Johnson 4HP 2000 Outboard Fuel/Oil Ratio

[Seastar]

Hello Just got back from a pleasant sail this weekend, the only "cloud" (he he) was the continuing love hate relationship with our dreadful Johnson 4HP 2stoke outboard. The dam thing not only corrodes like mad (why do Johnson use steel screws in the marine environment!) but it also has its own mind set as to when its going to run or not and when it is running there is no guarantee it will stay running. Paddles are an essential part of our Johnson outboard operation kit.
Anyway, decided to try and fix it up a bit and dragged the lump home leaving the operation manual on the boat! At home and after cleaning out the fuel system, I cannot remember for the life of me what the published 2 stroke mix was (too many 2 stoke garden tools!) Surprisingly I could find nothing of the internet, not even the manufacturers of this dreadful motor want to share such information.
Can anyone out there help please so I try and get the beast working without a round trip to the boat!
I think the recommended mix was 100-1.
Thanks

 

[Dockhead]

50:1.

If you can't get it work well, sell it (or commit it to the deep), and buy something else. Life is too short to spend with unreliable outboards. In decades of outboard use, we've never had a bad one (Mercs, Yamaha, Mariner).

 

[paulwornell]

I have one as well

I have a similar vintage that I have owned since new. In its early years it was a complete nightmare. However, two things have tamed it of recent years (possibly tempting providence). I change the in line fuel filter very regularly. Secondly I discovered that the main jet would work loose. This was sorted with some locktite. The cooling arteries furr up very easily and the side panel on the block should be unscrewed to allow degunging. Also discovered that if you take off the gearbox you can fit a hose (using various improvised adaptors) to the collant pipe and wash through using mains pressure water.

 

[VicS]

50:1 is correct. and the manufacturers do publish the information on the internet.

http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Owners-Center/FAQ/OilAndFuel

4hp Johnson should start easily and run as sweet as a nut.

Clean set or replace plugs. Currently recommended are Champion QL86C although QL77JC4 should do equally well ( take care not to use resistor plugs such as NGK BR or BPR series)

Check sparks. Should jump 7/16"

Check compression. Actual value not specified but the two should be within 10% of each other. (expect at least 80psi)

Basic setting for the idle mixture needle is to seat gently then unscrew 1½ turns. Adjust for best running from there by screwing in until it falters then back out to even running again

 

[Seastar]

Johnson 4HP Outboard

Many thanks for the replies and suggestions, I will give all a try. I have had this motor from new and its never behaved itself, I like the idea of committing it to the deep but as I said its a love hate relationship and issued must be resolved. In the 10years I have owned the beast I don’t think it has achieved more than 10Hours run time, such has been the reliability.
Thanks Vics for the link it didn’t occur to me to try the other brand! Its the same mind set that caused me to leave the manual onboard, I put it down to old age!
Thanks again