'86 90HP Johnson overheat

[scw8262]

I was out in the gulf of mexico the other day and I got my boat stuck in the mud. My engine started smoking so I turned it off. I had to get someone to tow me back to the dock. Now my engine won't start at all. Are there some things I need to check. I know the water pump is working because water is coming out of the pee hole. I just don't know what else exactly to check and/or replace. Please help. Thanks in advance.<br /><br />Shawn

 

[ajp]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

You need to give more info re not starting. What exactly is it doing. My fatherinlaw's son got stuck in the mud with a Johnson 35Hp. About 5 minutes later, the result was a fried engine that needed $500.00 in parts alone for a rebuild. It doesn't take long to ruin a good engine with not cooling water.<br /><br />Arlan

 

[scw8262]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

when i turn the key it wnats to start, it is trying but it's like there is something that is not letting it. I don't know if it is something as small as the spark plugs or as big as the cylinders being fried.

 

[DJ]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

SCW,<br /><br />I think you may have "cooked" it. My experience with V-4's is that the top cylinder goes first (I believe it's #3) and it doesn't take much to either pop a head gasket or score the cylinder.<br /><br />Do you have spark on all four? If not you may have cooked a powerpack.<br /><br />If you do, you have mechanical problems. It's relatively easy to pull the heads and have a look. I wouldn't trust the head gaskets anyway after getting it that hot.

 

[jegervais]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

If it got hot enough to smoke, inspect the wiring harness, power pack and other under-hood components and see if anything is melted. If it got hot enough to melt things, at the very least do a compression test and write down your results. Then pull the cylinder heads and inspect the head gaskets, water deflectors and have a look at the cylinder bores. If you're really, really lucky, maybe you just need new water deflectors and head gaskets.<br /><br />Keep us posted...<br /><br />-John

 

[scw8262]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

I checked to see if I have a spark on all four, and I don't have a spark on any of the four. Is it the power pack? What else should I check?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[petryshyn]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

SCW<br />No spark on 4 cylinders eh?<br />Now you're into the ignition system. Since you have no spark on any cylinders, check to be sure the lanyard switch isn't flicked! Next, disconnect the kill wires (any black/yellow wires going to packs) and try again.(if it starts, you must ground the packs where the black/yellows were) If still no spark:<br />>check charge coils (in stator)<br />>check trigger coils (in stator)<br />>check ignition coils (doubtfull to have 4 fail at once)<br /><br />You gotta have a good manual at this stage of the game.....<br /><br />good luck!

 

[scw8262]

Re: '86 90HP Johnson overheat

Thanks to everyone who replied to my problem. I checked it out and I finally got it fixed. The head gaskets had been completely blown, the impeller was melted, the entire lower unit was full of mud, and finally, some of the ground wires were loose. I was LUCKY. It only cost me about $140 to fix and I am so very greatful to those of you who helped. Thanks for the expertise and support. <br /><br />Shawn