50HP Force only idles when put into drive, never revs up, propeller creeps boat forwd

[tman75007]

Just got a used 1985 50hp force. I know nothing about outboards but can do almost anything to a car. So, giving this cheap motor a shot. The motor starts just fine. Idles fine. Put it into forward gear the prop spins, push the throttle down and it stays idleing. The boat slowly moves forward. The engine will not rev up at all even with throttle pushed all the way down.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 50HP Force only idles when put into drive, never revs up, propeller creeps boat f

Well, the first thing you need to do is check for a disconnected throttle cable, either inside the control box or at the engine. Also check for a broken timing tower or a broken ball link at the carb. Check for a broken plastic connector from the top of the timing tower to the plate under the flywheel.

Please post a couple of photos of the control cable side of the engine with the hood off so we can see if they are correctly attached there.

 

[tman75007]

Re: 50HP Force only idles when put into drive, never revs up, propeller creeps boat f

It took a gear puller, wd40 and some whacking with a heavy hammer to get the fly wheel off. There was a mud wasp nest on the timing tower which had one of the black wires imbedded in it. A black wire was snapped from the connector which attached to the black plastic part I think you suggested may have been broken. The nest was attached to the stator which, when throttled, seperated the wire from the connector. So, I guess this is the issue. Question.....the stator plates (???) are not very shiny. Nor is the inside of the fly wheel. Should I shine that up some with a fine grit sand paper? BTW, thanks sooo much for the guidance. I've learned alot about this outboard in a quick time.

 

[tman75007]

Re: 50HP Force only idles when put into drive, never revs up, propeller creeps boat f

Having issues uploading pics. The black wire is about 3.5 inches long. It connects to the black plastic part, there's a curved shiny metal which also attaches, looks like spring loaded against the black plastic part......maybe points part? There are two on these black plastic parts on each side the plate, and two of these short black wires, one for each.

 

[tman75007]

Re: 50HP Force only idles when put into drive, never revs up, propeller creeps boat f

Guess its the breaker point set, and its the leadgroup which is the short black wire??? How picky do I need to be to replace the wires? The other lead looks to be getting worn too. And there is one more long black wire which I think is the wire stator ground, which is dry rotted. I'd like to put new wires on all. Can I just select a decent gauge wire, ad the connectors, and replace the old ones? Or do I need specific wires?

 

[tman75007]

Re: 50HP Force only idles when put into drive, never revs up, propeller creeps boat f

Motor revs now. It was the leader group short black wire which was broken from the points. I made two new ones and replaced both. Thanks for the help.