Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: What should I look for? Badly overheated Johnson 35.
Posted by surfshark on 05/19/11 - 5:40 PM
#1
I really fried the 1981 Johnson 35 a couple of weeks ago. The water intake screen was so old and brittle (motor had been sitting for many years and I had changed the water pump) that it broke off on both sides and apparently the plastic went up into the water pump and destroyed it. We were already overheated, but so stranded at dusk, that we just kept running it to get closer to home (long story). It ran for awhile and then shut off and would not restart. I could turn the crankshaft with my index finger the compression was so low (after it cooled off- the motor would turn with the electric starter still but not crank). It was sizzling and even melted the lower coil's plastic base to the cylinder head.
I removed the head tonight and I'm wondering what can I look for to identify any damage. There is some scoring on part of the upper cylinder that I can see and feel pretty well with my fingernail. I'm not sure what to look for if the cylinder gasket is blown. I plan to buy a new motor soon, but would like to get this one running if it's just a cylinder gasket. Thanks as always for any advice. The motor was starting and running great before this mishap. Lee
Posted by CES on 05/19/11 - 7:37 PM
#2
Use it as an anchor.
Posted by Tom W Clark on 05/20/11 - 7:19 AM
#3
You now have a wonderful opportunity to upgrade the power on your Whaler.
Posted by ioptfm on 05/20/11 - 8:04 AM
#4
Sounds like you've got a mess on your hands. Look carefully first of all and see if you can see any obvious cracks in the cylinder walls, casings, etc.
Posted by Bake on 05/20/11 - 8:39 AM
#5
The question you pose is what should you look for. My first thought is, a newer motor. Not to say you cant fix what you have, but you will likely put more into it than you could buy a newer motor for.
Posted by whalerman on 05/20/11 - 10:56 AM
#6
Put it on Ebay and get what you can for it and put the proceeds tward a newer one.
Posted by John Fyke on 05/20/11 - 3:53 PM
#7
I wouldn't put any money into that motor.
Posted by surfshark on 05/20/11 - 6:14 PM
#8
Thanks everyone- I'm actually looking at a jon boat with a 2005 Mercury 25EL 2 stroke tomorrow. Think I'll buy the whole package ($2500) and use the steering, cables, motor from the jb for the Whaler and sell the jb or fix it up later. Would like to have a decent beater jon boat to scrape over the oyster shells!
Any advice on the 2005 Mercury 25EL 2 stroke? Thanks again! Lee
Posted by CES on 05/20/11 - 6:22 PM
#9
You can pick up a nice 2 stroke 40 HP for less than $2,500
Posted by John Fyke on 05/21/11 - 9:07 AM
#10
surfshark wrote:
Thanks everyone- I'm actually looking at a jon boat with a 2005 Mercury 25EL 2 stroke tomorrow. Think I'll buy the whole package ($2500) and use the steering, cables, motor from the jb for the Whaler and sell the jb or fix it up later. Would like to have a decent beater jon boat to scrape over the oyster shells!
Any advice on the 2005 Mercury 25EL 2 stroke? Thanks again! Lee
Sounds like a plan. Better than scraping your whaler over the oyster shells.