81 johnson 100 thermostat question

hello everyone i just bought my johnson 100 a couple months ago. when i run it on a hose or idle it in the water the starboard cylinders get much hotter than the other two on the other side. ive been told by some boat mechanics that most of the time they just remove the thermostats and let water run freely. im debating whether to do this or not? ive been using my boat for a couple months and just got over some bad coils and a power pack on the same side. im not sure if my thermostats are original or not but should i attempt to remove them or replace them? ive had it running for full days on the water the way it is and im assuming that if it were to overheat or have some sort of problem due to the thermostat not working properly it wouldve happened already, but then again im unsure. at idle the starboard gets much hotter but sometimes when i check it in the middle of a ride it will be cool. not sure what to make of it all i dont want to damage anything has anyone had this problem or heard of this before?

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

What's your model number, I don't see a 100hp listed in 1981.
A thermostat is a maintaince item and will need to be checked or replaced in time. I am not a beleaver in leaving the thermostats out of a two cycle, the engine needs to be at a certain temp to preform properly.
If it is cooling OK at speed and warms up at an idle, I would wounder about the water pump, has it been serviced recently?

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

replace them both as a 'pair'. Removing them, and you risk an air pocket on top and burning down your regulator and charge system and if really unlucky some pistons!

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

model number is J100MLCSC i think its an 80 actually. i myself have not done any service on the water pump. the stream is very strong, if that means anything. the starboard side just gets hot fairly quickly when i first start while the other side stays cool all the time. safe bet is to replace the thermostats then?

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

Yes, it's a 1980.
Maybe you have some water deflectors in the block that need to be replaced, or you need to replace the thermostats as Haffiman suggested.

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

Not getting hot might even be no combustion on one cylinder on that side?
Check all your spark plugs for even color and wear.

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

Water deflectors I am not familiar with I will look into this and changing thermostats thank you

Re: 81 johnson 100 thermostat question

It's stays lukewarm but no where near as hot as starboard. Both Power packs, the 4 coils and spark plugs are all brand new