15hp Johnson

[Super Sportster]

I bought this a while back from a coworker, he said it wouldn't idle. He had in the shop several times they said there was nothing wrong with it. When I got it, it wouldn't idle just like he said. Like all newer engines (this is an '04) the idle mixture screw was impossible to adjust, special screwdriver and set inside a cup so you couldn't grab it with a pair of pliers. Out came the hacksaw, away went the cup and the mixture screw now has a slot in it so the average guy can make the adjustments as needed. Yesterday it idled perfectly in a tank, in gear for two hrs. I think it's fixed!

As of 6/8/10 it has found a new owner!

[Tim_Mattson]

Dick,
They do that to appease the "EPA gods".......They don`t want to change the emissions they say each motor produces.The smaller the hole the better the fuel economy.....until it won`t draw enough to idle.
You don`t want to run these motors dry for storage,just until they first sputter.
Other makes use a brass plug over the "Pilot screw" ,we get to drill and slide hammer those out when they won`t idle.
Sure beats the $400 carb replacement too.
TM

[Super Sportster]

Tim
I don't even want to get started about the EPA gods. Same thing with my later motorcycles, drill and pop the plugs to get to the mixture screws. $400 for a carb, hell this one had more plastic in it than metal. It's crazy isn't it.

Dick

[Tim_Mattson]

Be glad you don`t ever have to buy 4 of them.....run a Honda 60 hp dry one time and you`ll pay dearly....in just the parts.$1600.00 plus labor will be hard to justify to the wife.
Suzuki did make some of those 4 strokes for OMC BTW.
TM

[Super Sportster]

This one was a 2 stroke. I think I've found another one, same engine just a few years older. Might be a road trip tomorrow!

[Helmar]

Little Johnson.

That is a nice little motor.
My youngest son has one of those on his little fishing boat up at Prinville Oregon.
He has never replaced the pump impeller in it and I told him its time Before he has an issue. Use anti-seize too.

[Tim_Mattson]

2 stroke.....oops.
Water pumps on those can be a mental challenge.
You guys will love finding that shift rod release......hidden behind the water intake screen will be a 2 brass nut/ clamp and small little plastic ring that slips around the shaft,AFTER you get the nut out of the way ,you`ll see it.
The shaft slips thru the water pump on re-assembly.
Still nice motors,the front shifter is cool except for all the plastic.
TimM