50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

[mklinger]

I have a new to me boat. 89 Spectrum 1706 with a 50 FORCE.
I started it up when I bought it and I thought I had run it throttle only for a bit to test it out. Now when I put the boat in the water today I couldnt get the controls to work in the throttle only possition. It has the kind of control that you pull out to use throttle only.
Other than this it works fine. Its cold out here so it would be nice to be able to rev the engine a little to get it warmed up and running when first starting. now that I'm back home I'm messing with it and it still wont open the throttle when I try to run it throttle only. Only if it in the normal position where it shifts and then operates the throttle it will work.

any ideas?

thanks

 

[mklinger]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

not sure if I'm making much sense here. it seems like when I pull the control lever out it wants to move the throttle cable, but there is a shaft on the engine that is preventing the throttle from opening without the gears being engaged. I don't understand how I can make this work. anyone familiar with this 89 Force 50 hp and US Marine controls? thanks much.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

If you pay really close attention, you will see that in throttle only position, you can only push the handle so far. This is a safety that limits throttle opening to a crack and timing advance to a couple of degrees. The engine will rev to somewhere around 1500-2000 RPM in neutral and that's it.

 

[mklinger]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

There is maybe 1/16" space that it can move before hitting the tang on the shft on the motor. At that point it doesnt look like the Cam or whatever its called is even contacting the ball on the lever that opens the throttle. I think the cable or something here must need adjustment.
I did take the boat out again this afternoon. starts right up just using the choke. tried pulling out the control lever and reving but it didnt do anything. idles slightly rough until I run it a little, otherwise it seems to be running good.
another question: Do most boats have a tachometer on them? is it hard to attach aftermarket one to this motor?
really apreciate the help. glad I found this forum

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

Assuming the engine is also an 89, the roller on the carb should be adjusted so that when the line on the cam is pointed at it, the roller should just contact the cam. The roller is mounted on an eccentric screw so if you loosen the nut behind it you can turn it in toward the cam or out. Some of these engines had an adjustable screw on the shift bar that will set the limit of movement. If there is no screw, then you are stuck ith what movement it makes.

However, tis movemt or clearance is also dependent upon the idle stop screw setting. If the idle is set too high to compensate for bad plugs or a poorly running engine, then there will be very little movemt left for warm-up in neutral.

It would be helpful if you could post a photo or two of the carb and shift lever sde of the engine

 

[mklinger]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

You may be on to something. The idle screw is turned in quite far by the looks of it and that may be causing my issue. I found that my lower spark plug boot just bareley "pops" onto the plug. I had made sure it was on last time out and it ran fine, but I noticed after a short while it didnt run as good. Now I checked it and it was in fact just on the plug not really poped onto it. seems like the end is worn out. I'm getting a new set of them in at the parts store this afternoon along with new plugs. hoping this will get it running better then the idle can be turned down and this issue will be solved. I will let you know how it turns out.
what plugs do you prefer? NGK BUHX or Champion UL18V? it currently has champion, but I'm partial to NGK as I run them in my snowmobiles.

thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

I don't prefer either--they are both good brands. With me it comes down to what is available at the time and place I buy them. Unless the plugs are damaged or the center electrode is worn at or below the insulator, these plugs can be cleaned with a green scrub pad (Scotchbrite). Work the pad in between the center and shell with your fingernail.

They will foul a little sooner than a new plug but can be cleaned over and over again. I have some plugs that are at least 10 years old.

So: Buy new if you prefer or clean them if you want to save a couple of bucks.

 

[mklinger]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

new plugs and boots. not sure if it was my problem or not. I adjusted the linkage on the shaft that goes to the cam out a little so I could back off the idle screw a little more and adjusted the roller. This gave me a little more space so the engine will rev in neutral as it should. have it running good on land, should be good to go here.

Now the next concern I have: I ran the motor in a large water tank since muffs are hard to fit on this. when I raised the motor out and was cleaning up, I noticed water was running out of the front starboard bolt that holds the lower unit on. (4 bolts all together with water coming from just the one.) The bolt is tight. is this suppose to happen or what could be going on here? it was a steady stream for 15 seconds or so.

thanks for the help

 

[1955]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

hello I have a 1986 force 50 and the same thing was going on with me. I was trying to get the shifter to go into neutral with out trying to star the motor and it would not work. I then put muffs on motor started water and turned key then pulled shifter arm out and it went into neutral no problem. On mine I can go to full throttle. Not sure why it would not work until I turned the key first???

 

[skyeagle76567]

Re: 50 hp FORCE Throttle only wont work

new plugs and boots. not sure if it was my problem or not. I adjusted the linkage on the shaft that goes to the cam out a little so I could back off the idle screw a little more and adjusted the roller. This gave me a little more space so the engine will rev in neutral as it should. have it running good on land, should be good to go here.

Now the next concern I have: I ran the motor in a large water tank since muffs are hard to fit on this. when I raised the motor out and was cleaning up, I noticed water was running out of the front starboard bolt that holds the lower unit on. (4 bolts all together with water coming from just the one.) The bolt is tight. is this suppose to happen or what could be going on here? it was a steady stream for 15 seconds or so.

thanks for the help

In answer to your next concern...the lower unit has a drain hole cast into it to drain the water out of the mid section.