I may have finally found a motor: 1989 Johnson 30hp LS tiller, problem is I’ve never owned a Johnson (motor that is) & don’t know what to look for as far as issues on this model. Anyone ever own / know of anything to be concerned with on this model?
Johnson specific wise, you might here some BS on the VRO system, they indeed weren’t good the first couple years, think 84′-85 ish, but 86+ had a better VRO system, and IMHO shouldn’t be messed with. http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html
I would be aware of the condition of the fuel and oil lines, they do go bad after time, and should probably be replaced if they are original. Should be cheap and easy.
That’s all I can really add that’s helpful. I had a ’96 Johnson that ran just great for me.
IMO, bottom of the food chain.
They were very popular in the 60’s. I belive what kept them alive was that the next generation bought what their fathers used. (Ie my dad had a Johnson so I will buy a johnson).
I feel they started going down hill in the early 80’s to where they are today…
Will they work, yes. Is there better out there, I say yes.
-Mark
We had an old ’78 35 hp Johnson that my 2 brothers and I ran the crap out of for 20 years. Not many motors get as much use as we put on this one. My guess is we had to put less than 300.00 into the motor during the years we had it. We sold the boat, motor and trailer for the same price we paid for it 20 years earlier (still ran great).
I currently have a ’96 115 hp Johnson that I’ve had for 10 years. This motor has been flawless.
If you really want to talk about bottom feeder motors.. That would be my ’00 Merc 40 hp I have on my pontoon. I’ve had that bastad in the shop 5 times over the past 2 summers (over 1500.00) and it still runs like crap and the freaking alarms still go off. 
I have 2004 Johnson 30 and that thing is the best outboard motor I’ve ever owned. It is a bombarier though. I think yours isn’t. After break in I had to have the carbs adjusted. That is the only time it has been in the shop in 7 years of hard service. I’ve run it on the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi. It has taken a number of full throttle impacts. Each time I pull it up and think that was the one and not even a scratch. It took a couple years for it to break in and at times started hard but not anymore. You can run that thing all day on 6 gallons easy.
I had a 78 johnson javalin 85 horse that I had seventeen years figured with the heavy use put 12000 plus gallons of fuel through it–changed the plugs yearly–1 waterpump and thats all–grreat engine–snagged
Thank you all for the feedback. I think I’ll go with it.
Absolutely Beave. Dave or I can help you with any problems with that motor.
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IMO, bottom of the food chain.
As a die hard Merc guy I find that statement absurd to say the least.
One of if not the best, easiest motors to work on or fix.
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I have 2004 Johnson 30 and that thing is the best outboard motor I’ve ever owned. It is a bombarier though. I think yours isn’t. After break in I had to have the carbs adjusted. That is the only time it has been in the shop in 7 years of hard service. I’ve run it on the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi. It has taken a number of full throttle impacts. Each time I pull it up and think that was the one and not even a scratch. It took a couple years for it to break in and at times started hard but not anymore. You can run that thing all day on 6 gallons easy.
Kevin loves his small white Johnson.
It’s not the size of your johnson that matters… It’s how it performs. 
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