1997 150HP Johnson

[bschmitty83]

Hey Everyone,
I hope someone can give me some guidance on this. I am looking at buying a boat that has a 1997 150hp Johnson outboard (model unknown). The owner says he bought this motor 3 years ago as a rebuilt model. I am concerned about buying a rebuilt motor, but thought I would ask you all your opinion. Is this something I should automatically steer away from, or should I give it a chance and get it checked out before I buy? Does anyone know about any known issues with this year/make of outboard?

FYI, the motor is on a 1986 Champion Bass Boat.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[fixmyevinrude]

Re: 1997 150HP Johnson

Find out where it was rebuilt. Is it a reputable repair shop or dealer?
Set up an appointment with a reputable service center to check the motor out. (compression, lower unit leaks etc.) Do a little homework on this ahead of time so you know where you want to take it. See if you can talk to the tech who performs this or better yet if you can watch. Assure him you won't get in the way. Take notes and ask questions afterwards. As far as who pays for this you can negotiate this with the owner. I would not under any circumstances buy this boat (or any other used boat) with out a through check up by a qualified tech. I also would not take it to the same place that rebuilt it.

 

[sailfish252]

Re: 1997 150HP Johnson

Hey Everyone,
I hope someone can give me some guidance on this. I am looking at buying a boat that has a 1997 150hp Johnson outboard (model unknown). The owner says he bought this motor 3 years ago as a rebuilt model. I am concerned about buying a rebuilt motor, but thought I would ask you all your opinion. Is this something I should automatically steer away from, or should I give it a chance and get it checked out before I buy? Does anyone know about any known issues with this year/make of outboard?

FYI, the motor is on a 1986 Champion Bass Boat.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Is it an early FICHT engine or a carb engine? The FICHT engines had their problems and you don't see them much anymore. This could be a problem because not many dealers will work on them anymore. The carb version of this engine however was a very good motor and they used it up until a few years ago basically unchanged. Buying a rebuilt engine is not a bad idea, this one has been running for the last three years. More often than not if there is an error made in the rebuilding if would show up in the first hour or even less. Did the owner know why it failed in the first place? Sadley many shops will rebuild an engine without fully understanding why it failed, be it overheated, failed oil/fuel pump, lean carbs, timing off etc. Lastly bring it to a Johnson/Evinrude dealer or at least a shop that knows these engines. The timing can only be done correctly with a special tool and a tech with the training to use it. GOOD LUCK

 

[sailfish252]

Re: 1997 150HP Johnson

Hey Everyone,
I hope someone can give me some guidance on this. I am looking at buying a boat that has a 1997 150hp Johnson outboard (model unknown). The owner says he bought this motor 3 years ago as a rebuilt model. I am concerned about buying a rebuilt motor, but thought I would ask you all your opinion. Is this something I should automatically steer away from, or should I give it a chance and get it checked out before I buy? Does anyone know about any known issues with this year/make of outboard?

FYI, the motor is on a 1986 Champion Bass Boat.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Is it an early FICHT engine or a carb engine? The FICHT engines had their problems and you don't see them much anymore. This could be a problem because not many dealers will work on them anymore. The carb version of this engine however was a very good motor and they used it up until a few years ago basically unchanged. Buying a rebuilt engine is not a bad idea, this one has been running for the last three years. More often than not if there is an error made in the rebuilding if would show up in the first hour or even less. Did the owner know why it failed in the first place? Sadley many shops will rebuild an engine without fully understanding why it failed, be it overheated, failed oil/fuel pump, lean carbs, timing off etc. Lastly bring it to a Johnson/Evinrude dealer or at least a shop that knows these engines. The timing can only be done correctly with a special tool and a tech with the training to use it. GOOD LUCK

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1997 150HP Johnson

Johnsons are carb motor, Evinrude were Fichts.

BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it.

 

[sailfish252]

Re: 1997 150HP Johnson

When FICHT first came out(1996) it was offered on the Johnson and Evinrude untill about 2000 when all Evinrudes were FFI or 4-stroke and Johnson was 2-stroke.

 

[bschmitty83]

Re: 1997 150HP Johnson

Thanks for the input guys. I have already contacted a reputable mechanic that I know pretty well. He said he'd look it over for me if I choose to proceed. I called the seller and asked for the model #, but I am 99% sure it's a carb model.