1998 force 120 starting issue

wideopen98

Cadet
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
26
just bought the boat, 98 25 foot party barge with 120 force and put some muffs on it and a brand new 815 cca marine battery on her and it spun over good and started for a brief period of maybe 5 seconds then died, went to crank it agian a few more times and it spins over real slow as if the battery is low on a car, tried a few more times and it would go fast and then stop and go slow, i hooked a jumper pack that my next door neighbor had and it still did the slow thing(he said it could be his jumper was dead too..ive read that it could be corroded batt cables or the starter...charged the battery just in case it was low from sittin on the shelve and havent tried again yet, the starter was getting real hot to the touch and i dont want to burn it up...anyone have the problem?
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,183
Re: 1998 force 120 starting issue

First,load test the battery after a full charge.
Check all connections.
Then a compression test.Remove all plugs.
Clean the starter.
 

mla2ofus

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
571
Re: 1998 force 120 starting issue

I had that problem on my 90 HP Force. The starter bushings were dry. After taking it apart and greasing the bushings it's worked great for 3 yrs.
Mike
 

wideopen98

Cadet
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
26
Re: 1998 force 120 starting issue

dont have the tools to do a compression test and the motor has always ran great per the owner and i trust him since he lives close, will check connections, as far as load testing do i just hook a voltmeter to the battery while cranking and does the starter just unbolt to take it off and how do i open it up? thanks
 

mla2ofus

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
571
Re: 1998 force 120 starting issue

See if you can squirt a little oil on the bendix end of the starter shaft to see if that will improve the cranking speed. If it does then remove the starter, put index marks on nose piece, field housing and end piece w/ hack saw or cold chisel so everything goes back together the way it came apart. It's easier to get the armature in the field housing and the brushes on the commutator before tying to put the nose piece on.
Mike
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,183
Re: 1998 force 120 starting issue

Just a couple 3 bolts to drop the starter.Then usually the starter is 2 long bolts.Can be a little tricky to reassemble.I use electrical tape to hold the brushes down.A touch of grease on the worm gear and the bushings/bearings.
Most auto part stores loan tools.A compression tester is a very important tool to have.
I test my motors at least 2-3 times a year.
Just cause it ran great for the PO don't mean anything??? Why is he selling???
 

wideopen98

Cadet
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
26
Re: 1998 force 120 starting issue

thanks for all the help guys...he is selling because he works a full time job and has his own biz on the side and is making it a fulltime thing and doesnt have time or want any extra expenses, i trust him...anyways i will try this weekend with these tips and let yall know whats the deal!
 
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