Need help with a 96 Force 120

[Charlie Ireland]

I am looking at a boat with a 96 force 120 on it. It runs rough. The owner has taken it to a shop and they did a compresion check with 155 on one cylinder and 175 on the other 3. The quick diaganosis without tearing into it was a cracked crankshaft. Does that sound like that could be accurate and if so is it worth rebuilding, and would that ruin the core value on a rebuilt powerhead? Thanks

 

[Charlie Ireland]

Re: Need help with a 96 Force 120

I also might add that the boat is a 96 Bayliner 17ft that has had 2 owners and has been covered, great shape for the age. Can be bought for $1750 with the bad motor.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Need help with a 96 Force 120

The way I understand it, the compression is supposed to be lower on a couple of cylinders in the later 120's
Does it run?
Possible the head gasket is bad, possible the rings are stuck?
Have someone else do a compression/spark test.
Does it bang and knock?
Never heard of a CRACKED CRANKSHAFT??????????????????? WTF???
Never heard of a crank problem lowering the compression either??? Again WTF???
What dealer and where?

Profile? Location?? You might be close to someone who can help.

 

[Charlie Ireland]

Re: Need help with a 96 Force 120

I didn't know about the compresion suspose to be lower on a couple cylinders. The boat does run, it is rough. The boat is in the lake of the Ozarks area. He didn't tell me what shop he took it to. I have many years of experience with car motors and just limited with marine but the cracked crank thing didn't sound right to me. I thought they just broke and there you were. I am planning on taking a friend of mine with me tomorrow to look at it again. He has alot more marine know-how. We will run another compresion test. If there is something else you can think of to look at I really apreciate the help. I havn't had a boat for about 6 years and my wife and kids are excited about getting out on the water this summer. Thought the price good but I don't want to get into something that's a total money pit either. Thanks

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Need help with a 96 Force 120

Clean the plugs when they're out for the compression test.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Need help with a 96 Force 120

Cracked crankshaft? How about cracked mechanic? ----- Does not compute to lower compression on one cylinder. These engines will occasionally BREAK a crankshaft and unless the break is at the cheek, the engine will continue to run. Run really crappy and do all sorts of damage in the process.

Given that no one really knows what is wrong, either run away, or take a gamble and buy the boat considering the engine as a total loss. Then, since you are conversant with auto engines, diagnose the thing yourself and fix it. Outboards, especially Force outboards are easier to work on than 4 cycle auto engines.