1989 Force 85 hp lost power while at high speed, gradually could only get 4-5 mph at full throttle
Last Saturday I was trolling for about 3 hours with a couple stops for casting. I then went up to full throttle to clear out the motor. I ran for about a 1/4 mile then turned around to go to the landing. After turning it gradually lost power until I could only get bout 4-5 mph at full throttle. It would not idle. At the dock I tried squeezing the priming bulb but there was no effect. At home I checked the compression of each cylinder, top to bottom: 130, 135, 130. Spark plugs were all oily and wet with gas. I checked the fuel pump and filter screen - they were ok. I removed the in-line filter and it was clean. The only odd thing is that when I ran it in a water-filled tank there was oil in the water! I checked the lower unit and the fluid is clean, no foaming. I don't see any lower unit leaks. It cranks strong and starts good but needs to be on full throttle. I'm at a loss as to what to check next. I'm thinking the oil in the water tank is from unburned gas/oil mixture in the exhaust (?).
Last Saturday I was trolling for about 3 hours with a couple stops for casting. I then went up to full throttle to clear out the motor. I ran for about a 1/4 mile then turned around to go to the landing. After turning it gradually lost power until I could only get bout 4-5 mph at full throttle. It would not idle. At the dock I tried squeezing the priming bulb but there was no effect. At home I checked the compression of each cylinder, top to bottom: 130, 135, 130. Spark plugs were all oily and wet with gas. I checked the fuel pump and filter screen - they were ok. I removed the in-line filter and it was clean. The only odd thing is that when I ran it in a water-filled tank there was oil in the water! I checked the lower unit and the fluid is clean, no foaming. I don't see any lower unit leaks. It cranks strong and starts good but needs to be on full throttle. I'm at a loss as to what to check next. I'm thinking the oil in the water tank is from unburned gas/oil mixture in the exhaust (?).
