low rpm on 94 220 Johnson Venom

[mark b]

Rusty, CM, 89 Basscat, and all other helpful people on the board. I changed my spark plugs & picked up 2 to 300 rpm. now i'm up to 5300, still not enough. I also went from Power tech 24 to a Power Tech 23. No noticable difference. Tomorrow I take it back to the mechanic to put it on the dyno. Said he wasn't going to charge anything, since I had it there before and it didn't get fixed. After running the new plugs for a few hours I pulled them and the lower ones on both sides seem to be darker on the porcelin. Especially the left side (looking from the back of the motor) What could that mean? I don't think I should have to go to a 23 four blade or lower to increase rpm. Seems the 200 Johnson on the 93 Basscat Pantera 2 should be plenty . Boat runs rough(rpm increase and decrease a little) between 3500 to 4300 rpm. Doesn't run smooth if I try to cruise at those mid rpm. If the mechanic doesn't find anything, which I hope he will. Is it time to start parts changing? What would be first, since the stator is new? Timer base or power pack? Thanks all

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

I believe before I went to changing parts I would go through the basics.... check throttle plates to be wide open.... also have you checked to see if the timer base is moving when you have it accelerated? That will cause it to run bad... low compression.... numerous things... but I think I would have a mechanic check out the electrical firt before i went to throwing money and parts at it..... also remember, summer time heat will drop the r's down anywhere form 200-500.....

[mark b]

Throttle plates are wide open, compression is 90 in all cylinders. I don't know how to check timer base, can you describe? It's crazy to throw $ at changing parts, but the last two mechanics said they could find no problems. They put it in a test tank, but did not go to the lake with it. I know the motor should turn more that 5300rpm's . It used to turn 5560, & I think it's supposed to turn around 6200 max. Thanks.

[barchief]

I know that on my 95 200 venom, I have a 23 'gade and I am turning right at 5800 (where it is supposed to) MAX if I am not mistaken is 6000. Sounds like it could be the power pack, but in no way am I an expert.

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

The timer base is under the flywheel... has an arm that comes off of it and touches a stop.....

[mark b]

If I ever solve this problem it might help a few others. I've noticed that "Lojak" with a 94 Venom only gets 5000 rpm, and 89 Basscat also has200 Johnson with low rpm problems. Whats the deal? Mine is at the mechanic, when I get it back and if the problem is solved, maybe we can all benefit from the info. Thanks to all for all the help. This is a great way to share great knowlege.

[ChampioNman]

Mark you talking about the electrodes on the plugs being darker? I still feel like you either have a timing issue or a problem with the timer base itself. But they should be able to test it for sure on the dyno. CM

[Lojack]

Mark...I'm watching your post to see if you solve the mystery. It's my first boat so I'm tickled just to be out on the water. I'm changing plugs in the next week or two and will eventually check compression and throttle plates etc. I don't have jackplate so that is some of problem, at least in m.p.h. I'll keep watching your posts and respond if I discover anything.

[RUSTY63]

Sometimes you have to get your hands on a motor to see whats wrong with it, we do the best we can using your posts to make suggestions on what the problem may be but, diagnosing a problem over the Internet is not always easy.

Let us know what the tech finds.