johnson 112 spl questions

I inherited a 112 johnson spl. I do not know much about outboards but I do my best to learn. It is having a few issues that I could use help with.

The lower unit when placed in forward or reverse acts like it wants to go into gear but does not, you can hear it clattering around trying to find the gear. After a couple tries and sometimes having to rev it up a bit it will find the gear. Once it finds the gear it will bump/slip a couple times while moving and then everything is fine. The shift and throttle cables were replaced about 6 months ago and that solved the issue for a while but it is now doing it again. I changed lower oil and there was very little shavings on the magnets and oil looked fair for being in there over 6 months. That leads me to believe that it is a cable/linkage issue. The end of the cable is tight to the linkage, so is there elsewhere I can look?

Also I am in need of a new starting battery and was curious if anyone has a recommendation/ Size and CCA rating for this motor. I am located in S.E Texas so the climate is moderate, I use it about 4-8 times a month and recharge before every trip.

Any and all tips/suggestions will be appreciated.
Also any online links to info on this motor and maint/care would be a good help.

Re: johnson 112 spl questions

Your shift cable is probably in need of slight adjustment. I'd disconnect it at the engine, then manually shift the engine shift lever it into forward till it locks. While the cable end is still disconnected, shift the throttle handle to forward. Note where the cable end winds up in relation to the engine's shifted lever bolt. You may need to adjust the cable slightly at the engine end to get it to properly align/meet with the engine's shift bolt. Repeat with the lever in reverse, understanding that any adjustment you make in foward will affect how it shifts into reverse. Only one adjustment to the cable-it affects F-N-R. On that V4, the factory recommends a battery with 360 cold crank amps. 115 minutes reserve @ 80 degrees.

Re: johnson 112 spl questions

The lower unit shift rod measurement in neutral, from the top surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole is critical. If that lower unit has been off and the shift rod turned, the measurement is wrong and it will be impossible to have the shift function properly. No, I don't have that measurement handy but I'm sure that another member will advise you of it shortly.

And pertaining to the shift cable adjustment..............
(Centering Shift Cable)
(J. Reeves)

When all is as it should be, the proper method to adjust the shift cable is to disconnect the cable from the engine. Move the shift linkage on the engine to find the center of the play in neutral, and when found, leave it centered.

Now, grab the end of the shift cable sleeve, push and pull it to find the center of the play there, and center that play.

Adjust the trunion on the threaded portion of the shift cable so that the centered play of the cable lines up with the centered play of the engine's shift linkage. Install and lock the shift cable with the retaining clamp in that position. That's it.

Re: johnson 112 spl questions

Thanks for the tips guys, I will give that a shot and see what happens and report back.