Force 120 Starter Issues???

[AGD1962]

What would cause a starter to go bad in a short period. I'm on #2 since I bought this boat late last summer. Connections all look good on this '94 that looks like it has real low hours. Also, I read somehwere about flywheel rotation. I can turn it with two hands, but it does have good resistance. (I also turned it counterclockwise many times before reading today that I shouldn't have done that ~ is that a problem? New starter is on the way this Monday May 21st. Will install later. BTW all connections look very new and all has been thoroughly checked.

 

[alcan]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Hi AGD<br />What happen to the starter motor? Did you have it tested? Need to know why it failed in order to know what caused it.

 

[AGD1962]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

I did not have it tested. However, I did take it apart to check it over and it had a foul odor, maybe a burn odor, and a lot of small rubber debris came out too. When I began starting the engine, I noticed smoke coming out of the starter area. It died not much later. I am a novice with some mechanical aptitude. First boat.<br /><br />Thanks Alcan.

 

[alcan]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Hi Agd<br />Since this is your second starter motor. I would check for mechanical resistance on the engine and lower unit. You may have something under the fly wheel rubbbing,bearing in the engine going bad, carbon build-up on piston and rings, might be in the lower unit. Dose the engine seem to crank slow?

 

[AGD1962]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

A new starter seems to work fine at first and for a short period of time. But after a while the crank seems to become harder, more so at the end. There seems to be good resistance when turning the fly wheel with two hands. Also, the batteries don't appear to be self-charging (I alternate two off of a home trickle charge to have one fresh).

 

[alcan]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Hi Agd<br />If your battery is not being charged its time to test the charging circut. Your altenator is located under the fly wheeel, this would be a good place to begin a search for the cause of your problems. I would suggest you aquire a manual, this will spell out all the test procedures. Let us know what you come up with.

 

[AGD1962]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Thanks Alcan. I have the Clymer manual for Force engines and will check current specs after I figure it out and get needed tools and put in new starer. <br /><br />How easy should the flywheel turn? Did I do damage by turning counter-clockwise?

 

[AGD1962]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Okay, put the starter on and it worked very well. The last one was a rebuild and may have had issues. Plus, I was spraying the shaft with WD-40 and learned later to only use TWC III oil. <br /><br />Alcan, thanks very much for your help.

 

[Saperry]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

I had the same prob with a starter from a force 120. <br />Had it rebuilt 4 or five times at two different alternator rebuid shops in about 7 months.<br />Just would not work long they would rebuild it under warranty and still the same prob.<br /><br />Finally the guy at the second shop said he would by me a new starter if I promised not to bring the old one back for annther rebuild. Put the new stater on and it works great. That was 3 years ago.<br /><br />That was the only problem I ever had with that force 120. My brother bought the from me and he still uses it all the time.

 

[alcan]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Hi AGD<br />The reason for not turning the engine in reverse is, that it may reverse the vanes on the water pump empeller. Causing excessive wear. Usually not too big a deal, just not good practice. You might want to remove the spark plugs and rotate fly wheel to see if you can feel a tight spot or hear rubbing. It may also be prudent to pull the fly wheel off and have a look see.

 

[AGD1962]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

Yes, I will do that. Going for new spark plugs tomorrow anyway. The boat now easily starts. Sounds like I had something simlar to Saperry. This new starter is wide open.<br /><br />Now, onto the problem of a jerking motor thats revs up RPMs. Does that sound like spark or fuel? Hoping the new spark plugs do the trick. A man at the ramp said I should add some stuff to the gas to take out water from winter storage even though I filled it up almost all the way (left room for oil mix plus maybe alittle more).

 

[manowar]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

just a thought the propeller is in good condition if not your motor will shake right off the boat

 

[manowar]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

I think tho your your motor is in good shape and you need to add the fuel enrichner or whatever it is and go from there next step might be tuneup I have a 120 force rebuilt it back to better specs than what it came out of the factory with compression is off by 1 on all cylinders forces are ok and thats regardless of what every one says how do they know if they never had one

 

[AGD1962]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

I will add the enricher today. Prop is also in good shape. Just can't figure out why the engine violently revs up in a jerking motion at idle or when going slow. It does this about every 2 - 5 seconds. Maybe the new spark plugs and water remover stuff will do the trick.

 

[moose211]

Re: Force 120 Starter Issues???

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM MY MACHANIC TOLD ME THAT IF YOR GROUND THE SARTERS TO THE FRAME IT WILL HELP THE GROUND FROM THE BLOCK ID WEEK SO RUN A GROUND