1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

[stevie1]

I have a 1999 Johson 200 hp outboard. I'm having a little trouble with the idle in neutral. When i first start it in cold water lower than 50 deg it idles fast and spits, almost like it has water in the gas tank. Does this outboard have a fuel water seperator on this? I put stabilizer in the gas tank this year, the first time i've done that since i've had it, and this is the first year i've had problems.<br /><br />When i run it at half throttle or at wot it runs like a champ.

 

[DJ]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

stevie,<br /><br />Your engine does NOT have a fuel/water seperator as part of the basic engine package. It might not be a bad idea to add one.<br /><br />The engine also has a warm up feature that advances the idle speed to enhance warm up.<br /><br />Perhaps, that is what you are experiencing?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

If its spitting when cold it may be that with time the carburetors are a little dirty in the idle circuit. You may be able to get by for now by richening up the idle screw a little, eventually you may needs the carbs removed and disassembled and cleaned/rebuilt.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

Stevie...<br /><br />Does the engine slow down after a couple minutes at idle speed and after warmed up, will it do the same after setting for a while and then restarted? Let me say that a different way, does it spit at idle when ever started up or just when it's cold? I think jimd may be on the right track about the idle circuits in one or more carbs being dirty.

 

[stevie1]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

OUTBOARD JIM<br /><br />Usually the motor will settle down after the initial warm up phase, after i run across the lake it is fine. I start it up after a couple of hours it will start up fine and i won't have any problems. Last time out i didn't run across the lake, i had it shut off for a couple of hours and when i restarted it, it did the same thing, spit and sputter. It's never done this before.<br /><br />I'm financially strapped right now, if it is a carburator that needs to be cleaned, is there something i can use or do myself to get me by?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

Hi Stevie...<br /><br />Had to run back and find your post again.<br /><br />Let me ask a couple more dumb sounding questions.<br /><br />How long have you had the engine? If for a while, did it always do this or if recently purchased, did you inherit the problem?

 

[stevie1]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

It's pretty amazing how vast this board is and I really appreciate everyones help. <br /><br />To answer your question, i've had the engine since it was brand new and never had this problem before. I talked with a service center and they suggested i look at the thermostats, unfortunately i'm not quite sure if i would recognize them if they were right in front of my face! <br /><br />I have put new plugs in and changed the fuel filter, (maybe some restriction in fuel flow), gonna get out this weekend to see if it helps!

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

I'm not sure you really have a huge problem. If it only does this while its cold. Use the choke a few times until it settles down. If you are strapped for cash and are not comfortable doing the work yourself you can probably put it off till it gets worse which it will do over time. I would try and unsrew the idle mixture screws a 1/4 turn but other than a carb rebuild I don't think you need to do anything.

 

[stevie1]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

jimd,<br />I really hope it is not a big deal. Johnson makes a engine tuner that i'm gonna try to use, has anybody had success with this?<br /><br />Is a carb rebuild common in Johnson motors?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

Carb rebuilds are common on all outboards, inboards also. Its because these engines are not used daily like your car. Inactivity is death to marine equipment. Gas/oil mix sits in there and turns to goop in the jets. Parts corrode and stick shut or open. *hit happens.

 

[stevie1]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

Thanks jimd<br /><br />I will let you know how the boat runs this weekend.

 

[stevie1]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

Ran it today did the same thing as before. I added engine tuner and ran it for about 10 miles at w.o.t. But it still is idling high.<br />Do you think it might be a thermostat going bad?<br />After i started it and let it run for a minute or two, i reached around and felt the water coming out of the engine and it was cold. Isn't this supposed to be warm?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

Hey Stevie...finally found your post again.<br /><br />Read through the whole thing again. I'm really inclined to believe that maybe your sucking a little air someplace causing your poor idle problem when the engine is cold. Look around the carbs and see you notice any lose fasteners or any recirc system hoses that may have popped off. I have on occasion found air leaks by dribbling a little carb/choke cleaner around seams where air leakage is possible. If the engine speeds up a little, you found the leak. I need to verify a couple more things before I post the next couple suggestions. Books are at the shop. She herself won't let me bring them home. Can't have any fun at all.

 

[stevie1]

Re: 1999 johnson 200hp water in tank

OutboardJim<br /><br />If i have an air leak, wouldn't that cause problems when i'm running wot?