50 hp force starting, but idles low and dies out shortly after

jmilla

Cadet
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
21
i have a 50 hp force 1990-91 motor. i know i have not heard the best things about these motors, but i got this free boat so i figured id take what i can get haha. i just finished running a new steering cable and i put in a new cdi module, but its been sitting in my driveway for 4 months and i dont know how long it was in the other guys. i finally got it started by using some jump starting spray and it fired up but died 15 to 30 seconds later. at first i thought it was because the fuel line wasnt sealed well, but i got it all secure and its still having problems. im not sure what it could be maybe fuel filter is what i thought, but id like to get other people's opinion. im not a mechanic by any means im just a high school student who loves working on boats and figuring new things out. plus i could not say no to a free boat haha. thank you for your input
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,183
Re: 50 hp force starting, but idles low and dies out shortly after

Do a compression, spark test.
Then check the fuel pump diaphram,clean the carb.J
 

carholme

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
4,845
Re: 50 hp force starting, but idles low and dies out shortly after

Is this the engine you are going to use on your Starcraft? As others have cautioned you, I would be a bit leery about taking that out to big water with just the 50 on it.

Hope it works out for you but be careful, that is a big boat for that power.

Gerry
 

foodfisher

Captain
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
3,756
Re: 50 hp force starting, but idles low and dies out shortly after

Runs with the spray. Engine works. Check the parts of the fuel system. Research here. Answers to my questions have been answered here, for years, just through research.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,183
Re: 50 hp force starting, but idles low and dies out shortly after

These 50's run on 1 cylinder. The basics, compression,spark,fuel.
Your just learning, then learn the right way.
A compression test is the first step in diagnosing any engine problem.
You can borrow a tester at Auto Zone??
Spark testers are a big help. Don't buy cheap ones.They can be bad from the package.
 

jmilla

Cadet
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
21
Re: 50 hp force starting, but idles low and dies out shortly after

Sorry guys i should have said something. the 50 is not going on the starcraft its on the back of a 1978 terry bass boat. i got a 70 hp for the starcraft. i just got this boat for free and was hoping to fix the motor and either sell it or hit the lake for some bass fishing. however i am more of a salt water fishermen, but fishing is fishing. i replaced the cdi with a guy who actually has a boat shop so we checked compression and i dont remember exact numbers but he said it was all good. hopefully this weekend i will get to cleaning carb check fuel system, and testing spark. thanks so much for the advice guys
 
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