Changing reeds

[fisheymikey]

you could go ahead and do like most of us have done.. change everything but i know your problem. if you have all the time in the world you could look at all my posts and you will end up were im gonna tell you.(90% sure)

your plugs are doing exactly what mine were. the CDI are not running right. they are doing the job but with my small greek mind all those capacitors, resistors diods ind the cdi are sending signal to slow not enough or what ever.

go with stuff you must do anyway, rebuild pump, clean carbs, put everything into specs. check resistance in coils,stator trigger. replace ALL connectors and if everything checks out...BUY 2 NEW CDI's

i spent 1k changing coil pack head gaskets port gaskets 100hrs pulling my hair but at the end it wasthe cdi's. there is no way to test them. with all the respect to the gentlemen here that have helped me out. cdi are a component impossible to diagnose. even if someone says it was running on my engine i dont believe it because there is no way to test them they are just assuming period.

 

[Faztbullet]

Before spending money on electrical check your cooling system as if running to cold your plugs will look like that....

 

[SkiDad]

Before spending money on electrical check your cooling system as if running to cold your plugs will look like that....

are you saying check to see if the thermostat is stuck open ? I think that is original too as the screws still have paint on them.

 

[fisheymikey]

i am also assuming faztbullets is talking about your thermostat.

i would also check that and most likely its fine. to troubleshoot your thermostat have just before boiling water in a pot, dunk the thermostat see if it changes the resistance. also it happens sand and dirt gets stuck in there, while you do that flush the engine threw the thermostat hole. be carefull ppl have broken the flat screws due to corrosion. make sure you have a the right size screw driver i used a rachet to remove the first time.

also just for good measure i always reinstall bolts with nickel antiseize.

but just for the record i also changed that...lol

 

[fmt2bx]

are you saying check to see if the thermostat is stuck open ? I think that is original too as the screws still have paint on them.

Hey Skidad,

Any update?

I read your thread and this site should have an "I feel your pain" icon!!

I had some of the same issues with my 86 125HP Force last year. I really can't give you some expert advise here but let me tell you what made a difference. Keep in mind that I had more than one issue with the motor which made it hard to troubleshoot.

I followed the suggestion I got here. I installed some clear fuel lines in the fuel recycling system, it help see what was going on in there and even though the fuel was flowing, I could see some black particles (maybe carbon) mixed with the fuel. I removed the "bones shape" looking plates. Each of them has a reed and a filter as well as tiny holes. The filters and reeds were a bit dirty. Re-installed with new gaskets and sorry to say but there wasn't any noticeable difference.

Replaced intake reeds (with original type reeds), got some improvement, running smoother and sounded better but still had start issues.

Rebuilt the fuel pump, no difference.

Can't tell you how many times I messed with the fuel mixture and idle speed and that was so frustrating, seemed ok one day and worse the next.

Then my trigger failed, I replaced that and still not running quite right. At that point I changed all the electronic components, stator, CDI, regulator and coils.
Wow, now that made a huge difference in every aspect of how this motor runs.

I cannot be certain of what made the difference as I had changed everything but it definitively made a difference.

I never changed my thermostat and like you I wouldn't be surprised if it's still the original one.

So basically, if you can leave with the issue I wouldn't spend $ on new electronic component until one fails. What I would suggest is to get some clear fuel lines for the recycling system and a clear fuel filter (if you don't have one yet). That is terrific way to see whats going on and excellent for piece of mind.

I hope you resolve your issue soon..

Cheers,

Frederic


PS: If you are interested I can send you pics of the work I did last year.

 

[tommarvin]

1. We always start our 125 in fast idle no choke when warm or hot, We don't fight it anymore. There just big, old, two stroke gas hogs,give her some gas when starting.

 

[fmt2bx]

Hey, wanted to let you know, see post: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...142855-thermostat-replacement-on-86-force-125
My thermostat was totally busted, Since I replaced it, I can idle for hours and engage gear without any issues. I had setup my idle a bit high in order to avoid stalling when shifting, since new Tstat I had to lower it back down. Neutral RPM are around 900, Idle in gear 750/800 RPM.
I also noticed that when I go form WOT to idle (neutral) the RPM initially is around 1200 then settles down to 900/1000 within a few sec. Wasn't like that before.

So, I don't know if this is your issue but it might be interesting to check (hopefully, yours will be easier).

Cheers