1988 Force 125 weird sounds

[roscottjr]

First of all I am not too sure I even have a problem here but Id rather be safe than sorry. I had the engine in a tank today checking everything out and getting the boat ready for the lake next weekend. Started the motor, checked for water pumping, checked chargeing, everything checked out fine. None of my gauges work but some of the interior boat wiring is messed up and I havent got those taken care of yet. Anyway, I placed the boat in forward gear and gave it a little throttle and still, everything was fine and there were no noises anywhere at all that shouldnt be there. Did the same with the engine in reverse and still no sounds that shouldnt be there so I placed the engine back in neutral. Here is where the sounds came in, I decided I wanted to see what the throttle response is on this engine so I blipped the throttle 3 times. The engine would instantly gain rpms so it did what it should but then there was this rattling sound or something (maybe an erratic idle) or maybe like the piston travel was getting ahead of the fuel. Im not real sure how to describe it. I eased the throttle up and then back down and no sounds, I blipped it a few times again and it did the sounds again. I went thru both gears again idleing the engine up in both gears and no sounds.

Could this sound be because I was blipping the throttle with the engine in neutral and there was no load on the engine? I cant see it being a rod or bearing problem or anything because the sound is not always there, its only there when I blip the throttle a few times in neutral. Oh, Same situation and still blip the throttle but if its in gear it does not make this sound. I am thinking it is most likely be doing the throttle like I am which I think you are not suppose to do, or it may just be bad gas or something. I dont think it is engine teardown type problem but Ive never had one of these engines and just wanted to see what others opinions are.

Thanks
Robert

 

[roscottjr]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

Anyone have any ideas?

I am thinking it may possibly just be that I was only moving the throttle and the timing was not advancing with the throttle. I ran it again and tried a few different things but could not get it to make the sound unless I hit the throttle at the carbs with the timing not advancing. Does anyone else agree?

Robert

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

It sounds like your engine will be fine!
I understand quick burst of the throttle while in neutral are not recommended. My 1989 125 Force will make the rattling noises if I throttle up to quick while in neutral.

Have a great evening!
max!

 

[roscottjr]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

I figured it was probably nothing to worry about. I knew it wasnt recommended on this engines to do that and I dont know what I was thinking when I did it.. I didnt even think about it until I heard the noises come from the engine. I have actually followed a few of your threads. Have you got any advice about this engine that you have learned? Im not new to outboards but this is my first Force and I have heard quite a bit about them but I still bought it. It ran too good to pass up..lol

Robert

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

Running an engine in gear while unloaded will cause all sorts of things to come loose. The noises you were hearing is the clearances of all the parts that were not under load.

Read the FAQ, it has a lot of good information.

John

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

I figured it was probably nothing to worry about. I knew it wasnt recommended on this engines to do that and I dont know what I was thinking when I did it.. I didnt even think about it until I heard the noises come from the engine. I have actually followed a few of your threads. Have you got any advice about this engine that you have learned? Im not new to outboards but this is my first Force and I have heard quite a bit about them but I still bought it. It ran too good to pass up..lol

Robert

If you don't have one pick up a Clymer or factory shop manual for your motor!
Keep the spark plugs clean and mix your oil and gas exact when gasing up the boat. Force outboard engines have a fuel recirculation system that helps recirculate and burn any unused fuel so the engine will run cleaner, and you need to make sure your fuel recirculation system is functioning properly. Those things are $49 each for my 1989 125 Force and I have one that isn't functioning properly out of the two that are on the motor. Something else to ad to my list of things to replace. Glad to help anytime I can.

max!

 

[roscottjr]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

I already planned on getting the manual. I will remember that fuel recirculation system also. Does it effect how the engine runs as well or just make it run cleaner?

Also, we finally made up our minds today and after speaking with our ins. company we decided to go ahead and place ins. on the boat and engine. Now if anything happens we know it is covered and will be fixed or we can replace the boat if its thats bad. Pretty cheap ins. rate for everything it covers, we just couldnt turn it down. We only give $2000 for the boat but at the suggestion of the ins. agent we ins. it for $6000.

Robert

 

[foodfisher]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

If replacement value is 2K, why pay premiums on 6K?

 

[roscottjr]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

Well, good question, and to be honest I was waiting on that one. We had the boat checked out and appraised and the value of the boat and engine is $2800. We were consider $3000 coverage. The ins. agent said we need to take into account anything that may be on the boat in case of theft or the boat sinking which took the value up somewhat so we were considering $4000 coverage. Then she explained that when we report and damage that when they come out to do the claim they will base the repair on the "agreed upon value". So, we asked what the difference in the premium was to go from $4k coverage to $5k coverage and it went up $10 per year. We asked how much to go to $6k from $5k and it was another $2 per year. We also have 3 vehicles and several other things thru our ins. company so I dont really think we are going to notice the $20 per month on the boat. Id pay that just for the sense of security I feel simply to have the coverage. We also have unisured boater, medical that covers any of us as well as anyone that gets hurt whether it be our boat hitting someone or I break a leg water skiing. Basically, the ins company said I can insure it for any amount I want, it was up to me as to whether I wanted to pay the premiums or not. So I chose the $6k. This will also pretty much replace the boat and aything lost if something were to happen so we can get right back out on the lake.

Robert

If replacement value is 2K, why pay premiums on 6K?

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

I already planned on getting the manual. I will remember that fuel recirculation system also. Does it effect how the engine runs as well or just make it run cleaner?


Robert

My understanding is that the fuel recirculation system helps the engine run cleaner and better by recirculating and burning any excess fuel.

max!

 

[roscottjr]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

I have one other question. I just changed the gearcase oil and there were a few drops of water that came out first so I am assumeing that could very well be the washers on the fill and vent screws which I am replaceing anyway. The gearcase oil looke used but have not metal particles at all in it so Im sure Im good there. I noticed the exhaust port just above the propeller is loose. When I say loose I dont mean it obviously needs to be tightened due to a lot of movement but it is loose enough that it slides side to side. Is this exhaust port supposed to move or should it be tight so it doesnt move at all?

Robert

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

A few drops of water can come from condensation. Check it monthly by dropping the drain screw a little and see what drops out. Water will drop out before the oil. As long as the oil is dark it is ok, if it is milky, you have a big leak.

The "exhaust port" is called the "exhaust snout". It does two things, directs water and exhaust out of the engine under water and two, allows you to trim out the prop effect thereby making your steering easier. There is a allen head bolt inside the snout and a flat hex bolt on t he outside. Look in your owners manual and it will tell you how to adjust the snout to counter the prop effect.

John

 

[roscottjr]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

Well I got my manual and cant find anything on adjusting the exhaust snout. Can someone help out with this please? I have found out that 1 of the bolts is missing so once I get that bolt I will need to figure out how to adjust the exhaust snout.

Robert

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 Force 125 weird sounds

You have to take the boat out and run at the speed you will normally be running. Notice if the helm wants to turn right or left. If it wants to go right, turn the snout so the front end moves to the left looking from the back of the engine. If the helm wants to go left, turn the snout so that the front end moves to the right.

The purpose of the snout is to act as a trim tab to balance the engine forces.

Make sure you put stainless steel bolts in the snout.

John