Stator?

[PensacolaJason]

I am having an issue with my 1983 Johnson 50hp. It has a difficult time running when in idle and When I put it in the water and give it throttle it will move very slow, probably 10mph max with the throttle all the way down. Occasionally I can get it to full power, but not often. I took it to a mechanic who kept it for two weeks without any word and after calling him twice after the second week I finally got a hold of him and he said that it was a bad stator causing the issue. He said the stator was $370 and after labor it would be over $600. I'm posting because another mechanic told me that my issue doesn't sound like a stator issue. This other mechanic had my boat for a different issue just weeks earlier and he said that spark was great and compression was very good too.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone can chime in on whether they think that what I've described would be the cause of a bad stator and does $600+ sound reasonable for the service.

 

[DavidD]

Re: Stator?

Just curious why didnt you take it back to the mechanic you had already had taken it to?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Stator?

The stator part number was originally 581651 but has superseded up to part number 763770. I don't have the latest price book however but in 2010, that stator listed new for approximately $295.00. A jump of $75.00 to $370.00 within a four year period seems a little out of line to me, however that price may be legitimate.

It takes about a hour to change that stator... what does that guy charge per hour?

Do some trouble shooting on your own here... start with the basics...............

Remove the spark plugs and check the compression... what are the psi readings of the individual cylinders?

With the spark plugs still removed, the spark at cranking speed should jump a 7/16" gap with a strong blue lightning like flame. Does it? If the spark is as it should be, it is quite unlikely that a stator problem exists. However.... visually inspect the stator to see if it may be starting to melt down. If it is, there will be a sticky looking substance dripping from it down on the powerhead area.

You can use a poor mans spark tester... use a #2 philips screwdriver inserted into the spring plug connector that is inside the rubber plug boot, then hold the shank of the screwdriver that approximate 7/16" away from the powerhead.

Spark plugs should be Champion QL77JC4 plugs gapped at either the original recommended .040 or the revised gap of .030 . Try the .040 first.

Let us know what you find.

 

[PensacolaJason]

Re: Stator?

Just curious why didnt you take it back to the mechanic you had already had taken it to?

Because that mechanic lives a long way from my house.

 

[boobie]

Re: Stator?

Do a cylinder drop test on it when it's acting up and see if it's running on both cylinders. Do you live in Pensacola ?? If you do, I know a good DLR there. Do the drop test after you do the compression test.