First time boat in water with problem.

[birdgod]

Hi all, today I finally have a chance to put my boat in the water and test it (1989 force 85hp). However I have some problems that need to be fix to make it a more enjoyable.
1) the motor take a long time to get start. I have to try it like 30 time before it starts. but once it start. it is easy to get it restart. How do i fix this problem?

2) The motor is not running strong at idel. When i try to shift it to forward, it dies(luck the motor start back up easy after it warm up). I have to try to shift it to forward before I can get going. But once it is going it is very smooth and gain speed very fast. Is there a way I can increase the RPM for idel so that it wouldn't die on me when i shift it forword?

Thanks

 

[rickmann]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

first of all,go to the auto parts store and ask for a can of seafoam,its the best product out there,just mix it in your gas,cost around $10,will see results almost instantly,and as far as trying to get it started right away,my ignition is a push in choke and i was doing it until i caught a snap,now i choke it once or twice and it starts right up,not saying thats what your doing.but try the seafoam and it will clean ot any gunk out of carbs and it shoud do away with the dieing when shifting and also the idleing part

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

For cold starting, you need to put it in fast idle position.
There is either a button to push, or you pull out the throttle handle and push it forward. Then make sure the bulb is hard, and the push the key in for choke and turn the key. It should start right up.
Mine had the the same problem until I read these instructions on this site.

Good luck,

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Thanks I will give it a try. i also have another problem, the speed meter is not working. how do i fix it? it is just not moving at all.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

And, of course, before you go changing any settings, remove the sparkplugs and either clean or replace them. The surface gap plugs are prone to oil fouling and the first symptoms of problems are hard starting and failure to idle.

Anytime any Force or Chrysler engine is hard starting or fails to idle well, the FIRST thing to do is clean or replace the sparkplugs.

Sparkplugs: Champion L20V (322), NGK BUH or BUHW

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

And, of course, before you go changing any settings, remove the sparkplugs and either clean or replace them. The surface gap plugs are prone to oil fouling and the first symptoms of problems are hard starting and failure to idle.

Anytime any Force or Chrysler engine is hard starting or fails to idle well, the FIRST thing to do is clean or replace the sparkplugs.

Sparkplugs: Champion L20V (322), NGK BUH or BUHW

But I have already clean the sparkplugs before. It does look a little dirty and oily before and look good after i clean it. And the problem is get it fire up at clod start after that it just fire up every time. Second thing is that the motor idel is ok, engine sound good and run smooth. The problem start when I shift it to forward/backward. it die before I can put down the handle a little more to give it more gas, and when i mange to get it up to speed it run very smooth. Do you thing it is the spark plug? or i just need to adjust the idel RPM a little higher?

 

[roscoe]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Open fuel tank vent

Check the kill switch, place in "run" position

Squeeze fuel primer bulb till firm.

Advance the throttle 3/4 way, without putting it in gear. -- This is done by either pushing a button in the center of the controls, or pulling the shift handle toward the driver, or raising the fast idle lever, all depending on what control unit you have.

Activate the choke by pushing in on the key.
Turn the key to start while continuing to hold the key in.

Release the key and choke when it starts.

3-5 seconds of "choke", is usually enough.

Be ready to pull the throttle back toward the idle/neutral position, when the engine starts and the revs increase.

Continue to pull the throttle back as the engine warms up.

You should not have to use the choke much, if at all, once the engine has warmed up.

Engine should start within 10 seconds of turning the key.

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Advance the throttle 3/4 way, without putting it in gear. -- This is done by either pushing a button in the center of the controls, or pulling the shift handle toward the driver, or raising the fast idle lever, all depending on what control unit you have.

well. I have no idea what is the type of control I have. I think it is the stanard type where the shift stick with a release button on it. I have to hold down the button before shifting. The fist 1/3 push activate the gear. If i continus to push forward. It increase the throttle, so I can't really advance the throttle without putting it in gear. The only way is to open the outboard cover and use hand to push on the throttle control.

Also the boat will not start unless the handle is in nutral possition.

 

[CapCramer]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Look for a button about an inch across sticking out the side of the controls. If there is a button, push it in and at the same time push your control handle forward about 3".
This should put you at fast idle in neutral.

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Look for a button about an inch across sticking out the side of the controls. If there is a button, push it in and at the same time push your control handle forward about 3".
This should put you at fast idle in neutral.

ok, try that. but the starter will not even move. i can only start engine when the handle in right in the middle.

 

[mddubya]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Pull out on the handle, it should pull out a little from the the housing. If it will, pull it out and push it forwards. You are still in neutral but can give it throttle.

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Pull out on the handle, it should pull out a little from the the housing. If it will, pull it out and push it forwards. You are still in neutral but can give it throttle.

Cool, did know that. will give it a try. Thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

OK! Now that we have eliminated fouled spark plugs, and since the engine runs well at high speeds, we now suspect the idle setting. The engine idle may SOUND OK, but the proper idle RPM is 700-750 IN FORWARD GEAR, in the water. Lower than this and the engine will usually stall at idle or when you try to accelerate slowly, even though it runs well at high speeds.

SO Look at where the throttle cable connects to the linkage tower on the engine. On this funny shaped piece of metal is a screw with a locking nut. This screw bears against the block at idle and is the idle stop screw.

Loosen the locknut and gradually screw in the screw 1/4 turn at a time until you get a reliable idle in forward gear in the water. Between each setting, accelerate the engine with the control handle and bring back to neutral. If you don't do this, the idle will not return to the proper setting. If you have a tachometer, set the idle to 700-750 RPM.

At this RPM, the engine will "Clunk" a but when you snap it into gear but it should not "slam" or be excessive. You must move the handle quickly to engage the gears; do NOT "ease" the engine into gear. The rattling sound you hear when easing is the clutch dogs bouncing against each other and wearing.

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

OK! Now that we have eliminated fouled spark plugs, and since the engine runs well at high speeds, we now suspect the idle setting. The engine idle may SOUND OK, but the proper idle RPM is 700-750 IN FORWARD GEAR, in the water. Lower than this and the engine will usually stall at idle or when you try to accelerate slowly, even though it runs well at high speeds.

SO Look at where the throttle cable connects to the linkage tower on the engine. On this funny shaped piece of metal is a screw with a locking nut. This screw bears against the block at idle and is the idle stop screw.

Loosen the locknut and gradually screw in the screw 1/4 turn at a time until you get a reliable idle in forward gear in the water. Between each setting, accelerate the engine with the control handle and bring back to neutral. If you don't do this, the idle will not return to the proper setting. If you have a tachometer, set the idle to 700-750 RPM.

At this RPM, the engine will "Clunk" a but when you snap it into gear but it should not "slam" or be excessive. You must move the handle quickly to engage the gears; do NOT "ease" the engine into gear. The rattling sound you hear when easing is the clutch dogs bouncing against each other and wearing.

I have additional question about the handle(speed control) when on land with engine off, I open the cover and look at the motor as i push the handle. Lets use the clock as a referance. when i push from 12-11. I can see the gear goes into place. when i push from 11-10 nothing happened. from 10-9 then is when it gain speed to the highest.
Now when in the water. the idel sound ok and it will not dead, when i push from 12-11 the idle sound like it is getting slow. By the time I push to 11 it dies. The only way i can get it to stay working is to push the handle to pass 10 right away from there the motor work good.
Now I am thinking why is the handle no doing anything from 11-10? and it felt kind of "lose" at that position. Maybe the throttle cable is lose? I have never drive a new boat before that is why I can't tell if the handle is the way it is suppose to be. But by logic shouldn't the handle be gear control at 12-11 and throttle control from 11-9?

now this is a big problem from me when i need to load the boat back to the trailer. I have to try many time before i can get it to slow speed enough(restarting the motor like 30-40 times) .

 

[birdgod]

Re: First time boat in water with problem.

Anyone can answer my previous question?
btw can anyone tell me where is the idle adjust?