1988 johnson 200 idle problem

[anauburnfan]

Motor does not idle well in water in nuetral or in gear. Just a little above all the way to wot it runs fine. At idle, it will run okay for a little then spit/pop run rough and stall. It will crank right back up and do it again. Doesn't matter if cold or warm. I recently took off and cleaned all 6 carbs thinking it might be the problem. There was no noticable gunk, but I sprayed and blew them dry thoroughly. Compression is even in all cylinders. All plug wires jump 7/16 gap when running. The motor is relatively new to me and it has had this problem since I got it. The rough idle is not noticable on the hose.

I have also noticed that fuel leaks down the midsection from the bottom of the lower motor cover. I had not been able to I'd the source. But after running it this weekend it looks like it might be coming from a small tube on the port side that goes from the top of the motor case on the front to the bottom of the crank case on the front. (Near where the pulse line comes out to the fuel pump). I am not sure what this tube is for (recirculation? Fuel? Vacuum?) and it is hard to get to. Could this be part of the problem? It would be nice if I could dock or load this thing without it. Cutting off.

Oh also the tach recently quit working. Not sure if that could be a symptom of something. It either stays at 0 rpm (most of the time) or pegs out at max. Nothing in between.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Van Wildonher]

Re: 1988 johnson 200 idle problem

Do you have a manual? If you see fuel leaking you should fix that. I'd start by fixing all leaks you can find, then do a synch and link, see where that gets ya. Sounds like it might be idling too slow, but without a tach who knows.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 johnson 200 idle problem

My V-6 cross flow had the same idle problem.
The link and sync procedure from the shop manual solved it.

I also had the fuel leak or stains on the mid section.It was the power head to adapter plate gasket.
I also replaced every fuel line and recirculation hoses..If that is what the correct term for them..the small rubber hoses to the crankcase and manifold.

A great starting point is to get the factory shop manual...makes working on these motors SO much better!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 johnson 200 idle problem

Here is the manual,
Email the seller your serial number to verify this is the correct book.

Tell him Gary in NC sent ya!

He ships super fast,great guy to deal with.

This book is worth every dime!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...p3286Q2em7QQcategoryZ26453QQitemZ120622056981

 

[anauburnfan]

Re: 1988 johnson 200 idle problem

Haven't bought the manual yet. Maybe it'll be under the tree at Christmas...guess I will need it for link procedure.

When tach was working, idle speed seemed okay. About 1000 on hose, little less in water. I'm going to see if I can tighten that little tube or replace it to see if that is indeed the leak and if it helps out the idle. Then move on to buying the manual.

Is the link and sync procedure pretty easy to perform with the instructions in the manual?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1988 johnson 200 idle problem

Link and sync is pretty easy....It just sets all the carbs to close and open exactly the same.

Mine had a sneeze at idle that drove me nuts. The problem was one carb was opened just a bit too much causing the other two carbs to have a lean issue.

After having them off the motor that could very well be the problem.