I have a 2002 johnson 50 on my pontoon and now I'm on vacation and looking at it instead of using it. Took it out and it runs beautiful, but when I slow down quickly and my wave catches me it gets water in engine somehow. Airbox and carbs are tight, fuel lines look good, don't see anything obvious. All I can think of is it backwashing in through the exhaust?? Is there some sort of baffle or check valve type of thing in the exhaust? Any suggestions or ideas would be VERY appreciated .....save my vacation! Lol. As always, thank you for your help!
- Thread starter 41106
- Start date
Two possabilities I can think of. A 50 horse is pretty light in weight and should ride high in the water,have you checked for waterlogged pontoons causing rear to ride deeper in water? There are drain plugs in toons. Most pontoons are built with a well in rear of engine that protect's against water reaching above lower unit,could part of the well be missing?
kcm.MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- NW Minnesota
The "modern" version of how to correct the problem would be to pull out your "smart" phone, look up a video of a 50hp motor in operation and, with a close-up of the spinning prop, drop the phone down into the water. Better yet, look up the same thing, but for a 100hp motor, then hold on tight! *lol*
Your outboard may be sucking in water through the air intake. Some boats throw a pretty large wake. Shutting down quickly from a high speed can throw a large wave into the back of a boat, large enough to dump quit a bit of water into boats with low sterns. If your pontoon has a low deck and a high stern, the top half of the wave behind your boat might bounce off the stern back onto the outboard, momentarily swamping the outboard.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
I don't know of any way it could get back through the exhaust.
If it's getting enough water inside the cowling, it must be completely submerging! Even then it would take a few seconds to fill (think upside down glass) as long as the cowling is intact.
Have you watched it while running? Most pontoon boats have an aluminum V in front of the motor to deflect most of the water. If it is damaged or missing, that would cause the boat to ride deeper, Also make sure the pontoons are empty and not transferring water to the back.
And you can try keeping the heavy gear and passengers toward the middle, away from the rear. But not up front! Submarining is not fun! BTDT!
If it's getting enough water inside the cowling, it must be completely submerging! Even then it would take a few seconds to fill (think upside down glass) as long as the cowling is intact.
Have you watched it while running? Most pontoon boats have an aluminum V in front of the motor to deflect most of the water. If it is damaged or missing, that would cause the boat to ride deeper, Also make sure the pontoons are empty and not transferring water to the back.
And you can try keeping the heavy gear and passengers toward the middle, away from the rear. But not up front! Submarining is not fun! BTDT!
TomH in PA
Well-known Member
It might have what look like freeze plugs on the block somewhere. If one is loose or missing it will leak water inside the cowl; you should be able to see that while it's idling. Also check that the thermostat cover is tight.
If it really is caused by the stern wave running up on the motor you need to check the pontoons (as already mentioned) or just back off on the throttle slowly so the wave doesn't swamp you.
If it really is caused by the stern wave running up on the motor you need to check the pontoons (as already mentioned) or just back off on the throttle slowly so the wave doesn't swamp you.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
One other thought...
How far down in the water is the lower unit running?
Up to speed the cavitation plate should be running at or just above the surface of the water coming from under the transom.
If it is running lower you can raise the motor.
How far down in the water is the lower unit running?
Up to speed the cavitation plate should be running at or just above the surface of the water coming from under the transom.
If it is running lower you can raise the motor.
Keith Molden
Well-known Member
There should be a rubber seal around the cowl. I'm not quite sure about your question. Are you getting water inside the engine? The pump in the lower unit should pump water up thru the engine and back out via the 2 exhaust holes on the rear of the top of the lower unit housing (not too far below the cowl. Is the engine quitting on you or are you seeing water going out the exhaust, that's what it's supposed to be doing to cool the motor. I've made this as clear as mud. Keith P.S. what year is the motor
Keith Molden
Well-known Member
Mercy, I sure forgot what you posted when I was posting my reply. I don't remember any baffle in the exhaust. And I read the first 4 words, it's a 2002 LOL
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