Removing v4 Carbs

[lonesouth]

The carbs on my Johnson have been in need of rebuilding for the last two years. Tonight, I decided to do something about it. Though I made that decision, Johnson engineers had other thoughts. I cannot figure out how to removed the carbs in the first place. The bottom two bolts on the starboard side are behind the shift linkage that prevents even a 1/4" ratchet access. The factory service manual isn't much help as it seems to be written with the assumption that the powerhead is removed entirely.

Anyone have any suggestions, or an extra hour or two tomorrow to help me get the carbs out? Seems pretty straightforward from there on the rebuild.

2004 Johnson V4 J115PLSCR, located in Ox Bow.

[Sea Fox]

You need to disconnect the throttle and shift cables. then remove breather, I have one of these motors and do one carb at a time. the bowl screws are soft so use a screw driver that fits well. use carb cleaner and air to blow out all passages. Good luck

[tin can]

As Sea Fox said, remove the shift and throttle linkage, and the air box. You also have to pull the electric choke linkage loose. Stuff a rag under both sides of the carbs (this is important). Remove the nuts on the port side first. Loosen the nuts on the starboard side and slide the carbs forward on the studs. then finish removing the nuts. When you drop one of the nuts it will fall on the rags and not go all the way to the bottom of the engine pan (told you it was important).

When you put them back on you'll find out there isn't enough room between the end of the studs and the carb housing to fit the nut on the starboard studs. Slide the carbs half way onto the studs. You can get the starboard nuts back on. I usually start the port side nuts first. They will keep the carbs from falling off when you're trying to start the starboard nuts.

Sea fox's method of one at a time is a good idea. If you get them switched you'll get to do it all again.

[lonesouth]

The trick was to remove the side panels. I didn't see anything in the book referring to them, and it never occurred to me to take them off. Before I could finish my beer, we had the carbs off. Rebuilding them was cake.