1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

Khanhfucious

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
32
We have a 1989 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/ a Force 85 outboard. A couple weeks ago, it was randomly stalling when we were putting it into gear. Now, it wont start. It'll crank, try to start, but wont. Once every few tries, itll start, but will soon die.

If we leave the shifter in neutral, but give it gas, itll start, and stay on.

One thing that has been done is the local Marina has adjusted the carbs, since it was idling way too high , and "snapping" when it goes into gear (also will stall). They also replaced the spark plugs.

Anyone have any ideas?
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

From your description it could be a bunch of things wrong. If you are looking for a trick or something simple I doubt you will find it. Sounds like originally it might have been fuel related but because it died on you and it wont re start you may have some actual damage to the motor. The best thing to do before buying parts is to test the compression and also check for spark. If both these steps pass then the next thing would be to play with the fuel system. To start you could spray some gas oil mix into the choke of the carbs and see if that makes it sputter. If spraying gas helps rebuild the fuel pump (8 dollars) and buy rebuild kits for each carb (12 dollars each) and most important get a service manual (35 dollars)
 

vprgtsr001

Cadet
Joined
Jul 11, 2004
Messages
24
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

when you say it'll try to start i assume you mean sputter. My 50 hp force was doing the same. wouldnt start, tried everything including fuel system/carb cleaning and carb settings. I finally bought a compression tester after reading it on here and sure enough i was 130psi in top cyl and only 85 in the bottom. Took off the head to find head gasket was **** on the bottom and had to be replaced. If you can get a hold of a comp. tester try this, mine was only 25 bucks but i hear some auto parts stores will lend them to you too.
 

Jack Daniels

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 21, 2007
Messages
266
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

Start with compression, i would just buy one. This is usually one of the first places you start when you troubleshoot the motor. Good luck and keep us informed
 

Thomas P

Cadet
Joined
Aug 12, 2008
Messages
19
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

i had very similiar problem with my 120 a couple of weeks ago. the prob with mine was bad gas, i went through all the steps of compression and carbs spark ect and was told to drain gas tank and put fresh gas in. it runs perfectly now. i was told that gas on land with ethanol tends to break down very quickly when boat is sitting still, and to always put seafoam or stabilizer in each tank. so you might try that before going to far into it.
 

Duke11pl

Cadet
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
15
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

check your port gasdkets on the right side of motor mine blow out replaced and motor ran like fri#@^&% new if you knoe what i mean
 

further

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
1,031
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

What port gaskets are you referring to exactly?
 

notsunkyet

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
198
Re: 1989 Force 85: Wont start, stalls.

hey eurolarva where did ya get those prices and where did ya get them from? force 85 1986 model
 
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