88 Force 125 Power loss

[barry]

88 Force 125 w/ Bayliner Cobra, bought used this spring...Runs great when cold, but chugs heavily when it warms up. My first thought was the water pump, but I bought it used recently and don't have anything to compare it to - it pumps water, the water is warm, but not scalding.<br /><br />The marine dealer I had look at it said the pump was fine, compression, cylinders all fine. He changed out some seals near the crank shaft and the exhaust manifold gasket - no improvements (he and I have since settled). He also said to try it without the thermostat in to get some extra water going through (I'm not overly mechanically inclined with engines, but sounds kinda hokey...)<br /><br />I've also heard these have suspect CD / Power packs / stators, etc. Any thoughts appreciated. No emotional attachment to the boat at this stage, so if its "Walk away...".

 

[12Footer]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

This sure doesn't sound like a temp-related problem. It sounds like fuel starvation.<br />When it starts bogging-down, give the primer bulb a couple pumps to see if it runs better,even if briefly.<br />It could be a coil breaking down, but they are fairly rugged units. I would totally rule-out the entire fuel system first,before troubleshooting the electrical theories.

 

[barry]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

12Footer - Thanks for the reply. I've tried the primer bulb, but I'll try again this weekend.<br /><br />More details - The boat is in a fresh water lake in Ontario. Power loss is sudden when it happens, and sometimes will as suddenly 'power up' again.<br /><br />Regards.

 

[sony2001]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

When it bogs down is it running on two or three cylinders and which ones?<br />Probably intermittant electrical problem.<br />Whats max rpm when bogging?

 

[barry]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

I suspect the way to check that is to pull plug wires one-by-one when its running rough, and see which have any impact on the condition. I'll try that as well. Thanks Sony.

 

[Navigator]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

Bar-7<br /><br />Adding to 12-footers comment,<br />Make sure you undo the fuel pump where its attached to the engine. There is a metal screen in there that is designed to catch anything before it makes it to the carbs. You may have a piece of debris in there that occasionally flops around and blocks the fuel flow. <br />I had an issue like this on my 85 Force several years ago. It may not be it, but it would only take you 3 minutes to rule it out.<br /><br />Nav.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

Bar 7, what color Coils an CD modules do you have? blue ones? are you useing surface gap plugs? [flat on the end] you may have a weak ignition, try a set of standard gap plugs in it, they take less power to fire....an NGK B9HS-10 will do the trick...try it, may well be the cheap fix your lookin for...

 

[barry]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

Navigator - I'll check the fuel filter screen. I cleaned it in the spring, but who knows.<br /><br />ODDD1 - I installed a set of the 'flat' NGKs at the same time (per the Owner's Manual). I'm at the 'try anything' phase, though, so the regular plugs are worth a shot. I'll peak at the CD / Coils, but I believe they were in fact blue.<br /><br />Thanks guys.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

flat7, those flat ngk's.......the manual may well recommend a BUHX....these are what we have problems with..it is a booster gap plug......try a BUH or a BUHW in it ...if this is what you got, I'm not helpin much....

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

I say take the NGks out and go with Champion plugs, as the manual says. I have the same problem let me know what fixes it. If I let mine run at idle for a while it will stall but if I prime the bulb everything is fine. I am going to purchase a new bulb thingy and try that.

 

[barry]

Re: 88 Force 125 Power loss

ODDD1 - Installed the standard gap NGKs as suggested, and cleaned the fuel filter (per Navigator - there was some sand in there), and it seemed to run fine. It wasn't an extended drive, so we'll need a few more hours to see. The coils / modules were a bright blue - no name on them, but the logo looked like a head and shoulders profile.<br /><br />12-Footer, Sony2001 - If it acts up, I'll try the primer bulb and cylinder search you suggested, and post again.<br /><br />Thanks guys. If this works my biggest concern will be winterizing it.