1969 40 HP Johnson

Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
65
Alright, this thing has been with the mechanic for two and half weeks and counting. I called today at 2:30 pm when they close at 7 pm to find out what the status is. The guy said that the mechanic was "working" on it. How long does it take to troubleshoot this engine if you are an experienced mechanic? If spark is good, compression is good, than how long does it take to possibly re-built the carb? or anything eles for that matter?
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1969 40 HP Johnson

As a retired outboard mechanic, I can tell you that the 4th of July holiday is a very busy time. Fact is, I got a gut full of ulcers from trying to satisfy everybody. I couldn't, and apparently neither could your guy.

Hey, not many places will even mess with a 1969 motor these days.
 

oldslowandugly

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 12, 2010
Messages
98
Re: 1969 40 HP Johnson

I had one of those. Great motor until it stranded me. Same deal, good spark, good compression, good fuel. I was so pissed I donated it to the old-timer that towed me in. He said the reed valves had broken, and it took a long time to determine that.
 
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
65
Re: 1969 40 HP Johnson

Well, I am really annoyed about the customer service. I call them on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 pm when they close at 7:00 pm and they said "hes working on it". Then i call them at 12:30 pm the following day and they said that they did a compression test and it checked good in both cylinders and now he's checking the points and ignition. If they points and ignition and compression all checked good, why is it taking so long? they said two weeks, now we are pushing 3 weeks. I know that the compression and ignition test does NOT take that long! Also, if their business says two weeks and it takes three, WHY DIDNT THEY CALL ME TO UPDATE ME ON ANY OF THE FINDINGS? I am not an idiot, I worked on a bunch of different cars and I have worked on F-16's. This engines is NOT rocket science. I live in Vermont, we have 12 weekends of good boating, out of the 12 weekends we are lucky to get 7 without rain. TOO SHORT! What do these people do? Is this common for boat mechanics? do they typically work 4 hour days with a 1 hour lunch? I could have rebuild the whole engine in three weeks.
 

geoffwga1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Messages
398
Re: 1969 40 HP Johnson

I'm sorry but I have to ask,if you could rebuild the whole thing in three weeks why didn't you,and save yourself a potfull of money.Outboard repair shops are never in a hurry and are very busy in the Summer anyway.
geoffwga1
 
Top