1989 johnson dies at idle

daniunas

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Mar 19, 2005
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First of all thanks for all of the info in this forum. You all have answered hundreds of questions prior to this post. I recently bought a 1989 cajun bass boat with an 89 johnson 110 hp v-4 (vro removed) It starts right up, has a good hole shot and runs wot at about 5100 rpms. After running a few hours it runs at a very low idle in gear (4-500rpms) and eventually quits. It acts like it is flooded and wont start up again (this makes docking interesting). There is no fuel coming out of the carbs. Manual is on the way but where is the adjustment on the carbs to boost the low idle up to 750-800 rpms? Thanks in advance.
 

fireman57

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Aug 24, 2004
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Re: 1989 johnson dies at idle

When it runs at "very low idle in gear" pull the spark plug wires one at a time until the rpms change. When you get to the one that does not change your rpm that is the one that has no spark. If they all have good spark then look at your carbs.
 

daniunas

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Mar 19, 2005
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Re: 1989 johnson dies at idle

Thanks, fm57. I tried that and all four had a noticable change in rpm. Any advice on the carbs?
 

fireman57

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Re: 1989 johnson dies at idle

rebuild the carbs and make sure that all passages are clear and clean with compressed air. You may have some crud that is getting in one of your high speed jets. Maybe one of your floats is stuck or your tank is not vented. Seems strange that it would take hours for the problem to develop. Are you sure that it is not overheating?
 

daniunas

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Mar 19, 2005
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Re: 1989 johnson dies at idle

No I am not sure. The motor does not have a temp guage but the tell tale is spitting strong, and it only lumbers at the low idle.
 

Solittle

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Apr 28, 2002
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Re: 1989 johnson dies at idle

The tell tale just indicates that the water pump is pumping. It does not tell you that enough water is circulating where it needs to circulate.<br /><br />By chance have the thermostats been removed? Those motors do not idle well unless they get up to proper operating temp - I have a pair of 87 110s that did not idle well & that problem was with the t-stats.
 

daniunas

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Mar 19, 2005
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Re: 1989 johnson dies at idle

Thanks for your reply solittle. Where are the stats on this motor so I can check them out? I dont have a manual in my hands yet?
 
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