Force 50 problems

[davidandleona]

Not being a motorman I'm hoping for a few<br />suggestions to get my 1985 50HP Force outboard running smooth again.<br /> After replacing a starter unit and cables<br />we backed our pontoon boat out of a shallow<br />area only to have it stall seconds after<br />shifting to forward. The engine would restart<br />but immediately stalled again as we shifted.<br /> We cleaned (but have not yet replaced the<br />plugs) and sprayed the cylinders.<br /> A few thoughts from you guys who know<br />what you're doing please!<br /> Thanks in advance.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Force 50 problems

How high is the idle? Do you have the original controls (should have "US BOATS" stamped on it>\?<br />When you pulled the plugs, what condition were they in, IE,wet,black,dry?<br />How old is the fuel in the tank,and has the boat been sitting unused long?<br /><br />You can grab a hold of the throttle control,and pull it out, towards you,then run the idle up. Note, it will not allow you to shift into forward, but will allow you to clear the cylinders enough to get the idle right.<br />With the engine off, check that the prop spins freely in nuetral. If it feels snug,or doesn't turn with one finger, you may have monofiliment or something wrapped-up behind the prop.<br />Get a new pair of plugs,but before changing then run some decarb cleaner thru the engine.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Force 50 problems

While there is no indication that you adjusted the Carb, you may want to check your idle mixture adjustment to ensure you are not too rich. I had the same exact systems after a carb rebuild and I found the mixture set too wide open..

 

[davidandleona]

Re: Force 50 problems

Thanks for the advice gentelmen! I have a<br />fall vacation this week and hope to get that<br />Force 50 running in a dependable fashion.<br /> Since I'm not much of a mechanic I'll pass<br />these suggestions along to two friends who are and see what happens. I'll report back!

 

[davidandleona]

Re: Force 50 problems

OK guys. Here is the latest on my Force 50.<br /> Seems like the guy at the marina finally<br />took a look at the engine just before we<br />started our vacation. It ran great all week!<br /> We asked what he had done and the only thing<br />he would admitt to was "putting in a bigger spark plug" than the one already installed.<br /> Even he said we might need a slight carb<br />adjustment. But,since it ran just fine, I<br />didn't ask any more (he wouldn't get back to it till next year anyway. If,in fact,it does<br />need an adjustment when we get started again (probably next season)just how is that done?<br /> What do we look for? What tools are required and how do you judge when you're got it "just right?"<br /> Thanks again for your input!

 

[JB]

Re: Force 50 problems

He put in a bigger spark plug??<br /><br />Maybe that's the Force problem. The spark plugs are too small! <br /><br />Joking aside, David, I am very suspicious of any wrench (or wanna-be wrench) that isn't completely honest with customers.<br /><br />There is a former wrench who sat out 30 days in the local pokey for trying to charge me $300 for "tweaking" the EFI on my pickup. The "tweak" consisted of warming it up before testing emissions again after it flunked when cold. He thought Professors don't know about engines.<br /><br />I suspect that your "bigger" spark plug was simply a clean one (or set of same). You may need a new wrench.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[DP]

Re: Force 50 problems

I would guess by a bigger plug he meant a hotter one. Chrysler/Force engines never did like cold plugs.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Force 50 problems

This is a dangerous practice on motors. A hot plug can cause holy piston syndrome,an incurable disease.<br />A direct cross reference will be ok,but make sure what you noew have crosses DIRECTLY to a Champion UL81C or RL81C. The plugs are different for later versions of the same engine,as they have different ignition packs.<br />If they don't cross,....I wouldn't run them,if it were me.<br />And I totally agree with JB. The "mechanic" is not being forthcomming with straight answers,or he is outright lying to you.<br />Sometimes, they get too busy to speek engish tho. "me put big plug on motor. It go now good." don't cut it .<br /><br />

 

[davidandleona]

Re: Force 50 problems

My wife,the one who actually talked with<br />this "mechanic" now believes that he did<br />refer to a "hotter plug." In any case we'll<br />check the code on our next weekend visit and<br />see exactly what is in there.<br /> Thanks again for all your help and support!<br /> David

 

[DP]

Re: Force 50 problems

The NGK book calls for B7HS plugs in that motor, that would cross to UL18C in Champion. I have allways been a fan of NGK plugs but when dealing with Force motors have found that most run better with Champions. No idea why.<br />****

 

[sony2001]

Re: Force 50 problems

DavidD you need a small adj. of the idle SPEED screw. Where your throttle cable enters the cowling there is a vertical rod that actuates both carbs simutainously. AT that rods base there is a screw bolt combination that buts up to the engine block. Put the screw in a half turn. Don't touch the carbs.

 

[nickster]

Re: Force 50 problems

David you said that you changed the cables if this consist of the trottle cable. Changing them or adjusting them also consist of changing the idle trough the idle screw As sony had explained.<br /><br />Good Luck!<br /> Nick