85 HP Force hard to crank

[BoatinWis]

Hello everyone! We've been having some great weather out here in Wisconsin (no rain though ) I would like to get the '84 Bayliner back in the water for some water activities. Was out skiing yesterday and wife was driving. Anyhow as long as I've had it, it sometimes has a complex with turning over. But as of yesterday on the lake, it shutdown after she slowed down and we could not restart it. Cranks slowly, really slowly, like a 1/4 turn or less at a time. I could not pull start it with a rope since it seemed like it had sooo much compression. Had to use the trolling motor to get back to the pier. At home I tried to jump it, same thing. tried to jump the starter directly, same thing really slow. Took out the plugs and it turns over easily with key and can turn it slowly by hand. Put them back in and same thing, cranks slowly. Is this the starter? Just curious why I couldn't even pull start it though, should be able too, right? Any help is much appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

You will have to isolate the source by lowering the lower unit and then see if you can now crank it over( just a quick burst) with the starter (do not run the engine by actviting the kill switch while cranking). If not, then the problem is in the power head (which is unlikely) or the starter might need cleaning or replacement. If it will crank over easily with the LU disconnected, check the impeller and see if it is still intact. If it is, you should be able to turn the driveshaft with hand with gear disengaged. If not, there might be a problem with the gearing inside. Drain oil and visual check for metal chips.

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Thanks for the response. I was just adjusting the trim for steering and the prop is seized, can't turn at all by hand. So problem is probably the gearing, right?

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Also took off the LU (snapped a bolt in the process) and it still turns over slowly, very slowly. Also still can't turn the prop, drained the oil and was ok with no metal chips

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Make sure the battery is well charged. Remove all the plugs apply WD-40 in each cylinder and then test for compression. As for the LU, check the status of the impeller. It can actually jam the driveshaft if disintegrated already.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Remove the plugs and do a compression test.
Don't add oil or WD as it seals the rings and pumps up the compression readings.
You want the real #s when doing a compression test.
Do a spark test too.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

You mentioned that you got it home and took the plugs out and it spun easily. I assume you mean that it would spin over like it should normally? If so, I would suspect that you either have a bad starter, or bad battery, or bad battery connection. Have the battery tested, clean all of the battery cable connections (both positive and negative cables). If those things check out, I would say your starter is bad.

When you tried to pull start it, was it in gear? You should be able to pull start it with no problems using a rope, but it has to be in neutral.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Low compression on one cylinder will make it hard to turn over.
Pulling the plugs will just relieve the pressure.
The starter(how old)take it apart and check/clean/replace the brushes.

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

I will try these things soon here. When I pull started it, it was in neutral, but could barely pull it. Like I said I took off the LU and it still has same problem. I also tried jumping it from the truck, no luck, same. Then tried directly to starter, same thing. Starter is old, has '88 stamped on it. Should I bother cleaning it or just replace? Not sure how I can compression test it and spark test when it barely turns over. Is it still possible to test on a 1/4 turn?

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Also, does anyone have a link to cleaning the starter and replacing brushes and also taking out the impeller in the LU? That would be greatly appreciated as well. And thanks for all the help!!

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

The procedure for replacing the impeller is on the sticky list on the very top of the page forum. As for replacing brushes, the brush kits cost around $25 or you can get a non-oem starter for around twice that amount. For non-oem search google is you closest friend.

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Alright update...I got it to turn over nicely by doing the cleaning and charging of the battery. BTW ,Does this motor charge the battery as I drive?? I have the LU off and went in to take a look at impeller, looks great. prop is still seized, I can't turn it by hand with the LU off. What would this be, should I continue to take that next plate off and check gearing or should the prop even be able to spin freely??

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Another update. for the prop not turning issue. Took off the next plate, everything looked clean. Then I took off the prop, as soon as I loosened it I could turn it again. Hmm I thought, I tightened it back up. Seized again. WTF?? Took it off again. The thingy under the prop has two small screws in it, was not screwed on at all, just laying in there with screws all the way out. I installed it and put prop back on, now seems ok. Weird. Now to put the LU back on. Any tips?? I would appreciate. And BTW, I broke a bolt off (1 of the six, last one on the left side) while taking off the LU. Also noticed no 7th bolt under the exhaust tab. Think I can just use the 5 bolts and install the last 7th and be ok. Asking because I tried to extract the broken and the extractor also snapped off inside the broken bolt. Sucker is stuck bad. Thanks Again!!

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Re-installing the LU is better than with two people. You make sure you read the last part of the impeller replacement procedure in the sticky note it will give you some guidance also. The reason for two people is to make is easier for the spline to mesh while pushing in the driveshaft with on person turning the flywheel (remove plugs to move it easier). Always turn CW looking from the top with the flywheel.

 

[BoatinWis]

Re: 85 HP Force hard to crank

Does anyone have any tips on getting the shift linkage rod back in?? Havin a hellovatime!!