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Random Quote: I had a few words with my wife, she had a few paragraphs with me.
Looking at a used boat. The boat is a 2003 with a 1998 Johnson 115. The motor was a left over that was installed last year on the boat when the buyer bought it. The dealer had got a good deal on a bunch of leftovers so the motor was brand new when installed.
Any comments on the 98 Johnson's would be appreciated. I think this is around the time Johnson was having some problems so I dont know what happened with there products at this time.
Did a search and came up empty handed. Any input would be greatly apprciated. I am seriously considering buying the boat. I love the boat just not sure about the motor.
Those small*V4's from Johnson have a great reputation, you rarely hear of any problems.* If it was brand new when installed then you should have a pretty good motor.*
I have a 1998 Evinrude that has been very reliable. The only mechanical problem it's had has been a bad power pack, and that was after five years and many hours of service.
Thanks for input...Sounds like the motor should be ok.
I was just infomed by the seller that its a SPL series. From what I understand, it doesnt have oil injection. You mix the oil with the gas.
I think the good thing is that its less to go wrong and you dont loss space by mounting the oil reservoir. But, the bad thing is that its messy and a pain to mix the oil every time getting gas and I think when trolling they're more likely to foul out the plugs. Also, if I remember correctly you can expect alot more smoke from these engines.
Any comments?????
That carbed Johnson spl motor should give you many years of trouble free operation. Mixing the oil and gas is not that bad but it is one more step you have to think of. Good thing about oil injection, in case you forget to top it off most systems (at least mine does) have an alarm for low oil in the reserve tank. No alarms if you forget to mix your oil and gas, just a blown motor. That motor will smoke plenty but mostly when you are cranking it up cold. It really should not have a problem fouling plugs no matter how much you troll as long as you use a high quality oil.
__________________ Sea Hunt Triton 200- 130 Johnson
I have that same motor. Yes, you have to mix the oil and gas. It is not a problem if you get the container that has the scale on the side for the amount of oil for number of gallions of gas. I have never had a problem with plugs. I used it 3 years and never took it to a shop, did all the preventive maintance myself. At the end of last season I did take it to the shop for a lower unit seal kit, impeller and thermostat change. The motor has never let me down.
You getting a Maycraft?
Thanks for the input....
rcs1039....No Maycraft....Actually its on a Sea Hunt.....
Seller needs to come down on his price a little though,,,I think its a little high...I think the price would be in line if it had a 2003 motor on it. Even though the motor is new I think it being a 1998 would be a drawback.
Thanks again,
Joe
The block design for this engine has been around for 30+ years...99.6CID...depending on what year, OMC would change the carbs and sell these engines as 85, 88 (SPL), 90, 100, 100 Javelin, 110, 115, 125 135 and 140. The only major change to these engines over the years was the addition of the "pee hole" starting in about 1977 and the change from external to internal trim/tilt systems. VRO was added in the early 80s.
These motors were indestructible...have been around several...they just need fuel and oil. The only recurring problem on these was the regulator/rectifiers...when they go the engine either runs on 2 of the 4 cylinders or not at all. Not an easy part to replace (you have to pull the flywheel) and not particularly cheap, either.
Thanks y'all for the input...
Unfortunatly, I dont know where the boat came from so I dont know if there are any more of these engines available.
I made a offer on the boat. But, unfortunatly the seller rejected the offer. Hopefully, He will contact me in the future and we can negotiate what would be a fair price for me and the seller. If not, I'm sure something else will pop up.
1998 Johnson 115 
