Expert: Everett Peacock - 9/17/2010

Question
i have a johnson 150hp fast strike (loop charged) motor.  a mechanic told me that the flywheel is throwing magnets, has 60 pounds compression in 1 cylinder. it starts, but barely idles, sucks the fuel line and bulb dry until dies, if pumped up it will run again. it runs good up to 4000 rpms until it sucks bulb dry then it dies. can you tell me what's going on with it and how do i repair it?

Answer
compression should be, no more than 15 psi between any two cylindres.. and yes some of those engine did throw the magnets, the epoxy that holds the magnets on the flywheel, gives out..
if you can pump the bulb and keep it running then check the fuel pump...