I have reviewed the archived posts on the subject of sudden power loss with Force outboards. I am in the troubleshooting phase with mine and would appreciate suggestions on where to look for the underlying problem(s).
I use the boat exclusively on a lake that is at 9000 feet. I have experienced a sudden loss of power this summer and can only rarely get the engine over 2300 RPMs. Prior to the problem, it would reach 4000 RPMs unless I overloaded the boat with grandkids and their dads and their gear. The engine still starts easily (and smokes a fair amount) and when at full throttle the engine goes up to 2100 RRMs quickly and then just languishes there while the boat (19' Bayliner Capri) plows through the water. The boat doesn't have enough power to plane.
I suspected that the problem was fuel related and cleaned out the tea-strainer screen, which didn't correct the problem. I added an in-line electrical fuel pump and filter; it didn't help. I removed both the filter and the pump and found that I had to keep the electrical fuel pump in-line or the engine would die. When the pump is on and I'm at full throttle, I still cannot get the engine over 2300 RPMs very often (rarely actually). I purchased a fuel pump repair kit for the Force engine and installed a new diaphragm. Easy and low cost repair, but still no correction, and I still have to have the in-line electric fuel pump on in order for the engine to run, even at 2300 RPMs.
I am going to the lake next week where I keep the boat and am going to do some more tests. I will check the compression of all four cylinders. I will clean the spark plugs and then check the spark on the spark plugs. I'll have a good volt/ohm meter with me but don't know how to check the staters or the coils. It has been over 2 years since the carbs have received any service.
Given that I will be 4 hours from a service and service parts location, are there things that I should/could check that might lead me to the underlying problem(s)?
Thanks in advance for the help.
ernrays
I use the boat exclusively on a lake that is at 9000 feet. I have experienced a sudden loss of power this summer and can only rarely get the engine over 2300 RPMs. Prior to the problem, it would reach 4000 RPMs unless I overloaded the boat with grandkids and their dads and their gear. The engine still starts easily (and smokes a fair amount) and when at full throttle the engine goes up to 2100 RRMs quickly and then just languishes there while the boat (19' Bayliner Capri) plows through the water. The boat doesn't have enough power to plane.
I suspected that the problem was fuel related and cleaned out the tea-strainer screen, which didn't correct the problem. I added an in-line electrical fuel pump and filter; it didn't help. I removed both the filter and the pump and found that I had to keep the electrical fuel pump in-line or the engine would die. When the pump is on and I'm at full throttle, I still cannot get the engine over 2300 RPMs very often (rarely actually). I purchased a fuel pump repair kit for the Force engine and installed a new diaphragm. Easy and low cost repair, but still no correction, and I still have to have the in-line electric fuel pump on in order for the engine to run, even at 2300 RPMs.
I am going to the lake next week where I keep the boat and am going to do some more tests. I will check the compression of all four cylinders. I will clean the spark plugs and then check the spark on the spark plugs. I'll have a good volt/ohm meter with me but don't know how to check the staters or the coils. It has been over 2 years since the carbs have received any service.
Given that I will be 4 hours from a service and service parts location, are there things that I should/could check that might lead me to the underlying problem(s)?
Thanks in advance for the help.
ernrays
