1996 Johnson 115 needs some work

dippasan · 03-09-2016, 09:42 AM

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 · 03-09-2016, 10:02 AM

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 · 03-09-2016, 10:11 AM

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

moose tracks · 03-10-2016, 08:13 AM

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

BroadHopper · 03-10-2016, 02:40 PM

Third Dave's Motorboat Shop.

MAXUM · 03-11-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 03-20-2016, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

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 · 03-23-2016, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

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 · 03-24-2016, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dippasan

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 · 03-29-2016, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

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 · 03-29-2016, 05:10 PM

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 · 03-29-2016, 05:19 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-1999-EV...VSHiIE&vxp=mtr

03-09-2016, 09:42 AM	#1
dippasan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hooksett NH and Sleepers Isl Posts: 392 Thanks: 288 Thanked 190 Times in 83 Posts	1996 Johnson 115 needs some work 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 __________________ Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity

03-09-2016, 10:02 AM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,762 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,014 Times in 739 Posts	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? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

03-10-2016, 08:13 AM	#4
moose tracks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Loudon, Tennessee, foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains Posts: 283 Thanks: 340 Thanked 41 Times in 33 Posts	Dave's Motorboat Shop I would also recommend Dave's Motorboat Shop for work on outboards. __________________ Moose Tracks

03-10-2016, 02:40 PM	#5
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,582 Thanks: 3,223 Thanked 1,106 Times in 796 Posts	Third Dave's Motorboat Shop. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

The Following User Says Thank You to fatlazyless For This Useful Post:
dippasan (03-09-2016)

03-09-2016, 10:11 AM	#3
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,591 Thanks: 1,628 Thanked 1,641 Times in 844 Posts	Dave's Motorboat Shop?http://www.davesmotorboatshop.com/Me...listId=1497554

03-29-2016, 05:10 PM	#11
DesertDweller Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV and Moultonborough, NH Posts: 380 Thanks: 25 Thanked 87 Times in 73 Posts	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.

03-29-2016, 05:19 PM	#12
DesertDweller Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV and Moultonborough, NH Posts: 380 Thanks: 25 Thanked 87 Times in 73 Posts	http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-1999-EV...VSHiIE&vxp=mtr