Force 120 L-drive issues

pigster30

Cadet
Joined
May 16, 2003
Messages
13
I have a 1990 Force 120 L-drive in a Bayliner. I have had nothing but problems with this boat, here is the latest. I just put on a new exhuast and head gasket as it was taking water into the cylinder. It started fine once I fixed this and then I took it on the river, cruising along at 40 mph for about 5 minutes when the boat just dies. There was no sputter or nothing, it died in an instant. So after getting pulled back to dock by a fellow boater, I took her home and discovered I am getting no spark to cylinders 2/3/4. One good thing, there was no water in the cylinders (LOL). I ran down every wire and balanced it off the wiring diagram as well, all was fine. Any ideas on why I lost my spark so quickly? Anyone know of a boat mechanic in the Louisville, KY area that works on these L-drives. Every boat dealer around here runs when I tell them what kind of engine I have and then they say sell it as fast as you can.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Force 120 L-drive issues

most likely it was either the CD's or the stator, check the condition of your stator i had the same problem and it turne out to be a bad stator.
 

Schoe

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
14
Re: Force 120 L-drive issues

I have the exact same boat and I love it, but I know 2-stroke engines. I agree with boater dude. Check E-bay for come cdi units as they go rather cheaply there as opposed to the dealer. if that does not do it, its the stator and that is an E-Bay item as well. The reason most boat dealers shun the L-Drive is that they don't know the L-Drive. It is simply a Force 120 outboard engine power head stuck inside a boat instead of hanging off the stern. It is a good design and works well, if you watch the engine.
 
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