Pair of 1998 Johnson 225's

[evanduf]

I just bought a boat with a pair of carburated 225 Ocean Runners (460 hours +/-) and am getting her ready to live in the Bahamas. The guy I bought her from replaced the port powerhead 8 hours ago and ran the engines with mix in the tank (disconnected pumps) because he was told the oil pumps are very unreliable. These are my first outboards and I have some questions if you please.<br /><br />On the sea trial they started quick and ran great. Flowscan read 12.5 at 4000rpm. Starters are new (rebuilt). Controls were very stiff so I replaced them and all cables. Port engine now sometimes barely runs (low rpm) when shifting back into neutral from reverse. Is this just a shift cable adjustment?<br /><br />Compression Starboard from top to bottom (not sure how they are numbered); 100,96,100,95,95,98. This engine smoked more than the other and left an oil slick on water.<br /><br />Compression Port; 107,101,111,101,106,91 (does not seem right for 8 hours on new powerhead).<br /><br />Does a de-carb make sense with these readings?<br /><br />Should I fear the oil pumps? What I fear more is someone putting in fuel without oil.<br /><br />Is there a descaling flush you can run through the cooling system? Older powerhead repeatedly plugs outlet with crud.<br /><br />What spares would you send with her? I have ordered manuals to follow maintenance guidelines. With proper maintenance, what kind of life expectancy should they offer from this point?<br /><br />Any other advice for a complete outboard saltwater rookie?<br /><br />Evan

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Pair of 1998 Johnson 225's

Welcome!!<br /><br />On the low idle deal its probably the shift interrupter switch out of adjustment. When the motor is in forward or reverse, as you start to bring it back into neutral it will momentarily cause 3 cylinders to shut down for easier shifting. More than likely its just a cable adjustment since it showed up right after new cables were installed. The shift switch is on the starboard side on the shift linkage. The proceedure is outlined in detail in the service manual.<br /><br />If you dont have a service manual I would get one. Most folks prefer the OE ones since they are very specific to your engine and contain more details and less mis-information.

 

[evanduf]

Re: Pair of 1998 Johnson 225's

Thanks. That makes sense as it sounded like it lost a couple cylinders, more like a cabbage fart on a hard park bench. I will play with the switch & linkage.<br /><br />I am set on the VRO issue and have a cleaning plan for the cooling systems.<br /><br />Would still appreciate compression comments and list of likely needed spares over the next few years. Duty is 35% over there and I thought I'd just stock the boat.<br /><br />Evan

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Pair of 1998 Johnson 225's

The compression looks fine except for the one cylinder on the port motor that may be a tad low. Look at the casting numbers to make sure all 4 heads are the same. Or at least both heads on each motor are the same number.