Johnson 200 Compression??

[nebraska_woody]

I recently bought a fish/ski boat this spring (1989 Cajun 195 Esprite) and have had to do a few little things to the motor to get it to run right. what I am wondering is when the mechanic gave me his bill, he had listed all the compression checks of each cylinder in the head. They all were between 62 and 67. What is a good compression to have? What are most new motors tested at? is my compression good or should I have a mechanic go through the motor and bore out the cylinders and have new rings put in to better my performance. I dont have a lot of take off power from the motor and it takes a little bit to get on a plane, so it's not great when trying to pull skiers. with 200 hp, I never would have dreamed I would have that problem, but what can i do? i have a 14.25x21 stainless 4 blade on it now. with my combination as it stands seems to work best with that prop, but is the powerhead "weak" with that much/little compression? thanks.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

I believe those numbers, if correct, are low. My 200 merc's are approximately 130 each. Have them rechecked with a different gauge AND different mechanic. You should be able to pull a skier out with a 200 on a 19 foot boat. Is your moter trimmed ALL THE WAY DOWN when coming out of the hole? It should be, and trim tabs down if you have them.

 

[nebraska_woody]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

thanks for responding purse*snatcher, I have an appointment with another boat doctor wed for him to get the idle set right, as it does not idle smoothly between 800 and 1000 RPM. in fact it usually ends up spitting and sputtering till it chokes off. Do you have an idea of the best way to correct my problem with low compression? I'm familiar with regular car and truck engines, but do the same "fixes" go along with outboard motors as well? It just seems to me that the motor should have a lot more "zip" than it does for something that big. thanks again.

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

Try running a Decarb. Some that 12Footer on here recommends is called SeaFoam "Deep Creep". You can get this from Napa for about $5. I used this and it brought my compression up and now the 88 Force 125 that I have will jerk my 200lb butt out of the water on a wakeboard on my 19.5 Foot Bayliner. Your boat should about rip your arms off, so something is definetly wrong with the way that engine is running.<br /><br />You should also check to make sure the Plugs are ok, check the timing, check the carbs, make sure the carbs are opening all the way up. I would say you might have a carb problem, but not sure about this boat.<br /><br />Try the decarb and see what happesn, oh yea it will smoke alot when you do the decarb, follow the instructions on the can.<br /><br />Hope you get that beast running. It should really fly.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan Cox

 

[nebraska_woody]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

thanks Brian,<br /> I used the regular SEA FOAM for a couple tank fulls when I first got the boat, and it helped it smooth out it's running. Is this "deep creep" another type of sea foam, or is there only 1 sea foam product? I was looking online last night and contemplating the idea of buying a rebuilt powerhead for my motor for around $3500, but is there a cheaper fix than that? It seems to me from reading other people's questions and answers that my motor should just about double the compression i have now for what it should be. Another question one might answer for me is how often should I use the sea foam? should I use an octane booster too? or a lead additive for that motor? I hate it when i dont know anything about the motor I bought, or how dependable it will be for long fishing trips. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all who respond. I ran into this website last night, and joined as a member... I wish i knew it was here long ago... it's great to be able to get other people's opinions about things without going to have some specialist check it out and having to pay for the advice all the time!! Thanks guys

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

This post was made earlier by "DUNK": Regarding Seafoam Deep Crank <br /><br />Seafoam is made by Sea Foam in Hopkin Mn. Seafoam is the liquid version. Deep Creep is the spray version. Both are available thru NAPA or CarQuest auto stores. OMC's product is called Engine Tuner. Merc's is called Power Tune. Both OMC's and Merc's are much slower working than Seafoam/DC If you have the choice get the Deep Creep because it's easiest that way to spray down the idling engine carbs. You ca reach around the sides of the carbs to linkage's to keep the idle up some so the juice doesn't stall the engine while you are spraying it in. Once you get about 1/2 the can in drop the idle down and drown the engine till it stalls. With Seafoam the job is done after letting it sit 10-15mins, OMC and Merc stuff takes 12 hrs. Once you start the engine it will smoke like something you read about. You don't need to go run it wide open to finish blowing out the carbon, just run it normally. You can try doing it again, but if you get no smoke on the second time you know it cleared the carbon the first time

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

I know what you mean. I love this site also. They have helped me so much with fixing up some friends boats and tweaking mine out.<br /><br />I don't think I would do any of the additives if I were you, but that I am not sure what they would do. The only thing that I add to my tank is Fuel Stabilizer, when it sits for more than 3 weeks or so. But this is just something that I do.<br /><br />As for the compression your right it should probably be at least 120 or so, but over 100 would be ok, from what I have read. I don't think I would purchase a new powerhead that fast, unless your dying to spend the money, lol. I would remove the Heads and check the head gasket, take a look at the cylinders to see if you have stuck rings or anything. This could give you a better understanding of what the problem is. The Deep Creep is the spray version of the SeaFoam Decarb. This is what I used, sprayed it into my carbs and it made my baby really purr when it was done. So it worked awesomely for me, and got my Compression up to where it should be.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan Cox

 

[nebraska_woody]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

One more question for anyone who can help me again. I am took the advice, and bought a couple cans of Deep Creep to clean up the carbs... I'm sure this is a simple answer, but i'm unfamiliar enough with the outboard motor (I can build a house, but dont know sh*t about outboards...lol). where exactly are the carbs on my machine? I got all prepped and ready to do what you were telling me, but as a carpenter (not a mechanic) I dont know exactly how or where to get to the carbs to open them up and spray them down with the deep creep. Feel free to enlighten a nail pounder if you would, as I would greatly appreciate it. thanks again to all.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

Im not exactly sure with your motor, but they are probably under a black box type air breather in the front of the engine. They usually sit one on top of the other and are made to be accessed easily. Just unbolt the black box thingy and you should see them under it.

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

Ive got a buddy's 200 HP johnson sitting in my driveway right now. I am at work, and haven't looked at his carbs, but they are under the Black box that is closest to the inside of the boat.<br /><br />Hope this helps. I'm not sure how it comes off, but it will someway.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan Cox

 

[wibiker]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

the carbs are under black box toward front of engine, took mine off yesterday, there are 2 bolts in center near bottom also besides side bolts. its just a air box cover, it has about 14 bolts, alittle overkill

 

[Hooty]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

Invest in a manual. It's good juju.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

While 62-67 psi seems low compression, the fact that all 6 are in that range seems even more suspicious/noticeable. I'd recheck the compression with a good gauge, good starter & charged battery (or have someone do it) before you get too worried about doing things to fix 'low compression'. <br /><br />Generally when compression drops in a motor, it doesn't drop evenly (usually just one cylinder, or one bank).

 

[nebraska_woody]

Re: Johnson 200 Compression??

Thankyou to everybody who has responded back to me about my various questions, As of right now, the Dr. is in, and is working on it for me. I am looking for a manual for it, and gradually will know more about all this happy horse **** down the road, but i figured this time i'd let the professionals deal with it...lol. I'm glad you guys respond back so fast on these types of questions, as it really helps me to learn about my quirky motor!! Anytime i can help someone with a building or remodeling question, let me know, as this is probably the only way I can repay any of you for helping me with my boat problems..lol. Thanks again guys