My dad hates his 50 HP Johnson

s car go

Recruit
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
1
My dad bought a leftover 2004 Bombardier Johnson. It is a 50 hp. Shortly after the purchase the seller went out of business. Pretty soon the motor started bogging down to where it would only run six knots wide open. He messed with it some with no success and then put it up for a couple of years. This spring he had the carbs cleaned professionally and it ran great.
for two trips, that is.He's keeping the tank topped off,and using high test fuel with stabilizer and a water seperator.He says it runs fine but only goes six knots. He's ready to un bolt it somewhere near the channel. HELP!
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: My dad hates his 50 HP Johnson

If it is doing the same thing again, maybe you have another carb problem. It kinda sounds like you have a high speed jet problem, clogged. Maybe only running on one cylinder, hows spark and compression?
 

Monte1961

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
1,180
Re: My dad hates his 50 HP Johnson

Tell him to drop it off at my house!
 

wifisher

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
578
Re: My dad hates his 50 HP Johnson

How is it running fine if it only goes six knots? There is more to this story than what you have told us thus far. What RPM is the motor running when it is going six knots? Does it start easily, idle smoothly, rev up with the throttle, goes into gear properly, etc. A little more info about exactly what it is doing may give clues that help find the problem.
 

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: My dad hates his 50 HP Johnson

He needs to check spark with an actual spark tester, if both plugs will jump a 1/4" air gap with a hot blue spark. I suspect only one cylinder is putting out power as Daviet suggested. Pretty much classic symptom of it is what you describe.
JBJ
 

1946Zephyr

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
5,556
Re: My dad hates his 50 HP Johnson

It sounds like too that he's picking up crud from the fuel tank. A motor this late, shouldn't need the carbs rebuilt. At least not for another 20 years or more. If you have too, install an inline fuel filter and you can see if any debris is going through the lines.
 
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