HELP-Johnson 5.5 hp firing on ONE CYLINDER :-(

[tonyp71]

This 5.5 Johnson SeaHorse motor is firing on just one cylinder...most of the time. However, mysteriously for a moment I got it running on both cylinders and it ran great....for about a minute and then it started back on one again for no apparent reason. I pulled the plugs and one is wet and cool while the other is dry, tan and hot. I just did a compression test and they are both about 85 psi. One spark is blue and strong and the other is blue too but is only sparking intermittently if not at all. I checked the wire back as far as I could and did not see any signs of damage or looseness. Is this a typical sign of bad points? Does it have points?! Does the flywheel have to be removed to inspect and adjust the points? Are points still readily available for this old motor? Any help here with this matter will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bear]

Re: HELP-Johnson 5.5 hp firing on ONE CYLINDER :-(

I think you need a new plug wire. That happend to my '65 6HP too. You need to pull the flywheel. Check or replace the points at the same time.<br /><br />Search this section for more info. Just type 5.5

 

[Kbec10]

Re: HELP-Johnson 5.5 hp firing on ONE CYLINDER :-(

Hey Tony....I've got a motor like that too..(1954 5.5 seahorse) and I used it all weekend without a problem and just as I wanted to go and "park it", it started to act up on me...I think it's not firering on both cylinders...I've got some power put it's like it's not going all out like usuall. Is that a sign of not fireing on all cylinders? How can I check if it is?

 

[JB]

Re: HELP-Johnson 5.5 hp firing on ONE CYLINDER :-(

Both of you guys need to get a manual. <br /><br />You probably both have a condenser failure or points failure for one cylinder.<br /><br />Replace condensers (they are cheap), clean and set points to .020.<br /><br />Let us know, and, BTW, do not piggyback your question on someone elses thread. Make your own thread.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Bear]

Re: HELP-Johnson 5.5 hp firing on ONE CYLINDER :-(

I forgot to mention the condeser. Of course you replace it while you are at it. Thanks JB!

 

[tonyp71]

Re: HELP-Johnson 5.5 hp firing on ONE CYLINDER :-(

Thanks for your advice. I did a forum search for this motor and found a whole bunch of useful info! I like to get other people's opinions up front. I'll be sure to check out a repair manual from my local library to help keep everything in perspective during my tune-up. Thanks again to everyone who replied.