85hp force keeps dying on me :(

jstang209

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Joined
Jul 10, 2009
Messages
10
Took the boat out this weekend and it got me stranded :mad: The boat starts perfectly and runs fine in Neutral but as soon as I put it in gear it just dies. It doesnt die right away it will run in gear for a couple of seconds but then eventually just die. Like I said it starts right back up and is fine in neutral. Any ideas on whats going on? its an 1989 bayliner capri 1700 85 hp force. Thanks in advance
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,071
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

Do a compressuion/spark test.That ok,what rpm in gear is the motor running? Should be 750 in gear in the water.Plugs good? water in the fuel?
Ethanol is messing up a lot of motors.It's delaminating the inside of older hoses causing clogs in the carbs and fuel filter.Check for soft hoses and junk in the filter on the motor.Check the diaphram J
 

olow

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Aug 9, 2010
Messages
9
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

my first guess is fuel pump not working properly when u get the boat runing at throttle up and while ur going try 2 squeze the gas ball and see if it keeps runing as u keep squeese it
 

forty5goingon65

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Aug 3, 2009
Messages
81
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

my 50 force did the same it was a bad head gasket take a plug out and turn it over and see if water is comeing out of the head
 

foodfisher

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Feb 18, 2009
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3,756
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

My guess is RPM's are too low at idle, in gear. 750
 

jstang209

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Jul 10, 2009
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Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

thx for all the replies..As for the rpms, my gauges do not work, my rpm and volt gauge do not work, all others are functioning. Im guessing its probably a fuse but I dont no what fuses to check or even replace because I have no fuse diagram. Im going to try replacing the plug and cleaning the filter, I'm praying its not the head gasket.
 

huskerdaninva

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
240
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

My engine was running fine all day, this problem suddenly happened.. How would my RPMS drop all by itself?


Well, off of the top of my head... multiple potential fuel pump issues, electrical/ignition issues, carb issue(s), multiple potential engine issues, overheating, faulty control cable, LU problems, something significant wrapped around the prop/shaft, and it goes on and on.

It does sound to me like you have a fuel delivery issue or your idle is set too low/improperly. How do you know your engine was running "fine" prior to this issue appearing out of the blue? No disrespect intended, but perhaps the engine sounds fine to you but in reality she could be running too lean or perhaps another issue has evolved and over the course of time damage/problems may have occurred.

Point being, you really need to investigate and troubleshoot with a good manual and be open to the possibility that you may have several problems combining to make what you think is just one problem, stalling in gear. Good luck...
 

jason32038

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
555
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

Inspect those cheap plastic connectors that connect the towershaft to the trigger. They can crack.
 

jstang209

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Jul 10, 2009
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10
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

If it was a fuel pump problem would the engine start perfectly?
 

huskerdaninva

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 18, 2009
Messages
240
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

An outboard can start and run w/ a faulty fuel pump. At idle there is much less back pressure from the water to overcome, especially if running on muffs, but when increasing engine rpm's much more back pressure must be overcome and if a fuel pump has issues it will show up at higher rpm's. I would strongly suggest that if you don't have a manual for your engine that you get one. If nothing else you can read and learn about your engine. Hope this helps.
 

jstang209

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Joined
Jul 10, 2009
Messages
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Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

Inspect those cheap plastic connectors that connect the towershaft to the trigger. They can crack.

can you elaborate, I've only took the engine cover off like one time so I dont no what the exact location or names of the parts
 

dkettler

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Aug 3, 2010
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Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

Did you check the carbs? I had the same problem and found out one of my carbs was leaking gas and flooding out my boat after I rebuilt the carb I had to replace it because the hole where the seat and needle went was bad now the leak is gone and the boat starts up great. I did notice that after I had the carb issue I had to replace my plugs because of the flooding and only havving to cylinders running good it fouled out my plugs after I replaced them the boat runs great.
 

jstang209

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Joined
Jul 10, 2009
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Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

whats a proper way to inspect a carb, just look at it while the engine is running?
 

foodfisher

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Feb 18, 2009
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Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

Man! You need a book or an experienced outboard mechanic friend.
 

huskerdaninva

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 18, 2009
Messages
240
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

can you elaborate, I've only took the engine cover off like one time so I dont no what the exact location or names of the parts

WOW! If you have owned this motor for more than two days you should have had the cover off more than you say! You need to become intimately familiar with your motor. You should get to know every inch of that motor, just like you would know every inch and curve of your sweetie!! You need to learn to "listen" to your motor, more times than not she'll "tell" you what the problem is IF you know what to listen/look for.

Look, go to your local library and see if they have a manual for your motor that you can check out for a week or two. Spend some quality time with the manual and your motor and learn the "exact locations" and "names" of the parts. Do a little digging and you may just diagnose your own problem.

From the sounds of your posts it sounds to me (not trying to be judgemental)as if you are seeking/hoping to find the easeist solution to your problem(s). You need to be of the mind set to expect the worst case scenario, and if anything else is the problem youll be pleasantly surprised. Don't be scared or nervous working on your engine, but do be motivated and take your time and do not get frustrated, that's when the real trouble starts! Hang in there and good luck. Let us know what you find...
 

jstang209

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2009
Messages
10
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

well I'm still in the works of trying to find a manual for these engines, but I really wanted to take my boat out this weekend so I changed the plugs and cleaned the filter and she started right up. I took her out and she ran fine until I was on the way bringing her in, about 5 minutes away from where I docked she died and wouldnt start back up for a couple of minutes, it eventually started but only ran for a couple of seconds then turned back off.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,071
Re: 85hp force keeps dying on me :(

The library should have the books you need.Or you can get it through them.J
 
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