Other than tinkering and trial and error. What books, videos, manuals can I utilize to become more mechanically inclined at fixing minor issues with my motor?  (150 johnson)Can you all suggest a few things?  As you have said in previous posts, " better to learn to fix it yourself than toss money down the toilet"

:-/

I just wait til something breaks then learn how to fix that one thing!   ;D

Howstuffworks has a great article about 2-stroke motors and their comparison to 4-strokes (assuming you're better versed in 4-stroke motors).

IMHO the most intimidating thing on a boat motor is the lower unit, that's where I'm totally lost.  :-/ We'll get there!  8-)

I just purchased the Clymer service manual for my motor (Johnson 110). I purchase a manual for everything I ever buy. I may sell the item, but I keep the books!

An internal combustion engine is an internal combustion engine. If you know anything about engines, your boat motor is little different. It still takes fuel, spark, and air- in the correct mixture at the right time. Fuel delivery may be a little different (reed valves, two stroke), and linkages look daunting, but they are not. The service manual is quite detailed, and has many photos. If you are mechanically inclined, there is little you will not be able to do.

Amazon.com has a good list of service manuals. Just be sure to get the right one. There will be three or four for your year model, but horsepower might be different.

Get oily!

Mark

Another $000,000,000.02

I would get the OEM service manual for your specific model.  You can order them from any dealer and they only cost approx $30.   The OEM is much better than the Clymer in almost all areas.  

As for a motor being a motor, that's not quite the case when comparing two stroke and four stroke motors.  Yes, they both have spark plugs and pistons, and require the proper mixture, compression, ignition at the proper time but they use two totally different principles to make power.

The biggest thing about fixing it yourself is knowing your limitations.   Get in over your head and you can screw up a hellavalot more than you could hope to save.  Outboard parts and labor are EXPENSIVE.