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Should I upgrade to 4-stroke?

1

1999john25hp

Member
Seeking opinions and experiences.

I have a 2000 model year 25hp 2-stroke outboard on my skiff and it pushes the boat to 18kts+. It generally runs well, but burns/leaks gas and floods easily.

(Cleaned the carb and replaced float/needle valve and gaskets, but that didn't solve it. Probably needs an expert to check head gaskets and other possible issues.)

Considering repowering with a 4-stroke, but I'm worried about the extra weight or less torque off the line. And maybe adding power trim and electric start, which would add even more weight. Maybe bumping up to 30hp would help?
 
Remore electric star / manual start ?----Checked fuel pump diaphragm ?---Floods easily ?---How did you determine that?----What is your cold start procedure?----Model # of your motor ?
 
These 2 strokes are not well understood by the new generation of boaters.----They are well built and are the most economical way to go boating.----But for many folks a new $5000 motor is the best way to solve their issues.
 
racerone said:
Remore electric star / manual start ?----Checked fuel pump diaphragm ?---Floods easily ?---How did you determine that?----What is your cold start procedure?----Model # of your motor ?
Click to expand...
It's a Johnson J25RSSE pull start. I pump the syringe on the front of the engine twice and leave it on the red ring. Add throttle and pull. When cold, it usually starts on the 2nd pull. I very quickly have to push the syringe plunger back in or it doesn't stay at a reasonable RPM.

When hot, I just pull, typically with some throttle, and it starts right up.

Warm can be challenging. Never know whether to pump the syringe or not. If I do, I often get some gas smell and sheen on the water and the engine won't start unless I unplug the fuel line and pull a bunch of times. If I don't pump the syringe, sometimes it also doesn't start and I'm never sure if I flooded or didn't provide enough fuel.

Fuel pump diaphragm is on my list. I think replacing the stuff on the carb helped to some degree. (The bulb now stays firm if I pump it a couple times, so I think the needle valve isn't leaking anymore.) But still had a problem where it wouldn't start when warm.

My preference is to keep things simple and keep the maintenance and repairs up on the 4 stroke. But my co-owner wants a 4-stroke with electric everything. They're older and not as capable of pulling the cord 40 times when she's flooded.
 
Well----If you have to pull the cord 40 times you are doing something wrong !-----What are the compression values on this motor ?----Do you install a new impeller every 5 years ?----Considered installing electric start on your motor ?
 
racerone said:
Well----If you have to pull the cord 40 times you are doing something wrong !-----What are the compression values on this motor ?----Do you install a new impeller every 5 years ?----Considered installing electric start on your motor ?
Click to expand...
Would the impeller influence the fuel mixture? I'll add replacing it and checking the compression to my list of things to do. (New to me outboard. Going through the list.)
 
The water pump impeller is an often overlooked / forgotten maintenance item.-----And I can't believe folks are baffled by 2 stroke engines.----I have been repairing these simple machines since 1968 !----Folks often are baffled by my simple test methods and trouble shooting on them.
 
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