Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

[DJ]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

I dont drain and refill oil tanks as part of a "winterization". <br />Who the heck mounts an oil tank out in the rain? Seems to be asking for trouble.<br />

You're asking for trouble by NOT doing that service.<br /><br />There are allot of ways for water to get in those tanks without them being exposed to the elements.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

I agree that the gas we get now is not nearly as good as it used to be. We don't have the reformulated stuff hear but have heard nightmares about it. rodbolt I wanted to make sure that I repeated the statement about if he was supposed to do this and didn't. The only thing that I would blame on a shop is work that should have been done and wasn't. I love the elmer fudd reference and you are right. Some people just know it all. When I run into that I tell them if you know it all why are you asking me about it. If someone uses his boat once or only five times he is asking for trouble. That is why I wondered what kind of use it saw. I was not accusing anyone of anything.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

Lets not jump to conclusions just yet. Bad fuel is only one thing that may have caused the problem. Once he inspects the pistons and other engine components a better judgement can be made. We've seen this same scenario for many years. As boats come out of storage, things happen. But there is a reason bad things happen. There is a cause for every damaged motor. It just has to be found.<br /><br />As gas ages it loses octane. If it was already going bad, as Rodbolt mentioned, adding a stabilizer really doesnt help. It can also gum up in the carbs if the stabilized fuel wasnt run long enough to get into the carbs. <br /><br />The motor could be damaged from the same thing that hurt it before. It could be a new problem. We just have to keep an open mind until we see what the motor looks like as it comes apart.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

yep what dhadley says. I have seen brand new engines mountedonly to fail due to poor rigging, bad oil lines, bad fuel, improper set up. even one thatwas a 20" motormounted on a 25" transom. a careful anlysis is in order. an EFI 4 stroke will tolerate things that a carbed 2 stroke will just roll over and die. <br /> you would not believe how many powerheads I have seen shops replace and never check for the original failure cause. usually if the motor will last its first 10 hours you can rule out mechanical failures or assy problems. the opti-pops,fichts and HPDI are exceptions, especially the 250 and 300 HPDI.

 

[Basscat 1]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

Originally posted by rodbolt:<br /> you would not believe how many powerheads I have seen shops replace and never check for the original failure cause.

Exactly what I was getting at. If you spend $3500.00 for a powerhead to be rebuilt, you want to know why it failed in the first place so as to prevent it from happening again. Or at least I would.

 

[musella]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

I gave up on that engine. I am shopping now for a new one.. and settled on a choice of 2: the 200hp 4 stroke johnson is about the same price as the 200hp 2 stroke mercury optimax. A friend of my brother-in-laws' uncle Elmer tells me that 4 strokes are always better then 2 stroke engines.<br /> But I read through the forums here on the differences between 2 and 4 stroke, and it appears there are pluses and minues to each.. but if these 2 engines are the same price, which would you pick?

 

[angus63]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

That question is like going to a Chevy swap meet and asking people if they prefer Camaros or Mustangs. Remember which forum your in. That being said........definitely the Johnson!!!!!<br />PS If you're buying new, DON'T bypass the chance of a new e-tec<br />Good luck

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

[Ps. Am I the ONLY one who tapes his vents over? [/QB][/quote]<br /><br />Thanks for the tip Robby

 

[musella]

Re: Blown cylinders due to ethanol? Johnson 200)

Just a quick update to end this thread...<br /><br />I would up trading in the boat with the dead engine.. I bought a new Caravelle 23' walkaround with a 5.0L mercruiser stern drive. <br /><br />Thanks for everyone's help!