1989 bayliner capri

[jim763]

I was thinking of purchasing a 17.5ft 89' Bayliner Capri with a 85hp Chrysler/Force L-drive I/O 3cylinder motor from a friend. This boat is in very good condition, except it appears to be stuck in gear and won't start because it's stuck in gear. This boat is at my house and I haven't paid for it yet.<br /><br />I've called everyone in town and most tell me to stay clear from this boat because the "L-Drive" design is nothing but trouble. Also no one is willing to do repair work on it because it's not the easiest to work on. Just from this info, I know I shouldn't purchase this thing.<br /><br />For $1000.00 this boat I believe is worth it but I don't want to get stuck adding $2000.00 in repairing the lower unit. When we turn the ignition key the lower unit and steering wheel rotates with the engine flywheel. when the lower unit reaches its max rotation, the flywheel stops rotating. On the other hand I can rotate the steering wheel and the engine flywheel doesn't rotate. Hope this makes sense. <br /> <br />My question is does anyone have ideas on how to convert this motor and drive to something more reliable and serviceable? like say a Merc crusier? I kinda think this paticular boat design will only accept an L-drive inboard. So I guess I'll give this boat back to the owner unless someone can provide me with any alternative. If you do I'd greatly appreciated your ideas.<br />Thanks, Jim

 

[Realgun]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

Run and hide that thing! The L drive was a good idea that doesn't work. I know as a force outboard owner nobody wants to fix them however easy it is in some instances. I bought that 1000 dollar boat and believe me you will be into it 2500 before you know it.<br /><br />But its your decision just don't get the "I love this boat and no other mentality".

 

[JB]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

You've got some good advice, there, Jim.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

You won't have to spend $2000 on parts to get it fixed, because you will not be able to find the parts. <br /><br />Give it back before this contraption eats up your savings, becomes an eyesore sitting in your yard, and ruins your friendship. thanks but no thanks<br /><br />No way to use a different drive system, and no way to use a different motor.<br /><br />Use the "search" feature above and see all the serious problems people are having.<br /><br />Only option is to toss out the motor, toss out the drive, rebiuld and reinforce the transom, and then buy a 90hp outboard to hang on the back.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

well, i on the other hadn love my L drive. i go out into the ocean all the time and go tubing all the time. had only one problem and that was my fault for messing it up, (choke assy) but i find parts on ebay all the time. i have the 120 and think its great. just needs religous maintenance, which i do. i have messed with unit and know that it will get stuck in gear if its not lubed. add some lube and see if it goes into neutral. also check the shift cable. i dont know what u mean about the steering wheel and fly wheel though. i would check out the compression also.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

yeah, right.<br />Here are a few quotes from Boater Dude in reference to his Force L Drive in the last two months:<br /><br />besides shearing about 30 keys in this process its been fun<br /><br />Was it a timing problem? answer: a little of this a little of that, timning, carbs, and CDs<br /><br />ok, i got new carbs, new electrical system etc.<br /><br />also found the key was sheared<br /><br />yea if i spray gas in the carbs then it starts runs at a real high RPM then dies and backfires sometimes.<br /><br />man all this sounds complicated,<br /><br />good news is i got it started. but its revving real high.<br /><br />when i click the key i hear an audible click <br /> the boat wont turn either. this is a bad starter right? or is there a sylonoid somewhere that is fried?<br /><br />volt meter reads 12, and the starter would get very hot <br /><br />it cranked the engine one time then stopped<br /><br />got it fixed, starter shorted<br /><br />just no start really, i think its the carbs but i set them to the specs<br /><br />i had the same problem and it turne out to be a bad stator.<br /><br />i have a post in here that explains my carb situation <br /><br />changing CD packs and stuff to something more reliable?<br /><br />fixed it, loose ground wire to the 1 and 2 cd pack,<br /><br />boat no worky L drive HELP!<br /><br />and like i said all i ahve is no spark<br /><br />and everything works. . . but the engine.<br /><br />maybe i just have something aligned wrong or something somone please help!<br /><br />if i am gonna have this many problems then maybe its time to go, can i by chance substitute another power head for the force one?<br /><br />working on carbs now<br /><br />NEED HELP ASAP! STATOR POSITION!<br /><br />have replaced the whole electrical system with use parts<br /><br />the carbs are freakin retarded i think, mine got so gummed up i just ordered another.<br /><br />i thought i had thios carb thing figured out but i dont. <br /><br />battery terminals hot after 15 seconds of trying to start<br /><br />problem was my engine compartment caught fire !!!!!!<br /><br /> and i have also deceided this is one of the worst ideas for a boat engine so its on ebay now.<br /><br />And today you say: "love my L drive..... had only one problem and that was my fault for messing it up, (choke assy)<br /><br />End of Boater Dude quotes.<br /><br />ONE PROBLEM !! ???<br /><br />Well, you may love your l drive, but it has hardly been reliable and certainly not cheap. I hope it lasts forever for you and turns out to be reliable from here forward, but I could never recommend this engine/drive system to anyone.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

lol, its true but now that i think about it, i had those problems because i invented them. the simple problem with mine was. . . bad choke. wouldnt start. i have loads of spare parts now. all of which. . . work. i take my L drive out constantly and have had no further problems. so therefore i sum up my boat with two rpoblems. Me as the mechanic and the faulty choke. all in all i am pleased.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

Hope it stays working for you BD. You might want to carry a marine radio with you if you go too far out in the ocean.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

me too

 

[mieufarmer]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

SEA-TOW is my friend, HAHAHAHA. Hey, I've got an '89 Capri W/ 125 L drive just like BD's, I just got it runing again. I got mine for $200.00 with and Eazy load roll on trailer. Great deal? Read this <br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=33;t=005888#000000 <br /> I had to rebuild my power head. Just parts was $859.00 Mechine work I done it for free. For you it should'nt be no more than $250.00<br /> Are you REAL GOOD at being a Mech? go ahead buy it. If not don't do it. Like Boater dude I too like my L drive because it's weird. I've got a lot of resources to use for free or real cheap. If I didn't it would have been cut up a long time ago. Have fun. oh ya, Take a friend a 17ft boat is a ***** to paddle by yourself, HAHAHAHA. FARM DAWG

 

[mieufarmer]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

I just reread this. Jim it's not suck in gear. The lower bearing on the u jiont shaft in the L dive unit is bad. CC6207ss $28.00. Get a book and have fun. FarmDawg

 

[Baldguy]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

I had an L drive and never had a problem. Kept it maintained and was easy on it. The shift cable attachment to the drive was the culprit when I couldn't get it into gear one day. There's a set screw that holds the cable in place on the lever on the lower unit. See if that's the problem.<br /><br />A lot of the L drive parts are interchangeable with a Force outboard lower unit.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

again for the record i love my L drive (right now)

 

[dinotestino]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

No Selling
2005 post

 

[Matthew A.]

Re: 1989 bayliner capri

As with all O.B.s. Run'em often and rinse them even more often and keep them in tune and...you maybe able to forgo that second morgage until next year. And...maybe...just maybe you might even have enough money to keep the wife from leaving ya too.