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1994 Johnson 150 Oceanrunner - cuts and sputters at 3800 rpm
I have a 1994 Outrage [19] with a 1994 Johnson 150 V6 Oceanrunner. I've had the boat for 25 years. It runs like a dream - starts right up every time, comes to idle in about a minute, planes out nicely and cruises best at 26 mph and about 3,200 rpm. Last week I was out with friends and someone said "open 'er up!", which I did. Much to my surprise she did not like it and started to cut, skip, clink, whatever. I rarely have opened her up this year and was shocked when it happened. It has always turned a max of about 4,600 and about 38 mph at WOT running a 14.5 x 19 aluminum prop. When I backed off the throttle everything was fine, and I've been out a couple of times since and it continues to run just fine under 3,800rpm
Today I changed the plugs, fuel-water separator, and threw some Startron in the tank (I always use non-ethanol fuel). It made no difference and everything is the same - it just runs shitty and doesn't take WOT or anything above about 3,800rpm.
Recent history: Early 2017 troubles solved by a carb kit service (carbs had never been touched). Late 2017 I had fuel pump trouble and got a new VRO (replacing the original). The boat ran 100% great all of 2018 and all of 2019 up until now.
Fuel or electronics? Any thoughts out there?
Edited by Phil T on 09/12/19 - 9:35 AM
Pat Fleming
Could be the OIS system, could be a lot of things. The one thing for sure is you have the wrong prop. You need to be about 1000rpms higher. What size boat? If a 17' Outrage it should be running around 50 as my friend has one with the same motor.
