1985 Force 85HP

[kenvollers]

I just purchased a 1985 Bayliner Capri with a Force 85 HP outboard motor. It is in running condition, though it has a few kinks that need ironing out. The main issue I am having is that the motor will start mostly only if the cover is taken off. Once I get it running and warmed up, I can cover it back up for quieter running, though performance slows down, and it then has a tendency to stall when running at lower throttle settings or neutral. Obviously, the engine is getting choked somehow, and the guy who sold it to me had said it probably needed its carburetors cleaned, but I just removed the intake manifold and looked into the carbs and they seemed perfectly clean. I haven't gone all the way to take off the carbs and inspect them fully, but I am wondering if it is perhaps an exhaust issue? Also, when further inspecting the motor I found the spark plugs had been kind of loose in their threads and some oily residue was leaking out. I tightened them back up but haven't had a chance to run it for a test cause it's on a trailer right now. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
--Kendrick

 

[chitownborn]

Re: 1985 Force 85HP

check your exhaust boot, its located on the lower leg about eight inches down from the power head on the spark plug side of engine, check to see if ripped or if it lost its seat, if ripped or not seated it will allow exhaust fumes to enter into the cowling thus choking it out or cause it to run rough good luck don

 

[kenvollers]

Re: 1985 Force 85HP

Good call man, I didn't notice it down there at first, but it was indeed kind of torn and no longer feeding to the outside. Thanks for the idea.

 

[john from md]

Re: 1985 Force 85HP

If you don't know the history of the engine you bought, there are a few things you should do before running full tilt.

Change the fuel pump diaphram, water pump impeller and lower unit oil at a minimum. Then search for force 85 there are a gazillion threads where we have help to maintain and repair these engines. Don't forget to by a Clymer manual for it also.

Regards,

John