Johnson 90: "CHK ENG" alert?

timflan · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

OK, here's the problem:

I've got an exhaust leak. About two grand worth of exhaust leak, as the midsection casting known as the "Engine Holder" needs to be replaced completely, along with a bunch of associated gaskets and little parts.

It's corroded clear through in one spot, allowing exhaust out, into the engine enclosure, thus starving the engine for oxygen. It also means there's an incredible mess of carbon and soot inside the engine enclosure, but that's just ugly; it doesn't prevent the engine from operating correctly.

Now about the warranty. Jacobsen's called, and I called: BRP says that, aside from the warranty having expired (about a month ago...doh!), it wouldn't be covered anyway. Why not? Because corrosion isn't covered; it's a maintenance issue. Oh, well OK then... Sad

tsturm · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject:

timflan · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject:

On a three-year-old engine? I'm not sure how easy it might be to find the big casting on the used market.

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

Those engine parts probably haven't been changed since they started building them, at least not until the new EFI ones came out. My lower unit was the same on my 45 from now back as far as '94 and earlier. Find one with a blown power head, that's a lot more common!

Charlie

timflan · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

This is the Suzuki-built EFI four-stroke Johnson sold for a very few years while the E-Tec was under development. There MIGHT be Suzuki parts available...I don't know how long Suzuki has been building these engines.

DaveS · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

The Suzuki and Johnson are the same with the exception with the exterior housings (ie: housing color and name). Suzuki will have what you need.

Island Ranger · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject:

Sure doesn't sound right to me.

I find it hard to believe a three year old motor could have this kind of major failure and not be covered in warranty.

(Or would they say we have extremely corrosive water in Puget Sound - not what the engine was design to operate in?)

I'll cross off Suzuki/Johnson motors off my list.

Mac

timflan · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject:

timflan · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

By the way, I'm starting to feel like a real "orphan" with regard to this engine. Suzuki-authorized service departments don't want to work on it because it's a Johnson. Johnson-authorized service departments are happy to work on it, and they can get all the parts, but they acknowledge right off the bat that they don't see many.

I guess (but have no firm evidence) that BRP cut this deal with Suzuki to sell rebranded Suzi outboards for a couple of years while their own plants were busy R&Ding and retooling in preparation for the big E-Tec push. They needed to feed SOMETHING into the retail channel in the meantime, so they worked the deal with Suzuki.

timflan · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:56 am Post subject:

OK, I've provided an update with pictures over at navagear: http://www.navagear.com/2007/11/my-johnsons-fixed/

I've sent off my letter to BRP. We'll see what they do.