2001 johnson lower unit

[badjohnson]

I see some older post referring to people having problems with 2001 lower units, dies anyone have any info on this?<br /><br />Here is my story<br /><br />I know I'm screwed, any opinions or advice appreciated. <br />Background: i bought a boat with a 2001 johnson ocean pro 150 under 50 hours on it. i rode a couple of times then had a mechaninc open it up and check it out before buying. he said it looked good and looked like it had under 50 hours. <br /><br />about 5th time out with it the lower unit went out, no collisions, running at about 3500 rpm's in open lake. <br /><br />took it to johnson dealer and tried to get help from bombardier since engine was so clean and so little use. it was out of warranty and they would not do anything. <br /><br />mechanic suggested rebuilding since casing and all else looked good. <br /><br />6 months later but just a few uses, got thru 1 tank of gas since fixed, and lower unit went out again. mechaninc says he would not recommend another rebuild since just done. said maybe something is out of line and causing gears to self destruct. he wants to put whole new lower unit on for another $2,000. <br /><br />What do you think, is engine defective? did mechaninc misdiagnose? any ideas to get help from bombardier? <br /><br />Thanks in advance for your opinions

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

I rebuild my own lower unit and have not had any problems at all with it. You will need a spanner wrench or get a friendly wrench to take it off and tighten it back up but once apart is very straight foward. I printed a drawing of it from an online parts place, didn't even have to buy a manual. I have a line on gears for cheap, and I go directly to the bearing house and get bearings cross reffed, you can save a ton of money this way and get the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Maybe the clutch was not a match for the gearset that was put in last time, or one or 2 of the gears were put in instead of the whole set, they are matched to each other and all need to be replaced at once. On a 150 Mariner, new gearset, new bearings, new seals throughout, and a new impeller cost me under 300 usd including the 40 I gave the wrench to lossen and tighten the spanner nut and install one seal in the waterpump housing. It is still running strong today. It is kinda fun actually. Maybe I have trust issues but I like to see what goes in with my own eyes, and a lot of times the only way I can do that is do it myself. I would reccomend that you get a manual if you don't have one though.

 

[ob]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

I am not aware of any casting issues that would lead to gear alignment problems that may or may not exist on your engines lower unit.If there was ,surely it would be widespread and likely part of a service bulliten.With that said,and without knowing exactly what type of component failure was involved in the gear case failure ,I am at a loss to recommend much.<br /><br />Did the shop show you any of the old parts after removing for the initial gearcase overhaul?Was there any water present in gearcase before or after the failure.If there were any mechanical mis alignment issues after the rebuild ,I would think that those could be detected upon reassembly by a competent wrench.<br /><br />Unfortunately an engine out of warranty is just that.Whether you should attempt another rebuild or purchase new is a question that is up for grabs without all of the clearance and tolerance data at hand.

 

[DJ]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

badjohnson,<br /><br />I think it's a bit of a stretch for you to assume and proclaim that all 2001 Johnson outboards are bad. I've read your comments in another thread. Without facts, you are only bashing.<br /><br />You've had a bad experience and it probably was attributable to a poor repair.

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

dj<br /><br />not sure what other post you are referring to? I did not "proclaim" that all 2001 johnson's are bad, and I did not bash johnsons. I simply told my story and asked if anyone was aware of any problems with 2001 models.<br /><br />But, since you mention it, at this point in time if someone were to ask my opinion of johnson, it would not be very good. but that;s only my opinion based on my experience with this one.

 

[DJ]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

yes, that's my thread but again i don't say anywhere that all 2001's are bad.<br /><br />my point was that no matter how new and clean a used motor appears, you never really know what you are getting. at least new you have a warranty if you do get a lemon.<br /><br />as far as screen name goes, so far i do have a bad johnson.<br /><br />anyway, just to be clear, i am not here to bash johnson. just looking for answers, i really don't want to have to replace lower unit every 5 times i use it.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

Back to basics. What happened to the gears? Did one split? That may be a defective gear. Did they wipe the teeth off? That may be a shimming issue.<br /><br />Were the new gears shimmed properly? Or were the old shims just reused? Was the correct lube used?<br /><br />What gears were replaced?<br /><br />Whose gears were they? There are some aftermarket gears that are quite remarkable. There are some that are pretty sad. If they were Bombardier gears they should be under warranty. I suspect they werent or the dealer would have already been on the phone to them.<br /><br />

What do you think, is engine defective?

Why would you think the whole engine is defective? I understand your confidence has been shattered but lets look a little further.

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

dhadley,<br /><br />thanks for your comments and good questions. to be honest, i did not thoroughly inspect gears the first time it went out.<br /><br />the dealer did say parts have one year warranty when he rebuilt.<br /><br />but, now he says maybe bad gear was not what caused problem and if rebuilt parts did not cause problem then rebuild would not be covered under 1 year warranty.<br /><br />I'm no machanic so this is all new to me. i am just trying to figure out where to go from here and how to keep cost down and get reliable engine.

 

[DJ]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

Dhadley always gives great advice, with a cool head too.<br /><br />I think the dealer is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Something doesn't pass the smell test.<br /><br />What's a one year warranty good for if exactly the same symptom (blown lower unit) happened again. You didn't fix it, he did.<br /><br />That's what you were paying him for, to figure it out.<br /><br />If it were me, I would, very nicely, take him to task and ask him just what part of his work is not warranted.

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

yes, at this point i need to nicely take him to task.<br /><br />but i did want to learn more so that i may be able to know if and when he talks out of both sides.<br /><br />thanks

 

[randycc58]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

did you check to see if there were any recalls on your motor. Like a bad grade of metal used to make the gears? I agree with dj about the dealer too.<br /> Perhaps its time to find someone else to look at the problem. Save your bill, and ask the first guy to look at that, if he cant warranty their work any better than that.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

Is the rebuilding dealer an authorized Evinrude or Johnson (Bombardier) dealer?<br /><br />Hey -- when you picked up the motor I'm sure he gave you a work order. What are the part numbers and discription of the parts listed in the repair?

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

yes it is a johnson dealer. i will need to pull my paperwork to see if they listed part numbers.<br />they did say they would use bomb parts that would come with 1 yr warranty. i don't know if theyt actually used them though

 

[DJ]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

It's a good idea to check part numbers, that's step one.<br /><br />However, it is not impossible that a dealer listed "genuine" numbers and actually used "knock offs". <br /><br />I've seen it happen in my business. <br /><br />The parts should have some logos on them. A disassembly may be in order.

 

[clanton]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

A dealer should have no problem with a warranty on the parts and labor. The case can be checked. Idle rpm is also inportant. No recalls, no bulletins. Some gears were junk. Smooth operating control, correctly adjusted cables, working detent between farward/reverse also helps.

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

i got my receipt many things were replaced the numbers for some are as follows:<br />gear set -435-020<br />r. gear -336-561<br />shifter 337-817<br /><br />there are several other parts listed. as far as operating smoothly after 1st rebuild, it did seem to stick in reverse when returning it back to neutral. i assumed was just control adjustment, but to be safe i did bring it back to dealer and let them adjust it.<br /><br />i will try to look up any recalls today.<br /><br />thanks again for all the good info.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

Well the first number has been superceeded (several years ago). Its strange that the new number was not the one listed. The second number is good but the third number does not show up in my book. That may or may not mean anything.<br /><br />I think I'd want to talk to Bombardier and see what they say. Remember -- the dealer cannot approve or deny a warranty request. Thats up to Bombardier, the dealer only submits it. Especially if the dealer guarantees the parts were from Bombardier.

 

[badjohnson]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

I just spoke to bomb. at this point we are going to have the bomb. local rep take a look.<br /><br />bomb. said they have current issue on record listed as "gear case failure"<br /><br />if true how does that effect warranty on rebuild parts?<br /><br />i also asked about history and bulletins or recalls. the motor does not have any warranty claims on record from original owner, and no recalls. etc...

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 2001 johnson lower unit

Good for you! I'm sure it will work out and restore your confidence.<br /><br />BTW -- where are you located?