1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

[MackDaddy1]

Hi to all:

I just purchased a boat with a 1998 Johnson Faststrike 150. I was referred to the person I bought it from and had no reason to think he would steer me wrong. Have had the boat a few days and had several issues. Should have done more home work before buying.....live and learn.

None the less. I have a few questions.

There is loud injector tick. Sounds like a loud valve tick.....I was told this is normal. After some more reading I suspect it isn't.

Also, after running it a few times, it just stopped. It sucked the primer bulb flat. To me this seems like some type of fuel line restriction. But I made sure all the filters were clear and they were. I put more gas in it, although it was not near empty, and it ran. Any ideas? Are am I doomed to have problems with this engine? The dang thing has me scared it is going to strand me.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

I won't get into the issues these motors can have, just what you asked about.

The ticking may mean nothing, but not being able to hear it it's hard to tell.

The primer bulb going flat has nothing to do with the motor, there is some type of restriction between the bulb and the fuel tank vent. It can be the anti siphon valve sticking, a plugged pickup tube, blocked or closed tank vent, pinched fuel line, etc.

Take the motor to a dealer and have them upgrade the software, they can also tell you more about the history of the motor while it's hooked to the computer.

 

[MackDaddy1]

Re: 1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

Thanks for the reply. I guess I am having buyers remorse.

I did not mention that the check engine light remains on and the guy who I bought it from claims the codes say it is a no fault. Said he thinks the stereo could be causing the light to come on....sounds weird to me. The engine has not been run in a while and he said he put it into double oil mode and it will stay that way for 8 running hours. I am new to boats, so I have a lot to learn it seems.

I took the tube out of the tank today and removed anti siphon valve today. I think it was the anti siphon, it was the valve on the brass fitting at the top of the tube. It ran flawlessly for the entire time, about 1.5 hours. It did have a warning bell come on three times the first ten minutes of running, but it went off as soon as I went below 3000rpm's. Again the guy I bought it from, he is a mechanic, said it was probably from us taking fuel lines loose and the computer would reset itself. I am all of the sudden not exactly trusting the information I am getting.

Although I am not a qualified mechanic. I just ordered the software and cable. It's worth sixty bucks to easily see what the codes say.

 

[MackDaddy1]

Re: 1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

Other information.

I did do compression check. I can;t remember the cylinder numbers, but can tell you from memory what the compression numbers were.

looking at back of motor from top right down
110, 110, 107

looking at back of motor from top left down
107, 107, 105

That is ok?

 

[boobie]

Re: 1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

Your compression looks good. The clicking you heard may have been from lack of fuel when the primer bulb went flat. Good idea to be able to read the codes on that mtr.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

That CHECK ENGINE light is telling you that something is wrong, plus the stereo should not be hooked up to the engine wiring, but sparately to the boat wiring. The most common warning light problems are water inside the engine fuel filter or an electrical voltage problems. Have a trained tech check the motor out for you as the electrical parts are expensive enough to give you a heart attack.

 

[aerobat]

Re: 1998 Johnson Ficht 150 Fast Strike

try to change all fuel filters and make sure you have a water separator in the boat fuel filter, even when you think your filter are good. the engine mounted filter has a water sensor which will trigger a check engine light when water is sensed. its rubbish when the seller says a check engine light says nothing.

due to ticking injector: at my 150 ficht you hear it with cover off and having an ear in the vicinity, you should not hear tickering with cover installed. i have the reworked ficht "ram" , yours is one of the first fichts, but i think the injector sound should be same or similar. something is definitly wrong when just one injector is much louder than the others.

also check the plugs and make sure they are indexed. you should have the heads without deflector pins - just make sure the open gap of the electrode faces towards the injector, roghly 9clock stbd side and 3 clock port side.

good luck !