97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls *Update

Jacob645

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Noticed some large cracks and a little fuel coming out of my carbs. What could be causing this? Do I just need to replace the bowls? It's a V4, so I'm assuming I should go ahead and get 4?

 
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boobie

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Yes, replace all four of them.
 

racerone

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Plastic is not a " permanent " material.---------Also these parts warp with time.--Then again most folks overtighten the screws as well.----Torque on these is in the order of 10 inch lbs.---------I prefer older motors with metal parts.
 

Jacob645

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Do I need new gaskets, drain plug, o-rings, or anything else, or can I just take it all out of the old one?
 

racerone

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

You will need new gaskets.----Use ALL the parts found in the old bowl.----Torque to 10 inch lbs.
 

boobie

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Don't just put the bowl screws in when installing the new bowl. Back them off slightly until you feel a "click" on the screw driver. This starts the screw properly into the carb body old threads.
 

Jacob645

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

So, screw through the plastic then back of til it seats correctly into the top of the carb?
 

MH Hawker

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

frozen water
 

Jacob645

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

I don't know. I keep it in the garage, and it usually doesn't freeze in there. Although it has been quite cold. Down in the teens a few times this year. So, would that mean there's water in my gas? Or condensation?
 

James R

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

There is almost always water in Ethanol gas. You should be using a water trap filter and Stabil in your fuel to help prevent the problems caused by ethanol Gas.
 

boobie

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

No. You back them off BEFORE starting them in the upper carb housing.
 

Jacob645

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

I don't have a water separator, but I always use stabil and keep the tank full.
 

Jacob645

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Is it unsafe to operate it like this?
 

bob johnson

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

So, screw through the plastic then back of til it seats correctly into the top of the carb?

the theory of turning the carb screws backwards before tightening is based on REUSING the old plastic bowls..... you are just making sure you are NOT making NEW threads...backing off allows the screw to fall into the same pitch path it previous was in.... if you buy NEW plastic bowls...I am thinking there is NO thread there now.....so that trick isnt used. ( i have never bought new carb bowls so i am thinking this is the case..ie no threads)
 

racerone

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

I do not believe there are threads in the carburetor bowl at all !!----The threads would be in the carburetor body.
 
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boobie

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Correct.........
 

bob johnson

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

I was thinking I couldn't remember, threads in the plastic bowls......

but the reason you turn backwards is the same... so the screw falls into the old thread path....


from memory, am thinking the screws were a self tapping style.... and not standard machine crews......
bob
 

racerone

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

I believe they are standard machine screws.
 

boobie

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls

They're not a machine screw. I don't know the size but they have a very course thread made for plastic.
 

Jacob645

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Re: 97 Johnson 115 cracked carb bowls *Update

I just got done installing the carb bowls. Afterwards I pumped the bulb to make sure there were no leaks. Then I noticed fuel dripping out of the fuel filter :( Took it off to find 2 warped Orings. It was the bottom side that was warped where the gas would've sat the longest, so I rotated them 180 degrees. No more leak! Good temporary fix til I can get some Orings Monday.

Question: Is there any adjusting I needed to do with the high speed jet in the bottom of the bowl? I just screwed it in.
 
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