Johnson 9.9 stuck in 1st gear ?

[blueboy22]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on this 9.9 Johnson outboard (85 I think) of mine. Two years ago it ran Great! Last year it would cut out every trip and got worse and worse. I found a guy that on the side fixed motors, and he cleaned the carb and put in new spark plugs and the motor ran like a top, starts right up, trolls fine and doesn't cut out at all now. The problem is it won't go fast at all, if this was a 4 speed in a car it runs like it's stuck in 1st gear. It runs great , but only slow. any Idea's ?, Thanks Steve.

 

[racerone]

Sounds like it is running on one cylinder.------So check for spark on both leads.------Does spark jump a gap of 5/16" or more , yes or no ?

 

[blueboy22]

Yes both have real good spark

 

[boobie]

Do a compression test on it and then a cylinder drop test.

 

[Vic.S]

Hi everyone, ...............................
The problem is it won't go fast at all, if this was a 4 speed in a car it runs like it's stuck in 1st gear. It runs great , but only slow. any Idea's ?, Thanks Steve.

What they say above, check sparks, do compression and cylinder drop test
but
when you say runs like a car stuck in first gear do you mean the engine is revving high but the boat only does slowly? If so suspect spun prop hub.

 

[Chinewalker]

First gear? Do you mean the motor revs, but the boat doesn't go very fast?

 

[jakedaawg]

Visually verify that throttle butterfly opens fully and that timer base moves when throttle is applied. If you have spark and compression a link & sync may be next.

 

[blueboy22]

Do a compression test on it and then a cylinder drop test.

Thanks Boobie, Last fall he said the compression was great, not sure about a cylinder drop test, I'll look into that.

 

[blueboy22]

No Vic and Chinewalker, it doesn't rev in that way. Just goes slow and Motor also goes slow, no reving (I shoulda used a better example) Once in a while it did take off Fast for several seconds then went back to slow though. Thanks Guys.

 

[blueboy22]

Thanks for the info jakedaawg, I'll look into that next.

 

[Chinewalker]

To me, the "taking off fast, then slows back down" points to ignition issue. Maybe a coil going bad, or possibly power pack. They may spark in open air, but under compression there's more resistance.