BlaiseStott
Recruit
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2025
- Messages
- 2
Hi, I have a fairly reliable 1990 Force 120 outboard that has been having an issue recently.
I was 30 miles or so up my local reservoir when I decided it was time to call it a day and head back to the boat ramp. I had no issue getting up the reservoir, but when it was time to head back I noticed something was off.
As I hammered on the throttle as I usually do and got on plane, a clunking sound occurred. I throttled down and thought maybe I shifted too quick into forward, so I went back to neutral, into reverse and then into forward again and got on the throttle. The clunking occurred again. I decided to let the motor scream, and it clunked maybe 4 more times in 5 second intervals then stopped clunking. The rest of the ride back to the boat ramp was as smooth as usual.
I’ve been trying to diagnose the clunking and have gotten nowhere. Every time I get on the throttle about 2500 RPMS or so, whether I full throttle immediately or slowly creep, it clunks a few times then goes away.
I’ve checked shift linkages, drained my gear oil, and tightened all my bolts for the throttle and shift cables. Everything checks out as it should yet the clunk is still there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I have added a video for example.
I was 30 miles or so up my local reservoir when I decided it was time to call it a day and head back to the boat ramp. I had no issue getting up the reservoir, but when it was time to head back I noticed something was off.
As I hammered on the throttle as I usually do and got on plane, a clunking sound occurred. I throttled down and thought maybe I shifted too quick into forward, so I went back to neutral, into reverse and then into forward again and got on the throttle. The clunking occurred again. I decided to let the motor scream, and it clunked maybe 4 more times in 5 second intervals then stopped clunking. The rest of the ride back to the boat ramp was as smooth as usual.
I’ve been trying to diagnose the clunking and have gotten nowhere. Every time I get on the throttle about 2500 RPMS or so, whether I full throttle immediately or slowly creep, it clunks a few times then goes away.
I’ve checked shift linkages, drained my gear oil, and tightened all my bolts for the throttle and shift cables. Everything checks out as it should yet the clunk is still there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I have added a video for example.