OMC tech: No power, another rookie without a clue!

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 09:33 AM

Finally pulled the cover off the old boat after 3-4 years and got her cleaned up... flushed the fuel tank, replaced the fuel lines coming from the tank, new primer bulb, cleaned/rebuilt the carbs. Put in a new battery and she fired right up, shuttered a bit but then seemed to clear up and sounded great! But when taking her to the lake I couldn't get her to plane out, it started to wind up but was definitely not the holeshot I was used to. It started to act as if it were running lean. So I throttled down and shut it off. Checked fuel bulb and it was still firm. After a few minutes I fired it back up (starts instantly) tried to run again and but then wouldn't get above 2500rpms.... no buzzers or alarms, (VRO deleted years ago).
decided to at least use the trolling motor and enjoy the water time! After getting back to the dock I disconnected the temp sensors on both heads to see if they were bad, still not able to get over 2500.
motor is a 93(ish) Johnson 200 venom. Power head replaced a few years ago (built by Gary, "Instigator") motor ran without issues when put away for a couple years. Could my electrical components have gone bad from the heat sitting in the sun under a cover? I had a similar issue years ago and the stator was the problem.
Oh almost forgot! My tach seemed a bit erratic when motoring out of the no wake zone. I didn't think much of it at the time, figured the gauge itself might be bad from moisture/condensation?
I don't have a good multi-meter, probably need to get one! Any tips on where to start?

Sent from my iPhone

**roadkill636** · 05-15-2017, 09:57 AM

Sitting that long... clogged carb bowls-jets

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 10:27 AM

Before I even tried to start it I pulled all 6 carbs and soaked, scrubbed, blew out with carb cleaner and compressed air, cleaned all the orafaces with a thin wire, then reassembled. I didn't pull the high and low jets at least that's what inassume they are? The two that are on the face of the carbs? In believe to adjust air fuel mix for low and high rpm? I didn't want to risk not setting them correctly and running lean. But did force cleaner and air through them so they were flowing freely.

**roadkill636** · 05-15-2017, 11:17 AM

Main jets are inside

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 12:30 PM

The one behind the float bowl drain plugs? Cleaned those too.

**roadkill636** · 05-15-2017, 12:47 PM

It looks like this

**roadkill636** · 05-15-2017, 12:57 PM

Will the spark jump 1/2"?

**roadkill636** · 05-15-2017, 01:02 PM

Mite sound a bit way out there. But could there be a whole bunch of water in the boat? Iv had it happen. Couldnt get on plane and low rpms and turns out even tho i had my drain plug removed the wbole time on the trailer it was clogged up with debri from the hull and had maybee 100 gallons of water under the floor in the hull that was keeping the boat down.

Sounds stupid but i seen it for myself.

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 02:02 PM

Haven't tested spark yet, brought the boat home and had to deal with "Mothers Day" stuff.
When I tore apart the carbs I pulled and cleaned #15, and #11 for float bowl needle and seat. I didn't remove or turn #12 or 14, but cleaned them with fluid and air.
theres no water in the boat, I have seen that happen myself tho!

**phillnjack** · 05-15-2017, 03:33 PM

cleaned and run a rod through all the fuel pipes, checked the fuel pump itself for debris inside it ?

if its not going over 2500 rpm sounds like the S.L.O.W function is kicking in, ...

or the fast side of carbs is dirty ( doubt its that) .c

something could also be is a broken stator wire under the flywheel, very common on 1990's omc triples ( I dont know about the bigger motors.)

when I had similar problem it was broken stator wires, once fixed those it was straight back to normal.

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by phillnjack

cleaned and run a rod through all the fuel pipes, checked the fuel pump itself for debris inside it ?

if its not going over 2500 rpm sounds like the S.L.O.W function is kicking in, ...

or the fast side of carbs is dirty ( doubt its that) .c

something could also be is a broken stator wire under the flywheel, very common on 1990's omc triples ( I dont know about the bigger motors.)

when I had similar problem it was broken stator wires, once fixed those it was straight back to normal.

I ran some wire through the fuel tubes along with carb cleaner and compressed air through the tubes drop into the float bowl I did it until carb cleaner flowed through them freely when sprayed from the top side of the jets. I haven't torn the fuel pump down yet, guess that's next! Praying it doesn't need part! Those things aren't cheap! May have a spare?
I don't have a multi-meter to test the stator yet... wouldna cheap harbor freight meter work well enough to diagnose the stator? Hate to spend $100+ for some time use tool for me.

**NeedOne** · 05-15-2017, 04:43 PM

Interested to hear what you find on this, we are in the same... boat.
Different motor but same condition.
I'll let you know if/when I figure mine out.

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by NeedOne

Interested to hear what you find on this, we are in the same... boat.
Different motor but same condition.
I'll let you know if/when I figure mine out.

I'll be sure and post what I do and what the results are! Haven't been on S&F for a few years now, but it's a great bunch of guys always willing to help and share their knowledge! When I first picked up this boat it was a total basket case! Lol from the tips and stuff I learned here it became a great fishing platform that hauled ass!

**racer** · 05-15-2017, 05:56 PM

Is the engine shaking at 2500 or is it smooth? Shaking it is in slow, smooth might be the shift switch thus running on 3 cylinders when in gear.

**93hydrasport** · 05-15-2017, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by racer

Is the engine shaking at 2500 or is it smooth? Shaking it is in slow, smooth might be the shift switch thus running on 3 cylinders when in gear.

It's not super smooth, my gps shakes and there is some vibration I could feel holding the wheel. Now that you mention it, it did come out of gear harder than normal? I think I was more listening to the carbs sucking air and the sound it made. Sort of the same I would do when pulling the holeshot before working the trim to launch and get on plane.