1995 Force 70 hp

[stephenref]

I am looking at purchasing a 15' HydraSport with a 70hp Force on the back. From initial visual inspection and running it in the driveway, the motor runs fine. Took it out for a test. Idles nicely, plenty of power, on plane very quickly. One little problem. With throttle wide open, engine seems to stall or skip as if I was hitting something in the water. Back off just a little, everything is fine. I looked at the fule gauge, EMPTY, like below empty. Soooo, my first guess is that at full speed, the fuel pickup might have been cavitating, thus causing the skipping. Am I way off base? What other problems might the engine have? Should I stay away from this boat?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1995 Force 70 hp

I don't know much about the boat,except for you description, as to whether it was a good deal or not, so I waont comment there.<br /><br />You said it was outta gas? Or just that the gauge was readin empty?<br />I would say it's a venting problem, or the fuel pump diaphram is suffering from alcohol-inriched gas,which eats the rubber. The good news is, it's a cheap and easy fix either way.<br /><br /> <br /><br />------------------<br />Sandbar? Sandbar? I don't see no stinking sanDBARRRrrrrr!!!

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1995 Force 70 hp

Also, you asked about problems with the Force. One that comes to mind (other than the ones not unique to Force), is the props are weak at the hub. You may want to get a spare prop,and stuff it in the bilge.<br />Re-hubbing them when they DO spin is not an expensivbe PROPosition tho, so no real biggy....Unless you are not prepared for the event

<br /><br /><br />------------------<br />Sandbar? Sandbar? I don't see no stinking sanDBARRRrrrrr!!!

 

[stephenref]

Re: 1995 Force 70 hp

Thanks 12Footer.<br /><br />When I asked if I should stay away from the boat altogether, I was really talking about both a Force engine in general, and the skipping.<br /><br />As for the gas, the gauge read empty. When we got back to the dock after the test run, I checked the gas in the tank. There was some in the bottom (I could "see through" the tank) but I could not tell from the outside where the pickup stopped. <br /><br />Am I barking up the wrong tree with the "pickup cavitation" thing? I will check the venting and the fuel pump diaphram.<br /><br />I plan on siphoning out all fuel after I get the boat, and start fresh, giving it another high speed test before checking the fual pump.

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1995 Force 70 hp

Yes, the fuel pickup will not pickup the last 1/2" of fuel (3" running in rough water) or there-aboutz.<br />Fresh fuel will make a difference to, but do stay clear of alcohol enriched fuel or "gasohol". That stuf does a number on rubber parts.<br />Force is a good engine,but an old design.The only reason Merc dropped the entire line were the projected re-design costs, when the feds "upped" the emission standards in Y2K.<br /><br /><br />------------------<br />Sandbar? Sandbar? I don't see no stinking sanDBARRRrrrrr!!!