Common L drive problems?

[92rslt1]

I have searched the net for the past few days in search of actuall information on the L drive system. Sifting through the scarse information I seem to be finding echoed rethoric from what appears to be people who have never owned one. I also know that 90% of people only post stuff when they have problems.

The reason i bought it was becuase I felt that theres so many out there on the water still even after 20 years, it cant be that bad.

My question is where can i find a list of L drive common issues or somone who has worked on them with experience?

Is the biggest problem the power head or the lower units?

I just bought one that has ran good for 20 years and it still runs good. The only problem is it was popping out of gear. I have a spare lower unit for it so thats going on it.

Also, apparently theres a bearring that commonly goes bad somewhere? It has been replaced and the carrier has been replaced as well. Can someone shed some lght on a issue they might have had with a bearing problem.

I want to make sure im educated so I know what to prevent or diagnose if something happens in the future.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Common L drive problems?

Common L drive problems?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... The Common problem with 'em is they're so Uncommon...

Good Luck....

 

[Don S]

Re: Common L drive problems?

My question is where can i find a list of L drive common issues or somone who has worked on them with experience?

Since the L drive is more of an outboard than an IO, I will move this over to the Force forum, perhaps they have more info.
They were only built for 3 years, 89 to 92. Lot of the parts for the drive and connection to the engine are NLA.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Common L drive problems?

Don't know of a list, but here is mine.

There are NOT very many on the water.
There are few places to get them serviced.
And fewer places that have the knowledge to service them.

Poor design from the start, so poor, they abandoned it in short order.

The same overheat problems that are had with Force outboards,, blown head gaskets and warped heads. Caused by no telltale, no pressure gauge, no maintenance.

Poor ignition system, early models had poor cd modules. Later models had poor stators.

Plagued with exhaust leak issues, gaskets and hose rot, caused water in lower cylinder issues.

Different crank spline counts from model to model to year, did not allow for swapping powerheads easily.

Lower units were fine, nterchangeable with several model outboards from various years.

l-drive unit bearings and damaged shafts are a problem, as replacements are not available. So parts are, as they are not drive or marine specific, just off the shelf auto parts.

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Common L drive problems?

Don't know of a list, but here is mine.

There are NOT very many on the water.
There are few places to get them serviced.
And fewer places that have the knowledge to service them.

Poor design from the start, so poor, they abandoned it in short order.

The same overheat problems that are had with Force outboards,, blown head gaskets and warped heads. Caused by no telltale, no pressure gauge, no maintenance.

Poor ignition system, early models had poor cd modules. Later models had poor stators.

Plagued with exhaust leak issues, gaskets and hose rot, caused water in lower cylinder issues.

Different crank spline counts from model to model to year, did not allow for swapping powerheads easily.

Lower units were fine, nterchangeable with several model outboards from various years.

l-drive unit bearings and damaged shafts are a problem, as replacements are not available. So parts are, as they are not drive or marine specific, just off the shelf auto parts.

So what can be done to prevent the overheating?

what does it mean when it starts a solid beep after running with the muffs on for a minute?

Also, I was attempting to swap the lower unit but I cant get my shift shaft out of the lower unit. Whats the trick? does it need to be fully dissected?

thanks again. I really like the boat. I'm hoping it works ok for me.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Common L drive problems?

Continuous beep is the overheat alarm.

How to prevent:
Replace the impeller as routine maintenance- annually- and after running thru a sandbar.
Do not run the motor on muffs, they either don't fit properly on a Force lower, or they fall off, or they don't seal effectively enough to get water to the powerhead.
Use a tank, tub, or garbage can instead of muffs.

Install a telltale, or water pressure gauge, and monitor it while underway.

I would suggest getting a Clymer repair manual for Force motors. And keep an eye out for a factory service manual, specific to the L-drives. You can find them on ebay occasionally.

To remove lower unit:

after disabling the motor so it can't start-

lower the gearcase
disconnect gearshift by removing the connector at the top, then you need to remove a screw, and a cotter pin.
Then raise the gearcase, remove the 2 screws on the exhaust snout, then the screw hidden under the snout.
Then remove the 6 large screws holding the gearcase.

Yeah, get the manual, cause I don't know how to describe where the connector, screw, and cotter pin are located.

 

[maxum_man]

Re: Common L drive problems?

i have a 1992 120 hp l drive in a maxum 2100, and I seem to be having an engine problem. I just ordered a new switch box for mine and will install it this week. It will only run up to 2500 rpms in forward gear. Other than that, knock on wood, it hasnt had any problems. I HAVE changed the entire ignition system, just shy of the switch box though.

May not be a Force L Drive specific problem, but I thought I'd throw it out there!

 

[WhiteRob]

Re: Common L drive problems?

For the 2500 rpm issue, I would suggest removing the carbs and clean them, then adjust the air screws back to the factory settings (in a manual) then re-install and adjust about a quarter turn at a time making sure all are even. (just did that to mine after having the same issue, and it fixed it)

 

[maxum_man]

Re: Common L drive problems?

Really? I just had them cleaned and new needles installed. He said he didn't mess with the air/fuel screws any. I had a Weak/Intermitten spark on #1 as well, so...my timing is almost Guaranteed to be off pretty bad too. I will put the new switch box on and set timing and adjust carbs accordingly. I did check them one day and both carb screws were exactly 1 turn out.

Thanks for the info!

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Common L drive problems?

ok, thanks for the info. I will install pressure gauge.

what psi should the pressure run on a boat?

I got the lower drive off, I was referring to the shift shaft that goes down into the lower unit. Seems that it unscrews like the manual says, but its in there very tight. do they all unscrew?

thanks again. very good info on here.

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Common L drive problems?

OK, I got it all set now. I took off the water pump and was able to thread the rod into it with ease. I also ordered a new set of seals and gaskets for it.

The old pump seal was covered with black rtv. Is that recommended for use on the gaskets? I watched a few marine doc vids and i didn't see any sealant being applied.



Is there a way to flush or back flush the whole cooling system to make sure theres no blockages? or should i just stick it in a barrel and test run it?

thanks