How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson

[jbjennings]

I'm curious how one adjusts the timing on a 30hp johnson.
Also, is there a way to disable the rev limiter?

Lastly, this motor will occasionally run on one cylinder. In every case that it does this, the motor will run normally after putting it in reverse and giving it a little throttle no more than 2 times. I have bought a new coil but don't really have any idea which one might be bad. Will have to check the spark when it's fouling up but I suspect it isn't the coil that's the problem.

Thanks ahead for any ideas,
JBJ

 

[noelm]

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson

you will be able to check which plug is not firing by removing them after it has given trouble, the dead one will be wet and fouled, the firing one will be dry (well it should be) and why do you want to remove the rev limiter (if your motor has one)

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson?

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson?

The engine once had trouble hitting the rev limiter every once in a while when I was alone in the boat which was very annoying when I first bought the motor back in 2000. I had to take the boat back 3 times and they never fixed the problem (the first two times they ran it in a hard wind and couldn't get it to go fast enough to see the problem which I said was only occurring at top speed while alone). They said they adjusted the timing a little which supposedly fixed it, but the only permanent fix was that I had to buy a stainless steel prop that was cupped. I should have done that from the beginning but I also feel they should have put the right prop on the motor for the boat before I bought it. No biggie.
However, since I am having to fix the darned thing because I hit a submerged log when running wide open in the marked channel and broke the transom bracket, I'd like to get the motor right while I'm at it. It has the problem with firing on one cylinder. I also notice that every once in a while the motor will run about 3 mph faster and has a lot more power. I believe this has to do with the timing adjustment they made at the dealer a long time ago becuase it's been doing it for years.
I also suspect that when I get the timing right, the motor will go the speed I want and may get slightly into the rev limiter. I know this may be a little high rpm but I don't run that fast very often and just don't like the rev limiter doing that when I do. If I could adjust it maybe 200 rpms higher it would be fine. THe rev limiter is no big deal though, actually, I just want the timing adjusted back right.
Thanks for the help,
JBJ​

 

[ezeke]

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson

The powerpack contains the rev limiter at 6100 RPM. It's up to you to prop the motor to stay below that RPM. There are lots of things that you can adjust, but you cannot adjust that particular powerpack.

When your motor occasionally runs faster it may be because it is running lean which can cause serious engine damage.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson

Thanks Ezeke,
I've never cleaned that carb before and I guess it's due one so I'll give'er a good cleaning. Do you have any idea of how to adjust the timing or do I need to buy the manual.
THanks again,
JBJ​

 

[noelm]

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson

Kind of doubt that the timing is an issue, it is a very stable setting and once set, it would very rarely (if at all) fluctuate to give you more or less RPM or Power, I would be thinking that it is as mentioned, a lean burn, different trim angle, different water conditions or something else giving you the increase or decrease in performance, also remember that the rev limiter is there for a reason, it is not built in to p!ss you off when you want to go faster!

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to adj. timing on '99 30hp johnson

I mainly wanted to check the timing because the dealer said they changed it at one time from the factory setting. Turning off the rev limiter is not that big of a priority for me.
later,
JBJ