1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

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BradentonBreeze

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Nov 26, 2004
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I just purchased a 1990 Maxum 2100 with a force 120 outboard with teleflex steering. Is there antyhing I should know or look out for? When I ran it on muffs water came out of the two top "slots that are covered not the top "pee hole". Is this a bad sign or normal? How should I check this motor over before I put it in the water? All help is appreciated and I thank you in advance.
 
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BradentonBreeze

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Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

Also I did search the boards very well and found a lot just wondering if there are any current or former owners with any other heads up info.
 
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scottnjay

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Jun 13, 2004
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Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

I don't have the same engine. Mine is a 97, but I found that on the muffs that water would come out of the tell tale intermittently at idle, but if I kicked it up just a little then it would work consistently. My engine has worked really well for me so far. It is not anything special, but has started really well everytime (except when the gear selector switch was not in neutral) But if I were you I would replace the impellor and clean it all up. It is worth the extra bucks just to know it is all new.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

I don't remember if the 1990 version had a water telltale. If not, you might want to invest in a water pressure gauge kit for $50, so you can keep an eye on the cooling water flow while underway. Those motors are easily damaged if the waterflow is interupted and it overheats.<br /><br />Definitely have the compression checked on the motor, replace the water pump impeller, fuel pump rebuild kit, clean or replace the fuel filter, new plugs, decarb the motor once a year, and keep the low rpm/idling to a minimum.
 
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springhead

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Sep 17, 2004
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184
Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

i had a 1990 90 hp force, sold it last year,<br />the pee holes were half way up the back of motor,<br />if water doesnt come out of the pee hole something is wrong, drain and check the gear oil and make sure there isnt any water in the oil,it will look like a milky substance with water in the oil, also a must like roscoe said, buy a fuel pump kit,actuaaly buy 2 of them, 1 spare, there like 5 bucks each and easy to rebuild, good luck
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

Any Mercury dealer can supply parts, or www.mercruiserparts.com<br /><br />telltale = peehole = water flow indicator<br />a visible stream of water that confirms that the water pump is pumping cooling water into the engine.<br /><br />It is nice to have an indicator you can see from the drivers seat, either a stream shooting out the side of the motor, or a water pressure gauge in the dash.<br /><br />The two holes on the back of the engine are actually exhaust relief holes, but some water will splatter out of them. The problem is you can't see if there is any water flow while you are in the boat.
 
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22trophy

Seaman
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Aug 2, 2003
Messages
54
Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

I've owned a 1999 120hp for 13 months and 140 hrs of usage. It is a solid motor, I have no complaints! Here's some free advice (worth everything you paid for it). My motor sat for over a year. Decarb it( with the mercury aerosal spray can), then put in new spark plugs, change impellor and fluids, buy a Selco maint manual and if moneys no problem buy the mercury force manual. If able start it once a week. But, always the night before you plan on using it on the water. I've caught and fixed some minor problems that developed. I mix my oil 40 to 1. Good luck!
 
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BradentonBreeze

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Nov 26, 2004
Messages
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Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

Thanks all I really appreciate all this feedback. Ya'll are great. I am getting most of the kinks worked out of the motor and trying to test and repair all of these problems your mentioning ahead of time.
 
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BradentonBreeze

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Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
16
Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

Ok I ran into one. My motor has not been idling right at all and I think I have figured out why. Where the flexhose connects to the motor I have water and smoke spilling out and I think it is choking the motor out by building up inside the cover. I took the cover off and it runs like there is no tommorow. Is this common and what sort of clamp should I replace the rusted in two one with?
 
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BradentonBreeze

Cadet
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
16
Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

I put a new hose clamp on and the motor runs like a dream. I guess that was the whole rough run problem all along being choked out.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,753
Re: 1990 Force 120 Jsut purchased. What am I in for?

Sorry to have missed your smothering problem post above, but glad you got her fixed. Yes, this has happened before. Not many people figure it out as fast as you did. Good job.
 
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