Reed Valves on a 1983 15 Hp Johnson

[Richard Dahl]

I'm in the process of dismantling the Non-starting motor to check the cylinders and pistons due to very low compression. I found a slight gap, about1/32 between the reed petals and the reed plate. Question : Should I replace these valves? Also would this condition cause some of the low compression problem?

 

[JB]

Re: Reed Valves on a 1983 15 Hp Johnson

Howdy, Richard. No, reeds will not affect cylinder compression, but if they are standing open, even 1/32, you are losing a small amount of power.<br /><br />If the reeds are screw-mounted you can usually flip them over after resurfacing them and the plate on some #600 oiled wetordry paper on a flat surface. If they are riveted or the plate surface is eroded, replace the plate.<br /><br />Good luck and let us know what happens.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . .<br />JB

 

[kenthrussell]

Re: Reed Valves on a 1983 15 Hp Johnson

hi i would never turn a reed valve over and use it as you will be stessing it in the opposite direction and the possibilty of it breaking and being sucked in to the crank case are greater and then you will be in for big bucks......the allowable limit for the gap on a reed valve is 20 thou .check it with a feeler gauge.....also if you replace any petals retorque to 25 inch pounds and i always use loctite on the threads of the screws.....hope this helps