Well, I think we made a mistake. Been many years since I owned my Boston Whaler 13'6" with a Johnson. Ran great. No problems -- ever.<br /><br />My spouse and I wanted to start boating again and we purchased a 16' Bayliner with an 85hp Force. The boat and trailer are clean in structure, electrical and cosmetics, but here's the deal. <br /><br />The motor had not been started for about two years. Ran great on dry start in the driveway. (Ran it about 30 seconds.) Generated some white smoke so I figured it was running very rich. Didn't have time to completely go over and start tweaking. Changed the plugs. Replaced with a set of Champions. I noted the old plugs were very oily. Used Champion 824s and noted upon replacement that the old top cylinder spark plug porcelain sleeve was cracked and slightly burned. After plug replacement, motor was hard to start and displayed rough idle. (No, I didn't yank the spark plug wires as they are one assembly). <br /><br />I launched the boat for a trial run around our local harbor (salt water) and noted that the motor ran rough at idle, low speed, and became difficult to start. Plenty of crank though. (This was ALL after the plug change).<br /><br />I had disposed of the old fuel prior to running, and am running fresh regular gas at 50:1 ratio. <br /><br />Opened the engine to full throttle, it responded fine at first, but after an hour's running, when opening up to full, acceleration would kick in late, i.e., run at half OK, forward the throttle and no acceleration; then it kicks in a second or two late OR force the throttle and it kicks in. <br /><br />Dirty fuel filter? Dirty carb throat? Losing compression?<br /><br />I had fine water/exhaust flow and good handling. I noted after I brought the boat in that the motor sounded "squeaky" at very low speed. 
<br /><br />Did not note any brown oil on the lower unit. The motor is not running hot (can touch the cyclinder heads for about three seconds with no problem).<br /><br />I know that Force is orphaned and am thinking about selling the boat at a loss (only paid $900 for the whole thing, trailer, boat and motor) and sunk in about $200.00 in registration and clean-up. I don't want to sink a fortune into a major overhaul or rebuild on an orphaned motor. <br /><br />Again, the boat and trailer are fine. <br /><br />Keep or sell? Sink to make a fishing reef? Any advice? <br /><br />Thanks! Any immediate help would be appreciated.
<br /><br />Did not note any brown oil on the lower unit. The motor is not running hot (can touch the cyclinder heads for about three seconds with no problem).<br /><br />I know that Force is orphaned and am thinking about selling the boat at a loss (only paid $900 for the whole thing, trailer, boat and motor) and sunk in about $200.00 in registration and clean-up. I don't want to sink a fortune into a major overhaul or rebuild on an orphaned motor. <br /><br />Again, the boat and trailer are fine. <br /><br />Keep or sell? Sink to make a fishing reef? Any advice? <br /><br />Thanks! Any immediate help would be appreciated.