1996 Vintage 4-Stroke 15HP Johnson.....Anyone know this engine?

[SeaKaye12]

Sitting in the garage is one of the early OMC 4-stroke 15 HP motors.

J15FRLEDR I'm looking for anything any of you can tell me.....who made it....what quirks it might have....it's basic reputation in the industry. It seems very well made....but I've gotten hints from here and there that it is less than desirable as engines go.....and I was hoping to get some feedback. At first I thought it might have been made by Yamaha or such....but it has the freezeplugs like other OMC products..... Anyone? Thanks....

 

[JB]

Re: 1996 Vintage 4-Stroke 15HP Johnson.....Anyone know this engine?

I had a '97 9.9HP version of that outboard, SeaKaye12. I didn't have it very long, but it was great power for my Boston Whaler Tender11. I was under the impression that it was made by OMC, but others have told me that it was a Suzuki product. I do remember that my OEM Service Manual was by OMC.

Smooth and quiet. Used little gas compared to 2 strokes in that class.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1996 Vintage 4-Stroke 15HP Johnson.....Anyone know this engine?

Back in that year it was built by OMC.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: 1996 Vintage 4-Stroke 15HP Johnson.....Anyone know this engine?

This one runs nicely but leaks oil from the bottom crank seal. Does anyone know if that seal can be replaced easily (with the powerhead removed of course) without the need for splitting the crankcase?

The seal in question is #11 on the attached drawing