1999 Johnson 150 operated with spark plug wire disconnected

[Cwett]

In 04 I had to have my 1999 Johnson 150HP carbonated engine rebuilt. The job the engine shop did was flawless and the engine ran better than ever. After the break in time I took it back for the check up and it was just great. I live in San Antonio, Texas and the boat was in Palmetto, Fl. My wife and I try to get down about once a month and fish on the Manatee River for Snook. I may have put about 50 hours on the rebuilt on the next 18 months. We decided to bring the boat back to San Antonio in June 07. I did not get any time to use the boat and would try to put the water ears on about once ever 2-3 months and run the engine. Now here is my problem - last month (March 08) I took the cowling off the engine and noticed that the what I guess is the #6 spark plug wire was off the plug (looking at the rear of the engine it was the bottom right) thinking I had maybe knocked the wire off when removing the cowling I replace the the wire but could not figure out why the wire was not on and kept wondering how long had it been off. I have a buyer for the boat and decided to take to the lake yesterday and just check all the systems. While warming the engine still on the trailer I noticed a considerable amount of oil spots floating on the water behind the boat - the engine seemed to be running ok just a lot of smoke. I decided not to launch the boat and take it to a dealer, of which I did yesterday.

Now after all the pondering over the spark plug wire I have decided that back in July 04 after the break in the shop failed to put this wire on after they completed the compression check and I put the additional hours (about 50) on the engine with it firing only on 5 pistons. Can anyone tell me if the oil and smoke was only coming from the #6 where is has been build up from not have any spark and is the engine pretty much toast.

Bottom line no matter how good the shop is I will always have them pull the cowling and go over with me the items they worked on - had I have done this we would have seen the spark plug wire off at this time.

Thanks
Charlie

[Lockjaw]

If it had been off and you used it for 50 hours, then your statement of it running better then it ever has wouldn't fit.

Dropping a cylinder like that would have reduced engine power significantly. It would have sounded different, not reached top rpms, and it would have shook pretty bad. You would have noticed a much slower holeshot too.

I lost 800 rpms when my GT175 dropped a cylinder. In addition, there was no doubt why it lost rpms, it sounded awful.

Now it could have been on there, just not totally locked on the electrode. THen on your rode trip, it came loose.

Put the boat in the water and run it. Add a can of seafoam to the gas and have at it.

[Cwett]

Thanks Lockjaw

You could be right on the road trip. I should have a report from my mechanic on Monday. Just hope I don't have to spend the $4,500 to rebuild the power head again.

[Lockjaw]

Send it to monty if it costs that much. It will come back making more then 150hp for that kind of money.

[Cwett]

That's about what it cost from my mechanic in Fla when he rebuilt both sides or as he said the power head. Pardon me but I don't know who Monty is please share this person with me in case I need a second opinion.

[ChampioNman]

Gordon Montague or http://www.montyracing.com he makes the motors really sing.

[Lockjaw]

He did one for a guy on Fastbass and it made 202 hp. I bet that would scare a few mercury guys.

I would love to do one, just not raising the compression. Gas costs to much now to run anything but 87 octane.