Johnson 150 Faststrike - bad powerpack?

[oquinnc]

I've spent a few hours reading through various threads on this site, and I feel that I am getting close to diagnosing my problem. It seems that the powerpacks on the Faststrike engines go bad from time to time, and my symptoms are similar to others that have had bad powerpacks.

The engine seems to run fine at idle and low speeds. When coming out of the hole, it does fine and will usually stay on plane for a short time. Then it bogs down and comes off plane. If I back off the throttle, I can usually keep it running. If I don't, it dies. When it starts to bog down I can squeeze the primer bulb a few times, and it clears the bog and runs normal. But after a short time it bogs down again.

From various threads on this and other sites, it looks like I need to check the following before determining that it is the powerpack:
- Check fuel line to make sure it's not blocked or kinked.
- Check fuel filter(s) - BTW, where are they on the Faststrike? Inline? Finger Filter?
- If those are okay, is it most likely the powerpack?

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to provide as much info as possible to the experts!

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

I will step in and say most likely NOT the power pack..... The filter( btw, need to post your model and serial number) will be most likely in the front of the motor, between the carbs, where the fuel line comes in( memory! ) unscrew the plastic fitting, and there is a screen under there.... does it have the black gaskets or orange gaskets for the intake? Another is to check the ball that is in the tank fitting where the line comes out... Sometimes they will cause what you have described...

[oquinnc]

Thanks for the help Witchdoctor. Here's the info you requested. Maybe you and the other experts can use it to educate me further.
Model Number: #J150GLEUC
Serial Number: #G04296972

Let me know if that alerts you to anything else. If not, I will try the fuel filter and fuel line fittings.

Can I use the model number to find out exactly where the filter is?

I apologize for my ignorance, but I have no documentation and don't want to make a costly mistake.

Thanks!

[Sportwin]

It sure sounds like your OMS pump is not providing adequate fuel pressure to the carbs or you have an air leak in the fuel supply. Try this: It might take someone to run the boat and a partner. Prime the bulb and start the engine. Accelerate and when the engine starts to die out, have them prime the bulb aggressively. If the engine will continue to run as long as the bulb is primed manually, it indicates that the fuel/OMS pump is not doing it's job or there is an air leak in the fuel supply. The fuel filter is on the front of the engine. Remove the upper motor cover and follow the fuel line. The filter is white and you have to unscrew the plastic nut with the fuel line attached to it to remove it from the vapor separator.

[oquinnc]

Sportwin,

That's exactly what happens. If the if it's primed when it starts to die out, it peps right back up.

I think I'm going to replace the entire fuel line (filter, hoses, valves, etc)... it's over 20 years old, and there's probably some air getting in there. If that doesn't get it, I'll replace the fuel pump.

Thanks for the help!

[JoshKeller]

exact same thing would happen to my motor, and a new fuel pump fixed the problem.