1995 60 Hp Johnson - Lost Power at High Speed

Bummed out on the fishing opener - my 60 Hp Johnson acted up. Drove at full throttle for 10 minute sor so no problem. Then later again, for about 5 minutes, looked at the instrument panel and saw it reading about 7,000 rpm which seemed really high, and at the same time noticed I was losing speed, slowly but surely the motor lost power completely. Motor was not hot when I checked. Restarted OK a couple minutes later and ran at medium speed OK for another 5 minutes. When idling thereafter the rpm guage was jumping around, but the engine seemed to be idling comfortably with no surging. Made me think maybe the RPM guage was broken, but then, at medium-high speed noticed the power reducing and so I cut back on the throttle and the engine died with kind of a "squeak" - egad! Checked and it was not hot. I didn't try to start it again. Took it in for service at the dealer, but wondering if anyone has had the same problem, or ideas. Out of commission for two weeks now waiting for service! Not how I planned to start the walleye season. Thanks for any help/advice.

Re: 1995 60 Hp Johnson - Lost Power at High Speed

Welcome to iboats.

Sounds like a gearlube problem or water in the oil tank. Let's hope not, neither option is going to be cheap. 7000 is way high, but I think it's more likely a Tach problem or loose battery connections. I do think you have two separate unrelated problems.

Re: 1995 60 Hp Johnson - Lost Power at High Speed

Thanks for your advice Willy B Wright. I am truly a novice at the large outboard game. I am learning that owning this piece of equipment won't be cheap. I decided to be patient and give the dealer a crack at solving the problem. I hope I didn't do serious damage. Your suggestion of water in the oil reservoir is not out of the question because early this year I left the plug in and the back end filled with water during a rainstorm. The oil reservoir was afloat. However, I had my daughters out twice after the rainstorm but before this power loss incident for boat rides and it hadn't happened in either of those outings. I'll keep my fingers crossed and when I find out what the diagnosis is I'll post a message.