1997 force 120... Please help

[Nitro185]

I just purchased this boat from an individual. When starting the motor, it takes a while to ignite. My last trip to the lake, it almost took two batteries before the engine started. The starter will turn constantly but the engine wont start. I am using the choke with some throttle. After about 30 minutes as the second battery was losing power, it started. After the engine starts and idles the first time, the engine runs well. Starts fine from there on. Every now and then when changing from neutral to forward or reverse the engine will die, but starts right back up. Does anyone have ideas on what to check? Keep in mind I just purchased the boat. I have not tried anything at this point. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am heading the lake in 2 1/2 weeks and would like the motor running great. Thank you in advance.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1997 force 120... Please help

Could have sworn I saw this post earlier today, with a few replies.<br />??<br /><br />First off, don't over do it with your starter, you will burn it up.<br /><br />When it won't start, check for spark. Could be a bad neutral safety switch, or more likely, the kill switch, or any of the wiring to and from these switches.<br /><br />After trying to start it for 30 seconds, pull the plugs and see if fuel is reaching the cylinders.<br /><br />Once running, what is the idle rpm?

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: 1997 force 120... Please help

Do you have new gas in the tank? Do you pump the primer bulb before starting? Is your carburetor air/fuel mixture adjusted correctly? How about the idle speed? Is the fuel filter okay? Are the plugs in good condition?

 

[funpilot]

Re: 1997 force 120... Please help

If you have the auto enrichner like my 1995 120 (force) Mercury Sport Jet engine, the throttle shutters must be closed for it to work. If the throttle shutters are even slightly cracked open, the "Turn-Key Start" feature is disabled. To ensure this, you have to check the throttle cam pick up points and the postion of the eccentric roller on the lower throttle bellcrank. The mark on the cam must align with the center of the roller, without moving it.<br /><br />Assuming you can then get it started, idle timing is 8 to 10 degrees BTDC. Some folks unknowingly adjust the tower shaft screw thinking it is a low idle speed screw... it is a low idle TIMING screw instead. (BTDT, LOL). The idle mixture screws at the top of your carbs need to be about 1-1/2 turns out as a starting point. Most engines will fire at that setting, and then you can adjust the mixture screws to give you 950 to 1100 RPM. Believe it or not, the throttle shutters, completely shut, will give you that idle speed.<br /><br />good luck