84-87? 40hp Force

[Stevehood1]

Hello everyone! Bear with me as I am a newbie on both this board and on outboard motors in general.<br /><br />What in the serial number of my 40hp Force will tell me the year or what site can I go to to find this out?<br /><br />The water that is supposed to spray from the motor to show it is getting cool is not visable-I read that Force motors shoot that water from somewhere else-Is that true and where??<br /><br />Sometimes it seems like white steam is coming from the motor, I'll stop, pull it up, check for weeds, put it back down, and it will go away and run fine the rest of the day. Could it be overheating or temporary clog?<br /><br />Sometimes it'll get a "hic-up" while running it-like ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-kikk-ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-kikkk-ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh etc and then it will go away-any ideas?<br /><br />And to save a million more questions about Force's, which is the best repair/tune-up book to buy for forces?<br /><br />Thanks everyone!!!!!!

 

[steelespike]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Steve, Two common aftermarket manuals are put out by Seloc and Clymer.<br />Available at Book stores,Boat dealers,NAPA,<br />ebay etc.<br />You may be able to find them at the library<br />and check to see which one you like.<br />I have a Seloc for Evinrude/Johnson. It has some helpful notes on things to watch out for.

 

[BHM7952]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Email me your model number and I can tell you the year model. Your model number should be on a metal plate, located on the upper, inside leg of the engine, just below the area where it bolts onto the boat. You may need to turn the engine to one side and possibly wipe away the grime in order to read these numbers. <br />We have sold the factory service manual but I should have the original parts catalog for your engine. $6.00 plus S/H. Many parts in stock also.<br />Email: linda@nu-z.net

 

[steelespike]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Back again.<br /> If you dont know this motor you should replace the water pump (impeller) just to be safe.<br /> If it has been sitting around a lot you should inspect the fuel system for dirt and deposits.<br /> Many times a motor that has been sitting around will run well at first and get gradually worse<br />and worse as gunk from the fuel messes up the fuel system.If youre not mechanical you can get some idea by looking in the tank for water and dirt and inspect the fuel filter at the motor.<br /> Your motor is an orphan and has no factory parts support but there are still some parts available<br />and generic parts should be available for some time.<br />If it was mine I would not invest too much money<br /> unless it proves to be sound and run really well.

 

[Stevehood1]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

The only engine number I found is 0E041306, can you tell me the year from that? <br /><br />Also-The motor has white steam/smoke? coming from the two holes on the back that are above the water line. The two holes are about an inch apart and are a little smaller than the tip of your pinky finger-they are in a rectasngle shaped depression in the back of the motor about 6" below the plastic hood. It doesn't smell like smoke so I think its steam-are these the so called "Pee holes" where the water is supposed to come out for cooling? I read somewhere that Force engines have a pee hole below the water line. <br /><br />Any help appreciated and thanks for the above info!

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Steve. I have a 1989 50 horse Force. Those two holes in the back of the lower leg are idle relief ports and also serve as a tell tale for the cooling system. There should be a spray (not a steady stream) coming out of these holes when the engine is idling. There might also be some exhaust smoke. If you aren't getting a spray from these holes your engine isn't getting enough cooling water and may overheat. Replace your water pump impeller and be safe.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Forgot to mention, it's also a good idea to check the thermostat and replace it if it looks cruddy in any way. Sometimes pieces of an old disintegrating impeller or other debris will lodge behind it as well so pulling the stat will enable you to check this. Good Luck!

 

[Stevehood1]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

No "spray", just a white smoke/steam that sometimes is there for a while, then I stop-I start again and it goes away. Today was the most I've seen it, about 15 mins of white (I'll say steam since it didn't float away far like smoke)<br /><br />So these two holes-are they the so called Pee holes? or is it true the main one is somewhere not easily seen?<br /><br />Also, replacing what you mentioned-an easy job for someone who can take basic things apart and put thme back together (like my pool pump, car stereo-child's bike) or does it require a mechanic?

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

The two holes in the back of the motor are the only tell tale on this engine, and if all you are getting is some steam, then your engine is not getting enough water for adequate cooling and will eventually overheat. An overheat will cause serious damage and cost more to fix than the motor is worth. Get a manual (I have a Clymer) and dont't continue to use the engine until you fix it. You'll need to drop the lower unit to access the water pump. The thermostat is easily accessible with a screwdriver and cheap to replace. On an older engine, it's a good idea to replace the entire water pump and it's not expensive - if you do this yourself you'll save a bundle and learn more about your engine. But do park it until you fix it or you may wind up throwing it out and buying another motor. Good Luck!

 

[Stevehood1]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Thanks for the advice-I will be replacing it! I looked around on other FORCE posts and I think I may have the year wrong. I found this FORCE parts site linked and it states:<br /><br />"40 H.P. (1992-1994) for E000001 THRU E093699" <br /><br />I assume my engine (which is 0E041306) is in that range but anyone know exactly what year?<br /><br />Also, is the Clymer manuel best or are there others I should consider? <br /><br />And a stupid newbie question- when replacing water pump/impeller/thermo-can it be done while boat is in water? (Its on a pontoon in 1-2' deep calm water) Or does the entire engine need to come off and be taken into a garage? Thanks in advance for not laughing

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

The thermostat could be replaced while the boat is in the water, but I wouldn't want to try and pull the lower unit off under these circumstances. It would be better to either pull the boat out and work on the motor while the boat is on the trailer or take the motor off and do the repairs. Seloc also has repair manuals, but I'm not familiar with them. Someone else on the board may be able to tell you the year as I don't have a list. When you get the manual you will have a better idea of what you need to do. Good Luck!

 

[wannabeboater]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

I have a selco repair manual for my 1988 85 HP force..<br /><br />Its pretty helpful, Somewhat easy to follow, has pics of each repair, and well worth the money spent on it. I would recommend them, but I've never used any other so I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[sony2001]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Start with the thermostat right away. Put it in stove top water and see at what temperature it starts to open if at all. If it does work still change it and change the impeller right away or your engine will be good for your second anchor.

 

[Stevehood1]

Re: 84-87? 40hp Force

Thanks again everyone.<br /><br />Got a price of $57 for the water pump kit which includes impeller, and $11 for the thermostat from a local Marina that will order the parts from jersey.<br /><br />I've looked around and can't seem to find these parts anywhere on the web for my model 1994-40hp Force. It seems like everytime someone lists cooling parts for 40hp force it starts with 1996 and newer. When a site does list the 1994 they don't show cooling parts available.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Any suggestions?