Force 125 loses power

[BWSmith]

Hi, Everyone,

I have a strange problem I was hoping some of you seasoned experts can help me resolve. I have a 18-footer with a Force 125. It seems to run like a champ until about two hours of running time at near-max power settings. Then it seems to lose power suddenly, like the throttle was pulled back to just above idle. Only the throttle is still at cruise setting. Usually, I can pull the lever back for a few minutes, cruising at just a few knots, then slowly advance it again, and get back up on plane. Then the cycle starts over again every several minutes or so. I limp back to the dock this way.

This has happened the last three or four times I went out. It doesn't die, just loses RPM. I seem to have no difficulty starting, and this is the only problem I have noticed. Any ideas? Any and all help is appreciated.

Bryan

 

[kjburr08]

Re: Force 125 loses power

I don't know a whole lot about this, but my first guess would be the prop slipping. Just a guess as I had a motor do this aswell.

 

[kjburr08]

Re: Force 125 loses power

how does it handle when you just full throttle it from a low speed? does it lose power then?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Force 125 loses power

Most likely it's a fuel issue or a ignition problem. The problem is determining which one it is because the problem is somewhat intermittent.

Check the spark when you start having the problem. See if you are getting a good blue snap from the arc across the plug gap on all spark plugs.

Also try squeezing the primer bulb a 3 or 4 times to see if that has any affect.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Force 125 loses power

I'll bet that just like capacitors fail, either you stator or one of the CD boxes is heating up and shorting thus no spark to one or two cylinders. I would suspect the CD box before the stator since the box DOES have capacitors inside.

It cools down and works for a while until it heats again. Very Frustrating

As said above, when the problem occurs again, check for spark.

 

[BWSmith]

Re: Force 125 loses power

Hey, guys,

Thanks for all the speedy responses. It's like clockwork, happening around two yours into my run around the bay. It handles well and has plenty of power at 50-plus-percent power. I can adjust the throttle and advance again with no apparent problems. Then it just retards to around idle, slows rapidly and settles into maybe five knots or less, then as I explained above, this repeats until I dock. I have never stayed out beyond this and still have half a tank (20 gal capacity) at the time of occurrence. It takes maybe twenty mins to reach the ramp, so it does not recover within this timeframe.

Frank, do you suggest I replace the parts you suggested? Is there a way to test them? Thanks to all again.

Bryan

 

[BWSmith]

Re: Force 125 loses power

Just re-read the above. Late night and was not paying attention. My questions were answered and I will try this when next I have engine running.

Bryan