran out and changed right before I got there. sorry about that. The motor looks to bell taken care of. and has a killer really nice stainless prop

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

As long as the gear oil is not milky, you should be in good shape!

 

[racerone]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

Nice shiny prop ? ------Just make sure that this prop is the correct prop for your boat.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

BTW -- on the black oil. I have a couple of quarts of Quicksilver l.u. oil, and it's essentially black out of the container. It's probably a dark blue or something, but looks black. That might be what you have. (I prefer the lighter stuff because I think it's easier to spot contamination -- and is more difficult to confuse with black exhaust residue if there is leak. But sometimes you buy what's available.) Anyway, the black l.u. oil you have might be Quicksilver or similar.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

Merc gear oil is a clear blue-green. Certainly not black.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1990 johnson 88spl

hmmm. I have a couple of quarts of Quicksilver gear oil that must be blue-green. But sure looks pretty black from the git-go. OK, dark blue-green.