97 force 120..repost with new problems

[toy_catfish]

The boat ran fine in the driveway the day before. When we went out the engine would not idle. On the way back in rpm would not go over 2300 and sounded like engine was bogged down. occasionly would rev back up to 5000 rpms run for a little while then stall. Now if I squeaze the primer bulb 3 times it will run for about 10 seconds then die. Engine sounds strong for those ten seconds then sputters and dies. I see no obvious fuel leaks.

OK..so I hooKed up a portable fuel tank and the motor started and ran, but only top two cylinders. bottom two have spark. looks like a whitish fluid leaking from bottom carb. bottom three cylinders all have same compresion with the top one being slightly less, but top cylinder fires and works fine. (if I pull the plug wire it stalls). (4 cylinders, two carbs) I'm thinking its somthing realy bad and I got hosed from the guy I bought the boat from. any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[BOBPELL]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

OK -
You obviously have fuel to engine
You have spark at all 4 cyl.
It must run.

Last year I had to replace all the vacuum lines as they were all dried and cracked. Ran much better after I did it.

Start where the fuel line enters the engine area, take all lines off and check. Take the filter cover off and be sure it is clean.

The carbs actually come off real easy so I think I'd consider doing that as well if your are up to it.
There is a good chance that the tiny hole which draws the fuel into the carb itself from the bowl is clogged.
If you are unsure that you will get it together again properly, label everything and take a few pictures before you disassemble anything.

Is the primer bulb new? They do collapse internally and still look good on the outside. Consider replacing it.

I wish my problem were this simple!!!

 

[roscoe]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

Replace fuel line with new. $20
Rebuild fuel pump. $20
Then rebuild the carbs if needed.

 

[Reel-Fun]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

I'm thinking its somthing realy bad and I got hosed from the guy I bought the boat from.

No you did not get Hosed if you got Spark, Compression and fuel it will run. change fuel lines, bulb and certainly rebuild the fuel pump if this isnt the problem you should still do these as they need replacing every once and a while. Start from there and let us know if that works.

 

[toy_catfish]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

The boat ran fine in the driveway the day before. When we went out the engine would not idle. On the way back in rpm would not go over 2300 and sounded like engine was bogged down. occasionly would rev back up to 5000 rpms run for a little while then stall. Now if I squeaze the primer bulb 3 times it will run for about 10 seconds then die. Engine sounds strong for those ten seconds then sputters and dies. I see no obvious fuel leaks.

OK..so I hooKed up a portable fuel tank and the motor started and ran, but only top two cylinders. bottom two have spark. looks like a whitish fluid leaking from bottom carb. bottom three cylinders all have same compresion with the top one being slightly less, but top cylinder fires and works fine. (if I pull the plug wire it stalls). (4 cylinders, two carbs) I'm thinking its somthing realy bad and I got hosed from the guy I bought the boat from. any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[toy_catfish]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

Thanks...you guys are awsome. Think I'll start with the fuel pump cause I'm working with new portable tank,bulb and line and did originally take the fuel pump off to check it out. maybe I broke somthing. It'll be few days but I will let you all know.
Thanks again
Mike

 

[toy_catfish]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

It looks to me like water and oil coming from back of bottom carb. (a milky green color) The compression check is throwing me off though. Anyone think its possably a head gasket. With the new gas the motor will start a stay running on the top two cylinders. The gas in the bowl on both carbs is clean. I checked them ran the motor and checked again.

 

[BOBPELL]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

Anyone think its possably a head gasket.

You mentioned in an earlier post your compression check findings. Three the same and one close is fine. A damaged head gasket would give a consistant and good bit lower reading.

How are the spark plug wires? Just "a" spark doesn't necessarily mean a full strength strong spark.

 

[toy_catfish]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

The wires look fairly new and they shocked the hell out of me when removed them. Spark plugs are some strange racing plug but I switched them around and the bottom ones fire on top. Does anyone know what the compression reading should be. I cant seem to find it in the book.
Thanks again for all your efforts.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

Compression numbers in the 120-140 range are great.
100-120, it should still be ok.

 

[toy_catfish]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

All lines are good. all plugs are good. plugs on bottom two cylinders look wet after running. Bottom carb spitting fuel. I'm settling on a carb issue. I have never rebuilt one before. Are they hard to do if I have the manual. I checked the fuel pump and the diaphrams look good but its cheap enough so i will replace anyway. Any Idea what a good machenic gets paid to build a carb?
Thanks again

 

[BOBPELL]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

Before you start rebuilding carbs check one more thing on them. There is a cork gasket where the bowl meets the body of the carb. If the bowl were ever put back without a good seal at this point it will leak. Not agood thing. Many times these old cork gaskets crumble and small pieces fall in the bowl. The small little pieces then clog the tiny hole in the pick up tube.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

The boat ran fine in the driveway the day before. When we went out the engine would not idle. On the way back in rpm would not go over 2300 and sounded like engine was bogged down. occasionly would rev back up to 5000 rpms run for a little while then stall. Now if I squeaze the primer bulb 3 times it will run for about 10 seconds then die. Engine sounds strong for those ten seconds then sputters and dies. I see no obvious fuel leaks.

OK..so I hooKed up a portable fuel tank and the motor started and ran, but only top two cylinders. bottom two have spark. looks like a whitish fluid leaking from bottom carb. bottom three cylinders all have same compresion with the top one being slightly less, but top cylinder fires and works fine. (if I pull the plug wire it stalls). (4 cylinders, two carbs) I'm thinking its somthing realy bad and I got hosed from the guy I bought the boat from. any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

If i read correctly and you said compression was high and equal, sounds like pimarily a fuel supply problem. Most likely causes are bad fuel pump diaphragm and varnish clogging carbs. Replace diaphragm and remove and clean carbs with WD40. It removes varnish almost immediately. Of course check the primer bulb and linesNow you will be assured of full fuel floe to engine and then can diagnose any ignition problems.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

those force motors have differnt compression readings in every cyclinder read your service manual.

 

[DJ]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

Do any of the spark plugs look real clean or have water droplets on them?

If so, you have a cylinder head or exhaust cover gasket issue(s).

 

[toy_catfish]

Re: 97 force 120..repost with new problems

turns out there were two broken reeds. 1 on each of the bottom cylinders. bottom carb was gummed up pretty good too so I had both rebuilt. I have clumsy fingers so I wasnt up to doing it myself. I'm new to this so I guess in the future I'll know what to look for.
thanks to all for taking your time to try and help me