Right now I have an 82 Johnson Sailmaster 8horse w/ a 5amp alternator. Been shopping around and reading about the 4horse 4-stroke Nissan without a charger. New it's about a grand. The sailmaster has been giving me problems: at high rpms it will quit. It will restart w/ no problems, but the high-rpm cutout can be annoying as you can imagine. Anyhew, My dilemma this year is to either fix the sailmaster, buy a much needed boom vang and the telescopic mast raising aid from CD or trade in the sailmaster and purchase a new 4-stroke and wait on my other wants (vang, etc) til next year. What would you do? I don't like the idea of my kicker not having a charger which adds rougly 2-bills to the price of a new 4-stroke. Thanks
Buy New Kicker or Fix Old?
- Thread starter fredsb
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Points on this engine?
As this engine is an '82, it might have points, as opposed to the now more common electronic ignition. I am guessing, but as the engine starts well enough, the problem may be with the points. Possibly the gap is too large or the spring action has deteriorated. Also, check the gap on the plugs as well. A too narrow plug gap may not produce enough spark spread to ignite the air fuel mixture at high speeds. Before making anymore decisions, try just replacing the points and spark plugs, which is something you can do yourself and is not expensive.
As this engine is an '82, it might have points, as opposed to the now more common electronic ignition. I am guessing, but as the engine starts well enough, the problem may be with the points. Possibly the gap is too large or the spring action has deteriorated. Also, check the gap on the plugs as well. A too narrow plug gap may not produce enough spark spread to ignite the air fuel mixture at high speeds. Before making anymore decisions, try just replacing the points and spark plugs, which is something you can do yourself and is not expensive.
?Fuel
Bayard may be right, but it also could be starving for fuel. If it has a remote tank, it could be a worn fuel pump or perhaps a small leak in the supply hose that allows air to enter. I've had 2 larger Mercs that die as you describe at high rpm's, both had fuel pump failures. For diagnosis, in both cases I could keep them running by continually squeezing the fuel squeeze bulb. Repair of fuel pump is much less costly than purchasing a new engine. Dick
Bayard may be right, but it also could be starving for fuel. If it has a remote tank, it could be a worn fuel pump or perhaps a small leak in the supply hose that allows air to enter. I've had 2 larger Mercs that die as you describe at high rpm's, both had fuel pump failures. For diagnosis, in both cases I could keep them running by continually squeezing the fuel squeeze bulb. Repair of fuel pump is much less costly than purchasing a new engine. Dick
Keep the Sailmaster
Definitely keep and fix the Sailmaster. They are great for sailboats. I got rid of my old sailmaster last summer and replaced it with a normal Johnson 9.9 LS, AND IT HAS NO POWER IN REVERSE! The problem is the exhaust is beneath the waterline, etc., etc. I changed props and it is a little better but not much. The Sailmasters or Yachtwins do not have the exhaust in the water so there is no problem with reverse power. I don't know about four strokes but find out before you buy one...still, keep and fix the Sailmaster.
Definitely keep and fix the Sailmaster. They are great for sailboats. I got rid of my old sailmaster last summer and replaced it with a normal Johnson 9.9 LS, AND IT HAS NO POWER IN REVERSE! The problem is the exhaust is beneath the waterline, etc., etc. I changed props and it is a little better but not much. The Sailmasters or Yachtwins do not have the exhaust in the water so there is no problem with reverse power. I don't know about four strokes but find out before you buy one...still, keep and fix the Sailmaster.
I have a sailmaster in a box....
15 hp long shaft, electric start with alt. Great for parts, or rebuild. Mechanic says it needs bearing replacement etc. I have aftermarket manual that's very detailed. Good project for the handy, fix-it type. $100 includes manual. joe@joefordhomes.com
15 hp long shaft, electric start with alt. Great for parts, or rebuild. Mechanic says it needs bearing replacement etc. I have aftermarket manual that's very detailed. Good project for the handy, fix-it type. $100 includes manual. joe@joefordhomes.com
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