Bob & Bubba, I took my "94" Johnson 40 to the shop today for its first real checkup since I bought it last April. It ran fine last summer, just gettin it tuned and checked out for this year. I told them to : Rebuild, syncronise, and tune the carbs Check the timing, change the plugs Check the electrical system Change the thermostsat Check the fuel pump Change the water pump Change lower unit lube Is there anything else I should have them check while its in the shop?
I guess preventative maintenance is wise, but I have run motors for years and years and years and years just changin' the grease in the foot each year. If your '94 motor was running so good last summer, it would probably serve you well another 10 years. Maybe if it has seen a LOT of salt water it would be different. I've had nothing but good luck all my life with Johnson/Evinrude products. I say if it ain't broke, don't be messin' with it. Just my humble opinion, but I am a cheapskate due to financial constraints. Bill in SC
Barry, your doing just fine with a preventive maintenance program. Keep it up if you can, and you won't have to depend on luck, or someone elses opinion.
Thanks Bob & Willard. I've been either a truck/heavy equip. mechanic, auto mechanic, machinist, welder/fabricater, sprint car owner/mechanic, and now an industrial millwright, all of my life, well at least the last 27 years of it. I am a firm believer in preventive, rather than reactive maintenance. I had to shop and save a long time before I found a nearly perfect, used motor, I am going to make sure it stays that way. If I knew more about the motor, I may have done it myself, but I'm still looking for a factory set of shop manuals for it. Thanks again fellas for your advice.
Got the call today, motors done! It got all the fixins I listed earlier and got a clean bill of health. In fact he was impressed at how clean and good mechanical condition it was in. There was very little residue in the carbs, everything looked great. He claimed that this "94" model was nearly new, 160# compression, dead even on both cylinders. Goin to pick it up tomarow. Thought I'de give you all an update. Bob and Willard, Just to let ya know what other guys are gettin for their time, the bill was $445.00, including parts. Sound fair for what I had done plus parts? I didnt think it was too bad.
Keep some seafoam in the fuel to keep the system clean and next year all you will need is to change lower unit oil and fill and drain screw gaskets and a new set of plugs and you will be good to go.
Most shops around hear charge 70 an hour. I don't know if thats bad or good but I pay it when there is something I can't do. Bill
