1996 Johnson 115 needs some work

[dippasan]

Can any of you recommend a good outboard mechanic that might be willing to freshen up the top end of a 1996 Johnson 115? I don't think one of the larger shops will take it on as they want to sell me a new one. I was thinking there might be someone looking for some side work.

The motor runs but has low compression all around and weak power. I'd love for someone to do pistons and rings in it so we can get a few more years out of it instead of having to drop $12,000 on a new one.

Thanks in advance for your replies

[fatlazyless]

If you look through craigslist-nh boats and boat parts there's ads looking for service work .... do a search for 'marine service' or 'marine technician' or 'certified technician'.


Could be a marina employed service tech looking for a side work job?

[VitaBene]

Dave's Motorboat Shop?http://www.davesmotorboatshop.com/Menus?id=1497554&listId=1497554

[moose tracks]

I would also recommend Dave's Motorboat Shop for work on outboards.

[BroadHopper]

Third Dave's Motorboat Shop.

[MAXUM]

Can any of you recommend a good outboard mechanic that might be willing to freshen up the top end of a 1996 Johnson 115? I don't think one of the larger shops will take it on as they want to sell me a new one. I was thinking there might be someone looking for some side work.

The motor runs but has low compression all around and weak power. I'd love for someone to do pistons and rings in it so we can get a few more years out of it instead of having to drop $12,000 on a new one.

Thanks in advance for your replies

The problem is if you have low compression it may need more than just new pistons and rings. You won't know for sure till the engine is apart although scoping the cylinders may reveal possible scoring on the cylinder walls. Machine work if required will increase the repair cost considerably maybe even to the point of exceeding the value of the motor. Tough call new is a big expense and certainly more money than doing a total rebuild on what you already have. Could always look for a used one, that may be the best bang for the buck.

[Dave R]

The problem is if you have low compression it may need more than just new pistons and rings.

It's a two stroke. There really is nothing else besides pistons and rings that will give it low compression. Only takes a few minutes to pull the heads on those and have a look. Pistons and rings only cost 89 bucks per cylinder on those motors. I think boring and honing is around 60-75 bucks per cylinder.

Wish I had time, I'd enjoy doing that job...

[dippasan]

It's a two stroke. There really is nothing else besides pistons and rings that will give it low compression. Only takes a few minutes to pull the heads on those and have a look. Pistons and rings only cost 89 bucks per cylinder on those motors. I think boring and honing is around 60-75 bucks per cylinder.

Wish I had time, I'd enjoy doing that job...

My thoughts exactly. I can twist a wrench with the best of 'em but it's all about the time needed to do the work.

[Dave R]

My thoughts exactly. I can twist a wrench with the best of 'em but it's all about the time needed to do the work.

You can get a rebuilt power head and swap it in in an afternoon. Those V4s are pretty easy to work on except that darn shift shaft...

[dippasan]

You can get a rebuilt power head and swap it in in an afternoon. Those V4s are pretty easy to work on except that darn shift shaft...

Hmmmmm
Interesting idea. Where do you locate a rebuilt powerhead? eBay? Local?

Thanks

[DesertDweller]

Do a quick Google search are there are a lot of options. Ebay for sure. Might want to check local dealers as well. We traded our old V4 90 Evinrude in a few years back and the dealer we bought from rebuilds them and then sells them and/or parts them out depending on the condition. My guess is a lot of dealers do that.

[DesertDweller]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-1999-EVINRUDE-JOHNSON-REBUILT-OUTBOARD-POWERHEAD-V4-90-or-115-/111736921765?hash=item1a040a1ea5:g:5uMAAOxyvuVSHiI E&vxp=mtr