Outboard Newbie Help (need guidnace, manuals, oiler, tone, starting)

[jimemd]

Hi,

I just joined the forum, and hoping someone can help me. We just bought a house on the Chesapeake and included was a 1993 Key West 1720 with a 90 hp Johnson V4. I am guessing it is also a 1993 motor.

The boat has some issues. The previous owner stopped using the built in fuel tank and has a portable.

So first question, I have never owned an outboard (currently I have a bow rider with a Volvo Penta and am comfortable working on I/Os). Any suggestions on where to start? I checked the Johnson website, and they only have owners manuals for late model engines. Any idea on where I can get an owners manual for an early 90's engine? Also, where can I get a good service manual? (It appears they lump 1992-2001 engines together into 1 manual)

First problem, there is an auto oiler on the boat, but I have no idea if it works. How can I verify it works? Or should I just mix the oil and gas for the time being?

Second problem, the second I turn the key to on (not cranking), I get a constant tone. Checking around it seems like it could be a horn problem, or an overheat problem.

Third problem, I was able to get the motor started with a lot of cranking and some starter fluid - which coincidentally a can was left in the boat. Also, just an FYI, water was coming out out of motor. To me the boat just needs a major tune up and some TLC. But I have no clue where to start.

I am very handy and like doing my own work, but I am not sure where to begin. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. If anyone knows of a good place for the most general outboard guidance, it would be appreciated.

 

[AlTn]

Re: Outboard Newbie Help (need guidnace, manuals, oiler, tone, starting)

ebay for the owner's and official workshop manuals, or outboardbooks.com as well...starter fluid is hard on 2 strokes as it contains no lubricant and will wash off the oil films...

 

[emoney]

Re: Outboard Newbie Help (need guidnace, manuals, oiler, tone, starting)

If it were me, I'd start with the three basics; compression test, spark test, and fuel system inspection. Assuming that compression and spark are ok, I'd pull the carbs off and clean them thoroughly at the very least. Next thing I'd do is drop the lower unit and change the impeller and the lower unit oil, then I'd move into more than likely changing every fuel hose on the motor, to include the little small ones up on the block. Better to be safe than sorry.

If you did ok working on I/O's you'll do fine on outboards because they're pretty much the same only different, lol. As for the oil injection, if it smokes when you start it up out the exhaust, then it's getting oil in the gas. And, if it's working there's no need to replace it. That constant alarm could be a # of things, like you mentioned, but it could also mean a malfunction in the VRO system (the oil injection). I think on your motor if the oil level indicator went off, then it was a continuous beep. Check to see how much oil is in the tank before all else. Wouldn't hurt, while you're trying to track down the problem to have a little pre-mix fuel standing by. Oh, and I agree about the "spray start in a can"....not so good for this type motor.