1994 Force 120HP Backfiring and dies at idle help

The Wooz

Recruit
Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
4
I have a 1994 120 hp motor that runs great at half to full speed but when I idle down it backfires and dies. I had the compression checked and it is 140 on all cylinders and I don't smell a gas leak at all. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
 

henleyhale

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
136
Does is backfire or afterfire? Afterfire is in the exhaust a backfire is through the carbs. You could be running rich, does she crank up fast from a cold start? Like, a little too fast? Do you see smoke or smell somthing not right? Do your plugs look really dark and carboned up? If you answered yes to any of those issues think carburetor if your answered no think timing advance is stuck in the higher range, or back to carburetor your high speed jets may be dumping fuel like your floats are bad or some odd,

so lets start at how does she start?
 

Jiggz

Captain
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
3,909
Do you know for sure the engine is not misfiring? Can you ran it in idle and then do the plug wire pull test to see if the rpm changes or engine stalls?
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,183
Start with cleaning/ setting the carbs.
The low speed jet might be clogged.
Then while they're off check the reeds and check for any cracked or broken.
Check the fuel pump diaphragm.
 

The Wooz

Recruit
Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
4
I will check the carburetors tomorrow and run some of these tests and let you know.
Thanks
 
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