1998 Force 120 starting issues

[tallcontrol]

I have a 1998 Force 120hp and am the original owner. This year the motor is very hard to start. First start is usually not the problem but after running it and shutting it down and then trying restart is. It will start after a long period of cranking or you start with throttle up higher than idle or if you choke it it will fire initially and then eventually start after cranking for a while. As of yesterday it will sometimes die when putting it into gear. There are no issues once running idling or cruising the problem occurs when restarting. Any thoughts on where I should start?
Thanks

 

[pnwboat]

When was the last time you changed the fuel pump diaphragm? Also this might be a good time to check compression.

 

[pantaloonz]

Good Morning

You are stating you need to throttle it up and choke it a lot to get it running. Then it sometimes dies going in gear. It does sound like it's not getting enough fuel.

How old are your fuel lines?
Is the squeeze/prime bulb firm ?
If you do investigate the fuel pump it's a good time to make sure the fuel pick up line is good, no cracks, or gummed up.

-Pantz

 

[Jiggz]

My bet is on the fuel pump diaphragm unless one of the cylinders has a bad compression. Try squeezing the primer bulb when it is hard to start and see if that makes a difference. It it does, then it is definitely the diaphragm.