View Thread
Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.

1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260
3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.

 Print Thread
Engine lacking power
Jacksmorto3747
#1 Print Post
Posted on 07/05/20 - 9:19 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

I have an old 1987 or 1988 90 hp Johnson that gets my 1987 Montauk [to] 31 mph.

At 25 mph I’m 8.5 gph. This seems very off for this engine.

Is there something I can fix?

[edit for typo, model year]


Edited by Phil T on 07/05/20 - 9:25 AM
 
Phil T
#2 Print Post
Posted on 07/05/20 - 9:27 AM
User Avatar
Administrator
Personal Page
Personal Album
Project Albums

Posts: 7043
Comments: 6
Joined: 03/26/05

Jack -

Is 31 mph wide-open-throttle (WOT) or just a cruising speed?

How are you measuring speed?
At what RPM are you at when you reach the stated 25 mph?

How are you measuring GPH?


1992 Outrage 17 I
2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+
2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
 
Jacksmorto3747
#3 Print Post
Posted on 07/05/20 - 9:40 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

31 wot
25 is an arbitrary curing speed.

Gps is my method.

Gph is calculated with gas usage

Tack is broken.
I installed a new tack that popped fuses.

While it was working it maxed out at 4200-4500

 
Phil T
#4 Print Post
Posted on 07/05/20 - 1:12 PM
User Avatar
Administrator
Personal Page
Personal Album
Project Albums

Posts: 7043
Comments: 6
Joined: 03/26/05

It reads as you have several issues, the least of which is GPH.

Do a compression check on the engine. The engine is running 1000 rpm's less than it should at WOT.

A typical 90hp 2 stroke on a classic Montauk 17, mounted a few holes up, decent stainless steel prop with a light load should hit 42-46.

Did it ever run 5500 WOT?

Install a new tach and re-test.

Report back.


Edited by Phil T on 07/05/20 - 1:23 PM
1992 Outrage 17 I
2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+
2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
 
Jacksmorto3747
#5 Print Post
Posted on 07/05/20 - 8:00 PM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Can’t fix tac for a while. Compression was tested recently.
Could this be a build up of some sort or a bad plug. I want to start off with easier forms of trouble shooting.
Thanks for all you help.

 
Jacksmorto3747
#6 Print Post
Posted on 07/05/20 - 8:03 PM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Got her to 35-36 today by the way.

 
Phil T
#7 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 7:24 AM
User Avatar
Administrator
Personal Page
Personal Album
Project Albums

Posts: 7043
Comments: 6
Joined: 03/26/05

Detailed information is needed to provide you with specific items to check or proceedures to do.

What were the compression numbers for each cylinder?

Has this engine been run much this season, if so, how many hours.
Was it winterized last winter.
Is the fuel new/fresh or stabilized from last year?
Do you have a water separator on the boat?
Are you mixing 50:1 gas to oil or using the auto oiling feature?
Spark plugs less than 5 years old?
Thermostats changed in the last 5 years?

Does the boat have bottom paint?
What is the make/model and size of the prop?

At what height is the engine mounted on the transom? If you look at the top bolt through the engine bracket how many, if any empty bolt holes are above the bolt?

What is the typical load of people, fuel and gear on the boat to reach 36 in lbs.



1992 Outrage 17 I
2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+
2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
 
Jacksmorto3747
#8 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 7:55 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Prop should be stock

Spark plugs way less than 5y

A mechanic took care of it past 2 years

Yes I have bottom paint

Engine position unknown will measure

Compression was only confirmed by mechanic.

Weight was 300 lb passengers 55 lb battery
10 gal gas.

60 lb ice
485lb

I Believe the hull is1350 pounds I don’t know if that includes The rps bench seat

 
Jacksmorto3747
#9 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 7:57 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Using separate oil Reservoir I have noticed a 50:1 mix

 
Jacksmorto3747
#10 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 8:03 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

-I put about 250 miles on. She runs great Besides the issues mentioned.
-Hours unknown
sorry for so many replies.

 
Phil T
#11 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 9:50 AM
User Avatar
Administrator
Personal Page
Personal Album
Project Albums

Posts: 7043
Comments: 6
Joined: 03/26/05

Two stroke engines are not as efficient as 4 stroke motors. Idle and slow speed are especially poor.

Without knowing the precise amount of minutes at each RPM, there is no way to know if the gallons-per-hour is outside of the expected.

Many owners look at the total distance traveled and how many gallons used and use that average. If you have long no-wake zones, idling while fishing that will increase your average.

The sweet spot for speed/gph for most 17-19' boats is somewhere around ~4k rpms. Running averages for most 2 stroke owners with a Montauk or 16' is in the 8-10gph range but that includes periods of time running at 35+mph.


1992 Outrage 17 I
2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+
2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
 
Jacksmorto3747
#12 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 10:52 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Il look into everything You said.
Im looking to replace all the wiring so I can get my tac going ect.
Do you have any suggestions or the original schematic. I see you own the same boat.
Thx

 
biggiefl
#13 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 11:51 AM
Member

Posts: 890
Comments: 4
Joined: 05/08/06

Many times with OMC engines, the tach will not work if the voltage rectifier went bad. You will know this as the old one would work sporatically and then finally quit and the charging rate is very high like 16v+ That engine running well willl burn about 6gph at cruise. and around 9 at WOT. Not possible to be burning 8.5 at part throttle.


24 Whalers so far....
 
Jacksmorto3747
#14 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 12:07 PM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Yes I charge at 15
It should be 13.8
Where is this part.
What is the model number.
Thx

 
Jacksmorto3747
#15 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 3:30 PM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

“J90TLAK produced in February of 1994”
Brp just I identified my engine as stated above.
Thx for everyone’s help what an amazing community.

 
acassidy
#16 Print Post
Posted on 07/06/20 - 10:17 PM
User Avatar
Member
Personal Page

Posts: 268
Comments: 1
Joined: 11/21/05

I owned a 1978 Montauk with a 1990 90 Evinrude and that motor was a beast on that boat. Top speed was 45 mph easily and cruise in the 30s easily. Prop was a 17" Stainless. Something is wrong with your motor.

Things that could the culprit. Wrong prop. What prop are you spinning. Loss of compression in motor. Do a compression check. Replace plugs if you have not done so. Clogged fuel filters. Carburetors not set up correctly. Carb leakage not set up correctly. Throttle cable not setup correctly. WOT stop adjusted incorrectly. Not firing on all cylinders. Run a sparks tester. Missing while running would explain high fuel use while running low speeds. Bad spark plug boots. Bad spark plug wirings.

These are all simple things you can do and check to get that motor running like it should. Beware that running that motor with lean fuel in a cylinder means lean oil too and will burn the motor up. Weak spark will foul plug and make it miss even more. How do your plugs look. Is there one that look different and looks oily.
Good luck
Archie



 
Jacksmorto3747
#17 Print Post
Posted on 07/07/20 - 4:45 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

Will check plugs and carburetor.
Wouldn’t small prop cause high rpm.
Jack,

 
acassidy
#18 Print Post
Posted on 07/07/20 - 6:41 AM
User Avatar
Member
Personal Page

Posts: 268
Comments: 1
Joined: 11/21/05

Yes a low pitch will cause high RPMs and increasing pitch will bring RPMs down.

 
Jacksmorto3747
#19 Print Post
Posted on 07/07/20 - 9:39 AM
Member

Posts: 26
Comments: 0
Joined: 06/18/20

My comprehension in the past year or so
Was tested at 140,140,135,130

 
Jump to Forum:
Bookmark and Share
Today's Date & Time
November 24, 2024 - 7:10 PM
Visit our Sponsors
Specialty Marine - Parts and Accessories


Wm. J. Mills and Co. - Boston Whaler Canvas


Nauset Marine - Whaler Parts and Accessories


Carver Covers - The Best Covers Under The Sun



Click on logo to visit site
View all Sponsors Here
Users Online
Welcome
AuntiesMontauk
as the newest member

· Guests Online: 4
· Members Online: 0
· Total Members: 50,390
Login
Username

Password

Remember Me


Not a member yet?
Click here to register.

Forgotten your password?
Request a new one here.
Top 5 Models Posted
· Montauk 17 1,638
· Sport 13 1,366
· Outrage 18 556
· Nauset 16 402
· Sport 15 365

View all Models Here
Render time: 0.18 seconds Copyright WhalerCentral.com © 2003-2024 86,555,093 unique visits