force 85 hp problem

[longball]

im new to boating and seem to be having a problem with my force 85 hp. when i bought the boat from a friend it ran great. well 2 years later and not much time on the water it seems to be struggling a bit. it seems to run good with the muffs on but i took it out this weekend and opened it up. it started out good, got up to good speed, planed out and then seemed to just bog down. i would stop and put it in neutral and start up again. it would act like it wanted to run but just wouldnt get up and go. every now and then when i would put it in neutral it would die, but i would have no problems restarting it. i just ordered a manuel but i would like to go into this with some sort of direction to look. i missed alot of big fish this weekend and dont want it to happen again, its not very often i can get out with a 13 month old. thanks, todd

 

[CoachHolland]

Re: force 85 hp problem

First thing I would do is pull your plugs and check them to see how they look. Coated with black grime? That's good. Clean? That's bad.<br /><br />Then check your spark and see if you are getting good spark to the plugs.<br /><br />What you are describing sounds dead on my latest Force 85 problem. Started out with great speed and power, then all the sudden engine power died out but still run, but like a dog and would occassionally die out completely. However, would start rigth back up. I'm not getting any spark to #2 and very little spark to #1. I have an idea on what it is and will know for sure most likely Monday afternoon. <br /><br />Anyway, I believe it is a faulty CD Unit.

 

[dmann]

Re: force 85 hp problem

I had a similar problem once and found the vent on my gas tank was plugged. The motor ran good until the diaphram pump worked against the vacuum in the tank and then the fuel supply dropped off and the engine died. Not too technical but who knows it might be a cheap fix. You can always hope!!!!!

 

[CoachHolland]

Re: force 85 hp problem

Put the new CD unit on and it ran great in my bucket and got great spark. Took it out on the water and ran great at WOT for a couple of hours, then starting missing on one or more cyliders again and had to call it a day.<br /><br />I'm guessing that according to the info I've seen on this board and info I got from CDI that it is likely a problem with the stator itself.

 

[Uinthas]

Re: force 85 hp problem

Before you go throwing parts at it (like I did) run an OHM test on the trigger.. I dont recall seing what year your motor is, I have a 1987 85HP & seam to remember the spec being 40-50 ohms.. I threw coils, CDI's at it before I did some testing & found that I had a short in my trigger, it tested fine but once I moved the wires it went clear up to 950 ohms.. You can also performe a OHM test on the stator as well, let me know if you need some more info..

 

[CoachHolland]

Re: force 85 hp problem

Mine is an '88, however the wiring on it seems almost to be from a '89. I completely took all the wires off of it, found one bad wire (that actually was a new problem that is totally unrelated to this) and it looks now like there is good fire on 1 & 3, but nothing on #2 unless the engine is cranking over. Once the engine is running, no spark at all on #2.<br /><br />Doing an OHM test here shortly on the trigger and a few other things, though it is brand new. Just about the only thing that hasn't been replaced in the last month on this motor is the stator and coils. Replaced the trigger, new plugs, new CD unit for #1 and #2, diaphram, impeller, carbs removed and cleaned and reset. Coils are good because when I switched them out (number two coil into the number one position and vice versa) #1 cylinder was still firing good, but #2 was dead.

 

[longball]

Re: force 85 hp problem

checked my spark plugs and they were dirty as can be, full of grit and grime. i want to make sure i get the correct spark plugs so where can i find out what are the right ones for my engine. the manuel i ordered from here doesnt specify. i also need to find out where i can get the new gaskets for my carb, i think that is what it is, the 3 in the front that has the air vent cover over it.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: force 85 hp problem

Spark plug recommended for your motor is a champion UL18V plug

 

[longball]

Re: force 85 hp problem

thank you for the spark plug advice. im still needing help locating the gaskets, they are torn up pretty good. i doubt its the problem but im sure it wont hurt to fix them. they have 3 holes on them for screws, two of which are rather close to each other. im also wondering about the oil to gas mixture and if im using the right one. i was told 25:1 but that just doesnt sound right. thanks again

 

[eurolarva]

Re: force 85 hp problem

Post your model number and then hopefully someone can help you find the gaskets you need. Your gas to oil mixture is 50 to 1. 24 to 1 is for breaking in a new motor or breaking in a rebuilt motor.

 

[longball]

Re: force 85 hp problem

the model number is 856X4L and its an '84 force 85 hp. thanks for the gas info.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: force 85 hp problem

Here is a link for the carb section for your motor. These are merc parts so the part numbers should work at your local mercury dealer.<br /> force 84 carb parts