Engine dies when put into gear...

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gdean7

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Mar 16, 2005
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On my 1985 Bayliner - 125 Force engine... I can start it in nuetral.. but whenever I try to put it into gear, it dies on me. The only way I can actually get it to not die is by giving it lots of gas while in nuetral, then switching it quickly into gear and giving it throttle. Are there any things I can check to find out why this happens, or does anyone have any ideas for me to try out? I'm not sure why it would just die on me. Even if it's warmed up, it still dies. Thanks in advance!
 

roscoe

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

Any idea what the idle rpm's are?<br />Check for a strong spark on all plugs.<br />Check compression.<br />Pray.
 

Craig cK

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

Not an expert - more curious of the answer myself!
 

roscoe

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

If I am not mistaken, this engine was running well a short time ago, correct?<br /><br />Yes it could be a carb problem, thats why I asked about the idle rpm. If the compression and spark are ok, then it may very well be a fuel delivery (carb) problem. But we kind of have to work by the process of elimination when diagnosing. I like to eliminate the items that are easiest to check.
 

gdean7

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

Not sure exactly what idle rpms are. I got it back from the shop and they said it worked just fine. (they had tuned up the carbs) Compression/spark plugs work just fine. (new plugs) Could it be anything to do with the oil/gas mixture? If it's heavy on either will that affect it? Not saying that I messed it up, but is that a possibility? <br /><br /> And yes, the boat was working well a short time ago. Just recently, it dies whenever I put it into gear. <br />Thanks!
 

Force-b-w-u-120

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

I'm having same problem with 120 Force. It's idle is suppose to be between 700 and 800. I saw on the forum somewhere how to determine the correct mixture by accellerating quickly from idle to full throttle, but now I can't find it again. I can't remember which simpton goes with which condition. Mine displays the symptom when I accelerate it hesitates or dies. If I can find it again it may be the cure for both of us.
 

eurolarva

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Jun 24, 2003
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

gunning engine motor hesitates then goes is too rich, Gunning engine motor dies motor is too lean. Never want to be too lean. It is best to be slighty rich.
 

Schoe

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Jun 22, 2004
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

I have a 120 Force in an L-Drive Bayliner that used to do the same die out routine. Mine turned out to be an idle that was too low (the tachometer was off by 200 rpm), but the killer was a sticking choke. It would idle fine until put into gear then it would die. The choke was slightly gummed up until it got hot. Cleaned the choke connections to the carbs and all is well. For now.
 

boatsmitty

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

I experience the same problem. I checked compression, ignition, spark, replace fuel pump diaphram, plugged in small temporary fuel tank, checked fuel pressure, cleaned carbs, replaced one coil and have not solved it. I reset timing based on Clymers book idle method, but was thinking that the throttle cable linkage may have gotten readjusted, changing the spark advance at low rpm. Maybe I need to experiment with linkage adjustments to get quicker spark advance.
 

boatsmitty

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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

I also cleaned the fuel recirculation ports/plates. However those reeds may not be sealing correctly and I can't see them but one seems to allow air to blow through equally in either direction.
 

dtherrien

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 9, 2005
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

I had the same proplem on my 86 125....ended up cleaning the fuel recirculation system....on the starboard side, there is an upper and lowerfuel return plates....take them off and clean the screen fiters and spray reeds with carb cleaner...after i did this two mine it ran like a new motor.
 

imported_bjs

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Jun 21, 2005
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

try adj.idle mixture screws they are very touchy mine didnt idle very good died somtimes to.after adj.screws mine idles good now.make sure the gas has no water in it.make sure primer bulb is firm.had water in my gas caused me alot of headaches until i figured it out gas will draw moisture if it sits for any period of time.always use sta build i put every tank of gas.learned that the hard way.
 

ljshein

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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May 17, 2005
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

My 84 - 125 had the same issue. Took the carbs apart, cleaned up the carbs and adjusted the float levels. Adjusted the idle up just a little and it runs like a champ!
 

ob12

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Jun 18, 2004
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

Wow, seems like a common problem. I have an 84 Force 125 also, and I have the same problem. The engine runs fine the whole day, but hard to start at first, and then dies if I move into gear to slowly. Have to give her a little juice to get her moving, but once she is moving, it seems to work fine. I can come from high rpm back to really low rpm with her in gear and she works fine also, (almost a trolling speed). But if I go from neutral to gear to slow, she will stall everytime. I don't have a tach...
 

BaysideMarine

Seaman Apprentice
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Feb 17, 2005
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Re: Engine dies when put into gear...

Just a quick word on gearshifting. You should never shift slowly from nuetral into gear. It chews up the dogs on the gears. Outboard engines are designed for a quick snap from nuetral into gear. Shifting slowly WILL destroy the gearbox and place unneccesary load on the engine during the shift.
 

wesrrrr

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just replaced the selectric shift wire harness and water impeller and now mine is doing same thing... any suggestions
 

GA_Boater

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just replaced the selectric shift wire harness and water impeller and now mine is doing same thing... any suggestions

Yes - Start a new thread in the right section. This one is 14 years old.

I don't think you have a Force or Chrysler with Selectric shift.

Closed.
 
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