1998 115 Johnson

[george3819]

I recently aquired a '98 115hp Johnson and was told that the crankshaft is broken. The mechanic's solution is to replace the powerhead with a remanufactured powerhead. I am an avid shade tree mechanic and wanted to know would it be wise to let hm do it or for me to do it myself.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

WELCOME TO IBOATS!<br /><br />This is a project you could do yourself. First thing you need to do is purchase a manual from iboats. The manual will guide you through everything you need to know. Then we can help you with any questions you have.

 

[george3819]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

So this repair is not very involved and would be cheaper for me to do myself.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Oh it will be involved, you will need have a place to lay the parts out on, which is away from the kids/wife. But it will certainly be cheaper.

 

[Walker]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Are you talking doing a rebuild or just swapping powerheads. Neither are particularly difficult. If you do have a broken crank I suspect you will find collateral damage when you open the cases up.

 

[george3819]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Walker what type of collateral damage do you mean. Would this damage cause more headache than the engine is worth as is.

 

[Walker]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

You could easily have bent rods or block damage. Block damage would put you out of business with that motor. You'll have to tear it down to see what you are dealing with.<br />I gotta tell you, I've been working on these things for over 20 years and I've never seen a broken crank in one.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

No real way of knowing without opening up the block Georgeau. Mostly depends on where the break is and if any of the rods swung free. Are we sure the crank is broke?<br /><br />And I would have to disagree (respectfully) with the Sloopster on the choice of service manuals. Get the OEM manual. They are still available from your local dealership.<br /><br />You get more specific info about your specific engine than you would in a generic manual. Plus step by step instructions on taking the block apart and reasembling it. A parts manual would'nt hurt either.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Originally posted by OBJ:<br />And I would have to disagree with the Sloopster

Ouch...<br /><br />I use a combination of manuals, some OEM and some clymer (sp) I have never notice any differences. But then again I only have four manuals.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

OOPs'....beat me to it Walker....

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

But I did say respectfully......

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

I was just joking around. goodnight guys...

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Nite Sloopy....have a good day tomorrow.....

 

[george3819]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Walker the original diagnosis on the engine was done by a mechanic with out tearing the engine down. All I was told was that the original owner hit a stump which caused the propeller to stop and break the crak shaft. I talked to friend of mine who told that there should be some sort of shear pin that breaks before the crank shaft should. What does it sound like to you.

 

[Walker]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

There are a lot of parts between the prop and the crankshaft that should break before the crankshaft would. Drop the lower unit and then check the powerhead.

 

[george3819]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

What would be a decent price for a mechanic to replace the powerhead and replace the seals in the lower unit?

 

[Walker]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

People hit logs, stumps and rocks all the time. The prop hub is supposed to protect the drive train but sometimes it doesn't. You might get a broken clutch dog, or broken driveshaft, but I'd bet your crankshaft/powerhead is fine. Drop the lower unit and then check the powerhead.

 

[george3819]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

Walker I got a guy who is working on it for me on the side. He is the one who said the crankshaft was broken. He told me it would cost $350 just to pull it open and see what was wrong.<br />The more I find aout about the worse off I think I am.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

I bought a van once for $600.00, the owner said it needed new heads but it had only 67,000 miles on it. A weekend and a new cam later it ran like a champ, kept it for two years and sold it for 1800.00.<br /><br />It sounds like you've got some shade tree skills. Put em to use. Pull that baby apart and see what makes it purr. You may be suprised, it could be somthing really simple. And hopefully cheap!<br /><br />25 cents please <br /><br />Richard

 

[GatorMike]

Re: 1998 115 Johnson

A little over 2 years ago I bought one of those. A friend had a 99 Wellcraft with the same exact engine a 98 115 with a bad cylendar. He tried to trade it in on a new boat and the salesman got quite upset with him when his mechanic checked it out. The salesman was soo mad he offered him $2000 on a trade in. The book value on the boat was $14000 at the time. I jokingly told my friend not to let that guy have it for $2000 I'd give him $2500, I was shocked when he said sold and I was in the engine rebuilding business. Go ahead and do it that engine is a piece of cake. If I can fix one anybody can.