Johnson 88 hp

[jcarr]

looking at buying a boat with a johnson 88 hp outboard on it, 1987 model i think. anyone got any info on this motor good or bad. i've never heard of a 88 hp johnson before today.

thanks in advance for any info that helps or just opinions.

 

[Ironsides]

gone...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson 88 hp

it is a 90 hp without all the bells and whistles, you have to premix you oil and gas 50:1.
properly maintained it is almost bullet proof. great motor, i have had several.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Johnson 88 hp

These are solid engines. Each is as good as the maintenance which the prior owner kept up with. Make sure the engine runs and has good compression on all 4 cyls, the telltale pumps good water. Also, make sure there is no water in the lower unit gearcase. This unit was probably made without power trim-a nice feature on these engines.

 

[jcarr]

Re: Johnson 88 hp

thanks for the replies guys and as to mixing the fuel, well i'd rather mix my fuel myself. i've never really liked the oil injected thing, to much to go wrong and more costly to repair.

unit i'm looking at buying has not been run in a couple of years but has great compression and the boat shop that has it rebuilt the lower unit before it went in to storage. they want to sell as is where is due to it having sat so long and they don't want to put any more money into it. they did say that they would pull it into the shop and let me run a compression test and try to start it, but they thought the carbs would likely need cleaned.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Johnson 88 hp

You may not need to clean/overhaul the carbs. Depends on how the engine was put away for long term storage. If it was just laid up, with nothing done to it, then yes, I'd get into the cargs to check for dried fuel in the carb passages. If the engine was run out of fuel as it was fogged, it is possible the carb insides are clean and it may start right up and run fine. If you or the dealership are uncertain as to how the engine was prepped for storage, you are best to get into the carbs. You don't want to run the engine lean due to debris/restrictions in the carb fuel passages.