need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

[robc]

our port 1991 Johnson 200 engine froze due to a seized piston. Our mechanic told us it needs a new powerhead, haul out, and replace. The question we have: if we put out the money to fix this ($7500) how do you know where to look to make sure it doesnt happen again with the new powerhead. Also is that particular engine worth fixing or should we just buy a new engine for the money?<br />Thanks<br />robc<br />

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

Keep in mind a new motor will be $12,000 plus, having said that, I would not put $7500.00 into a rebuild...which sounds high. I would look for a used motor or would buy a new one. What is the boat worth? Maybe, trade it in, as is, and get a new rig. Not a pleasent problem!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

What in the world are you replacing for $7500.00? How does he know it can't be rebuilt if it only stuck a piston?<br /><br />You are correct....he needs to determine the cause of the piston damage to prevent a repeat. This is the number one cause of repeat failures. Remember -- the scuffed piston is a result, not the cause.<br /><br />When in doubt....get a second opinion!

 

[robc]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

thanks for the comeback...<br />the boat is a grady 25' 1991. The powerhead will be $4500+ and labor on top of it. Any expertise we had was on an inboard we had before this with a 318 Chrysler 8cyl. that we did work on ourselves. we know next to nothing about outboards however. we have put a fair amount of money into these engines already, (new head gaskets) tuneups. since we bought the boat 4yrs ago. we are trying to decide how to proceed...rebuild it ourselves in the offseason, pay our mechanic to do it next week, buy a whole new engine. Most of all, find out why it happened. Do these engines have any problems in general?<br />Thanks<br />Robc

 

[wilde1j]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

This website has rebuilt V6's for ~$2100 to 4000. Of course some labor is required to install and set up, but that shouldn't be more than 6 hours or so. In any case, a lot less than $7500 you were quoted.

 

[almost retired again]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

Hi ROBC,<br />I agree with what Dhadley said. To answer your question about the engine though, I think that the 200 h.p. Johnson/Evinrude in those years was a very reliable engine.<br />If you have worked on the past inboards, an outboard should be a piece of cake. I don't think that I would attempt a rebuild, or exchanging a rebuilt powerhead though without a service manual.<br />I would think a long time before I would pay someone to rebuild it for $7500. Look at some of the rebuilder websites for prices I'm sure that you can do a lot better than that. One that I have bought powerheads from before is Golden Precision Marine in Eagle Rock Mo. The owner also puts on a class for mechanics at the Mid-west boating extravaganza in OK. each year. These classes count for part of the mechanics MIC certification.<br />Whatever you decide keep in mind what Dhadley said" the stuck piston is the problem, not the cause", The problem could be caused by several things. Some examples are, no oil or not enough, an overheat, broke ring, wrong timing, and the list goes on, but with a good service manual you should be able to do the job.<br />Just my thoughts

 

[Dhadley]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

You can lose nothing but a few hours of your time to tear it down. To know where you are going, you have to first know where you are at. If the crank is good and the block is boreable, it can be done very reasonably. If its fixable and you dont feel comfortable doing it or having that guy do it (wouldnt blame you there) you can have it sent to Don at Golden Precision or to Flagship. They have programs to rebuild existing engines. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[robc]

Re: need advice: Johnson 200 frozen

Thanks gentlemen: this is really good advice. I would assume you need to pull the boat out of water to do that kind of work just to play it safe?<br />I am going to check out those sites for powerheads and talk it over with my brothers to do it ourselves<br />robc