1997 50 hp force need help.

[HUBBARD1943]

I have a 50 hp 1997 force outboard and is getting water on the lower plug and is running on one cly. What could be wrong?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

Bad head gasket (check compression), or bad exhaust cover gasket.

 

[HUBBARD1943]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

I checked the compression it is 135/135.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

135 LBS is good. I would replace the exhaust cover gaskets. Item #12 and #14 in the diagram. Water leaks in this area usually show up in the bottom cylinder. Gravity pulls the water down and it enters the bottom cylinder through the exhaust ports.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc2/Force/50%20H.P.%20%281997%29/0E203000%20THRU%200E287999/CYLINDER%20BLOCK%20ASSEMBLY/parts.html

 

[HUBBARD1943]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

Do you think that i should replace the head gasket just in case? The top plug gets real dirty.

 

[Jeremy90bay]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

Both plugs should be getting very dirty. If you have 1 staying clean its possible that that cyl has no spark.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

While I don't see the need to change the head gasket just yet, it's easy to do and relatively inexpensive so it's up to you.

 

[HUBBARD1943]

Re: 1997 50 hp force need help.

I checked spark with in line spark tester, I am getting good spark. If I put in a dry plug the cly will fire and run good for a little while. When I pull the plug out it has water beeds on it. I will go ahead and oder the gaskets you recomend. Thanks for your help.