85HP Force Died While Trolling

[LarsMN89]

1989 85hp Force on Bayliner Capri 1700. Motored at high speed for about 5 minutes. Then slowed down to go trolling. After about 15 minutes the motor started sputtering and losing power. I applied more throttle to maintain speed then it finally died and would not restart. I found I could start it on high throttle while not in gear but the speed was much lower than normal. When I backed off to idle it would died and it would not start in neutral at idle. About an hour later I got it stared in gear but had to have it a full throttle to keep it running but only got about 5 mph. Squeezing the fuel bulb had no improvement. After a minute I suddenly got more power, then is stumbled and got ever more power and nearly got on plane when suddenly it went back to 5 mph. It did this 2 more times while getting back to the landing. The gas tank is 50% full and I use only non-oxygenated fuel. It seems like I'm running on one cylinder then suddenly will get another and then finally the third for a moment - then it goes back to one.

When I get time early this week I plan on doing a compression check. But it really seems like an electrical problem. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[fucawi]

Re: 85HP Force Died While Trolling

KISS most probable you fouled the plugs....did you have dead on 50 :1 and TCW3 not some old engine oil ? ( joking) . Even a CDI can have fouled the plugs . This should be the first thing you check.. I assume you have the surface discharge plugs fitted.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 85HP Force Died While Trolling

After the comp test do a spark test.
Then the fuel system.Check/change the fuel pump diaphram.Clean the carbs and while they are off check the reeds.
Some older Forces have a foam insulation in the hood and it can get through the carbs into the reeds(maybe).
Then the fuel lines,any inline connectors,change them or just remove them.New squeezie and check for blockages in the vent hose.
Anything past 84 had CDI ignition. Outboardignition.com has test procedures for the electrical system.J

 

[LarsMN89]

Re: 85HP Force Died While Trolling

Got a chance to check a few things this evening.
First, I started it using muffs and it started right up in in neutral. Rev'd it and it seems ok. Put it is gear and also seems ok. So it would seem the problem isn't happening at the moment (doesn't always seem to work that way!). I tried a simple test to see if choking the engine while it's running would improve it but it started to stall - too much gas. I checked the spark on all cylinders using an in-line tester and all are firing. The compression is 130 top, 130 center, 125 bottom. Since it is now running ok I may need to take it out on the lake and get it warmed up to make the problem come back.

 

[hypersniper]

Re: 85HP Force Died While Trolling

some problems only happen in the water and dont rear their ugly heads on the muffs. use caution when you take it on the water it may come back quick. i had the same problem with my 88 force 85 hp so i completely cleaned carbs, cleaned fuel pump as well as replaced diaphram and all 3 check valves in the fuel pump. i also turned my idle screws out 2 1/2 turns from light seated and now it runs great. but be sure to check reeds a nd get rid of the sound insulation in the motor cover it just reeks havoc when it falls apart and then clean it with acetone real good. if the noise bothers you too much, 3M makes an adhesive foam that can be used in place to quiet the noise.

 

[my1stboat1]

Re: 85HP Force Died While Trolling

Sure you didnt find yourself some low water and run the prop in the mud.... Ive had the very same scenerio your saying and I look back and see mudd kicking up and look down and my Depth gauges and im in 2 ft of water OOOPPS....