Johnson 200hp 6Cyl - port side not firing.

[tliddle]

A neighbor recently bought a boat with a 200hp johnson Oceandancer engine. I've been trying to help him figure out what's up with his Johnson 200hp 6cyl...

Frist trip to the water and the motor wouldn't go above 2000 rpm.

Brought it home - checked the carbs and found a missing jet. Replaced that jet - checked and rebuilt others - all is pretty.

Back in the water - only 2k rpm's..

Checked fuel lines and replaced tanks fuel filter.
Replaced all inline fuel filters.
Since boat had been stored not run in more than a year, replaced water pump.
Checked fuel pump - working fine.
Put back in water - 2k rmps again... this is frustrating.

Today checked and found that only 1 side (starbord) is firing. Engine runs great on what we now learn to be only 3 cylinders - but cannot get port side to fire. Has fuel, but no spark.

ODI looks new - but no date.
Any clues?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson 200hp 6Cyl - port side not firing.

motor has 2 power packs one for each side, swap the power packs, if the problem follows the pack, replace it.

if the problem stays in the same place, check the Neutral shift switch. this switch, momentarily, kills one side of the motor when shifting, to ease shifting.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Johnson 200hp 6Cyl - port side not firing.

You don't say what year, so for 1993 and above, this motor only has one power pack. That points to the neutral shift switch as TD says.
It is located on the starboard side, low down on the shifting linkage, lower that the lowest carburetor bowl. You will see the wires for it snaking down from the top of the engine to the switch. One wire will be black/yellow, and the other will be black. For testing, you can disconnect the black/yellow wire at the power pack to eliminate the switch if you want. It comes out of the pack at the top rear starboard side, and has a rubber connector for disconnect.