89 Force potential Reed Problem???

[fabrc8r]

I acquired a boat from a friend in NC. The boat had been running but the past couple times bogged down heavily. It was repaired and ran well again, now I am up in PA trying to start the thing with muffs on and it turns over great but the plugs aren't getting wet at all. The carbs are putting gas out and we put a small amount of gas/oil in the spark plug head and started it and it ran great for 2 seconds.. could this be a reed problem? Gas isn't getting from the Carbs to the Head. I have a manual coming but i want to try and get this running for the fishing season.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

What part of PA are you at? if you are close to Philly, drag it to my house and I'll take a look at it. It is highly unlikely that all three sets of reeds are bad, so it should at least try to start even if one cylinder has bad reeds.
Contact Tonyonmemory@yahoo.com for directions if you want to come.

 

[fabrc8r]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

I'm in Northern PA, 5 miles below NY border. It really wants to start but isn't getting gas, crank and ignition work great. I turned it over while my brother held a spark plug and its getting plenty of spark. Where shouuld I start looking first for any issues? Is there anywhere on line to look at this engine for free?

 

[roscoe]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

Are you using the choke?
Is the choke working?
Are you advancing the throttle at least to 3/4 throttle?
Have you pumped the fuel primer bulb till it gets firm?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

I didn't see any indication what model we are dealing with.
Carefully squirt fuel mix into the carbs it should light off.If it starts then you most likely have fuel supply problem.If the motor has sat a lot the fuel system is probably gunked up.Usually requires checking the system from tank to carb with special attention to cleaning,condition of lines,connectors and connections.

 

[fabrc8r]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

Engine Make is a 85 HP Force. Yes we pumped the primer bulb till it got hard. We bled the carbs and they are getting gas. I used the choke, it has an electric one. Haven't been able to 3/4 throttle it. When i pull the shifter out to just use the throttle it won't got forward, I think its an adjustment under the engine. Might be the throttle cables need reworking. The problem to me is between the Carb and the head.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

Some of these engines just won't start if you don't first put them in fast idle or as Roscoe said: 3/4 throttle. Depending on your control, this means either pulling out the handle then advancing the throttle or pushing the center button in the handle or pushing or pulling a separate button on the control. This disables the shift and you then push the throttle as far as it will go.Usually somewhere around 1/2 to 3/4 travel. Then push in on the key to choke while turning to start position. You say the carbs are functioning but did you prime them by pumping the bulb in the fuel line? you need to squeeze it until it gets firm.

If this doesn't start it and the plugs are dry, then you need to check the fuel system. Start at the tank and work your way to the fuel pump and carbs

 

[RRitt]

Re: 89 Force potential Reed Problem???

not that this is the best or most likely suspect - but it is possible ...
if an engine sits around long enough for the gas to evaporate and the 2stroke oil to dry out ... then you can get a gunky residue all over the inside of carbs. In some cases this gunk can make an engine hard to start. I wouldn't think it too likely to be your problem because the gunky buildup would probably affect your gas bowl needle valve. Pumping the bulb would overflow gas onto your engine - which you probably would have noticed. But still, it is possible. If all other roads lead to a dead end then maybe flushing out jet passageways will fix you up. One of my engines once had that 3/4 throttle thing going. After cleaning out the jets with a pipe cleaner (and new fuel diaphram) it ran like new.