1998 Bayliner (98 Force 120hp) Throttle Issue

bingbong

Cadet
Joined
Mar 28, 2012
Messages
21
I bought a boat that had been sitting for a bit. I took it out this weekend and when I push the throttle forward, it slowly raises back up on its own. Any ideas on how to resolve this?

Thanks
 

riptorn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
433
Re: 1998 Bayliner (98 Force 120hp) Throttle Issue

Replace the spring at the motor carbs with a weaker one if you feel that safe wise. My 1988 85hp comes back slowly.
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: 1998 Bayliner (98 Force 120hp) Throttle Issue

That should have a Mercury control box. Come back and let us know which control box it is.

I don't remember but perhaps someone else can chime in: The control box usually (at least on earlier Force engines) has a handle drag tensioner--some sort of turning knob near the back. This will adjust the amount of friction on the handle so it will stay at one setting. You don't want to set it so tight that it becomes difficult to move the control handle. Typically though, the control handle will come back from full throttle to cruise position and stay there with hands off.
 

foodfisher

Captain
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
3,756
Re: 1998 Bayliner (98 Force 120hp) Throttle Issue

Could be a safety feature in case of man overboard without a kill switch.
 

riptorn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
433
Re: 1998 Bayliner (98 Force 120hp) Throttle Issue

That should have a Mercury control box. Come back and let us know which control box it is.

I don't remember but perhaps someone else can chime in: The control box usually (at least on earlier Force engines) has a handle drag tensioner--some sort of turning knob near the back. This will adjust the amount of friction on the handle so it will stay at one setting. You don't want to set it so tight that it becomes difficult to move the control handle. Typically though, the control handle will come back from full throttle to cruise position and stay there with hands off.
Interesting, another thing I will check out on mine because it does that same thing.
 

bentle

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2011
Messages
492
Re: 1998 Bayliner (98 Force 120hp) Throttle Issue

I have a 94 120 force with the same problem. I generally keep one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the shifter and works for me, makes sharp turning a pain but other than that its ok. I did go out and look it over and was unable to find anything that might tighten it up a bit.I suspect that from years of use that it wore out a bit.
Keep one hand on the shifter and the other on the wheel and hold on.
By the way yours should have the saftey kill switch right on the shifter housing.
 
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