96 Johnson 130 Poor Idling and Running Hot

[ansu92]

I've got an issue with my 96 Johnson 130 (J130TLEDM). At low idle the engine will stall but will crank right back up. Runs fine above low idle all the way to WOT (5600 rpms). Priming bulb does not help at idle. Additionally, the number 1 and 2 cylinders (starboard side) are hot to the touch at idle.

Here's what I've checked so far and it has made no difference: Compression is 130 in all 4 cylinders. Spark is good. No air leaks in fuel lines. Recently synchronized carbs and throttle linkages. Changed water pump and thermostat assembly on the starboard side. Just changed fuel/water separator filter as well. Any help is appreciated.

[ansu92]

I've done some research and believe it may be the carbs on the starboard side are clogged/gummed up, causing it to run lean on that side and get hot. I've also been told that it may be the crankshaft sealing rings. Any opinions?

[316jughead]

Does your hot horn chirp when you turn on the key? If it does the system is probably working, if the hot horn hasn't sounded it may not be getting hot. If you suspect a bad temp. sensor they can be tested. To test the wiring harness, unplug the sensor, turn key on, touch the brown wire in the harness to the block or a good ground, the horn should sound off. One sensor on each head. What is the RPM at idle, in gear, in the water? If you did the sync and link in neutral on the ear muffs it might be set to low.

[316jughead]

Well, it sure could be a lean condition, many a motor has been blown like this and the horn never went off.

[ansu92]

The horn beeps as is goes through its diagnostics checks when I turn the key on. I tested the alarm by grounding the tan wire going to the temp sensor and only the light on the dash comes on. No horn sound. The light never did come on when the engine was idling. I'm not sure what the actual temp was and if it was hot enough to trigger the temp sensor, but the starboard head is way hotter than the port head. I could not keep my hand on it because it was too hot. Temp sensor may be the problem and I need to check it.