1990 Force 120 not starting

[Tylerc420]

So, I had it at my house with muffs on and I turned it over, cranked fine and started twice. Brought it to the water and it would still crank fine, wouldn’t start at all. Would crank and then act like it was going to start but then die immediately... any ideas? Key on, neutral 3/4 throttle, choked for 5secs then released, pumped gas in system.

 

[Jiggz]

The best next thing to do is to use a large trash can and try running it with the LU under water, kinda like simulating being in the lake or harbor. If it would start on muffs but not under water, most likely the idle is set too low or the idle mixture screw is set too low.

Try raising the idle mixture screw to 1 1/2 turn out and see if that will make it start under water.

 

[Tylerc420]

The best next thing to do is to use a large trash can and try running it with the LU under water, kinda like simulating being in the lake or harbor. If it would start on muffs but not under water, most likely the idle is set too low or the idle mixture screw is set too low.

Try raising the idle mixture screw to 1 1/2 turn out and see if that will make it start under water.

Ok, I know the 2 screws on the carbs are the idle mix, they were at like 3 1/2 turns of something before and I changed it at the dock, tried different positions didn’t work, how do you adjust the idle?

 

[jerryjerry05]

If the air screws were set at 3+ turns the fuel mix was probably too rich and the plugs might need changing/
cleaning.
Start at the 1 1/2 turns out.
Change the plugs and try again.

To set the idle? read the first 3 posts in this forum.
One of them has directions on setting the idle.

Since the motors in a flooded state, try a small shot of staring fluid.
Just a little, a bunch can do damage.

To use the choke: turn the key and push in to choke.
Let the motor turn until it starts, coughs, fires.
Then turn he key without pushing in the choke.
Usually one time choking is enough.

Does the ball pump up firm?

 

[Tylerc420]

If the air screws were set at 3+ turns the fuel mix was probably too rich and the plugs might need changing/
cleaning.
Start at the 1 1/2 turns out.
Change the plugs and try again.

To set the idle? read the first 3 posts in this forum.
One of them has directions on setting the idle.

Since the motors in a flooded state, try a small shot of staring fluid.
Just a little, a bunch can do damage.

To use the choke: turn the key and push in to choke.
Let the motor turn until it starts, coughs, fires.
Then turn he key without pushing in the choke.
Usually one time choking is enough.

Does the ball pump up firm?

Ball pumps up nice and firm, it’s getting gas to the carbs.
i put the fuel mix at 1 1/2 turns each, going to change the plugs, took them all out and they were all dirty besides the very top plug, had no spark. Going to buy a new coil as well for it and see what happens

 

[Jiggz]

Having no spark is not as simple as a coil replacement. Make sure you do all diagnosis first before spending $$$.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Yup don't buy until you test????
Try swapping the coils.
The older Forces had a problem with the trigger leads, they were very thin and would break under
the shrinkwrap.
Try the tug test, pull on the #1 lead and see if it is loose.
If so?? replace all the wire connectors on all the wires.

 

[Tylerc420]

Yeah wasn’t the coil, I did the tests on it and also lost spark in #2 as I didn’t have spark in #1 before. I bought a new receiver box for it and it starts fine now