Johnson Motors

[BG RTR]

Any opinions on a Johnson Fast Strike 115?  Its a 97 model.  I really like the boat it is on and considering buying it, but I haven't heard many good things about Johnson motors.  I figured you guys could chime in and help me out .

 

Thanks as always for the help- finding my first boat has been a learning experience!

[Wayne P.]

If the motor still runs after 16 years, what is your concern about quality?

[Way2slow]

Are you talking about something like the lower tech bulletin in this http://www.mar-fab.com/MarFab_Tech_Bulletins_D9579.pdf

Stuff happens. They claim 25% show up with this crack so the other 75% must still be kicking butt. Almost any motor you pick will probably have some sort of common issues with a certain percentage of them. When buying one, you just have to hope the one you're getting is not one of those in that small percentage. As mentioned, after almost 20 years, if it hasn't broke by now, probably a pretty good chance it's not going to break anytime soon.

[joefish]

I have a Johnson 115, year 2000, it was a great engine until it blew a powrhead in 2009. I had it rebuilt and it is still running strong. I did however eliminate the VRO and mix my own fuel/oil now.

[wnybassman]

I have always heard the later years of the Fast Strike series were some of the best motors Johnson ever built.   I like hearing that because I have a '97 150 myself.        (My boat is a '98 but they must have put a left over '97 motor on it)

[Teal]

I have a 1995 Johnson Venom 200 that still runs like a scalded dog. Its a little cold natured bit other than that, its a champ.

[MacP]

I have a 98 Johnson 115 SPL.  I've never heard any bad things about 80-90s Evinrude/Johnsons.

[Crappiebasser]

I have had 3 of them over the years and never had an issue. I live on a lake and put about 200 hours a year on my motors.

[Duckbutter100]

If you do enough research on any motor it seems like you find plenty of folks that say they are junk and plenty like the reviews above. Im also checking out used boat/motors and its mind numbing trying to sort through good and bad reviews. 

 

I've even called a couple shops closer to me and got the exact opposite answer from folks who work on them for a living. Its beyond frustrating.

[lmoore]

Most of the late 90s Johnson's were designed to run with lower compression than most other outboards due to concerns at that point with fuel quality. Long story but basically it just means that quite a few of them will be "cold blooded." I know they DoD that with 150 on up, not sure on the 115. Overall the late 90s motors are pretty solid and there are plenty of them still running around.

[Teal]

Its really all in how they were taken care of

[Brian Needham]

check the compression, have a mechanic go through it..... use good oil, take care of it, and it will serve you well.

 

that being said, all motors are ticking time bombs when you get down to it. They are just as app to explode the day it rolls out of the factory as they are 20 years later.

[jhoffman]

im running a 92 evinrude 25 that too my knowledge has never been rebuilt

[slonezp]

Had an '88 75hp Johnson. aside from numerous issues with the VRO pump, which were resolved by bypassing it, no issues 

[WIGuide]

The fast strike's were good motors as well as most of the 80's-90's Johnson/Evinrude lineup. The ones you want to be careful of are the FICT Johnsons even though as stated earlier, if it's still running it most likely was one of the better ones. Like any motor though you want to check the compression on it. Overall, a solid motor though.