Force 120HP, problem solved

[NFA]

Hey everyone, I've been posting the last year or so in regard to a problem I've been experiencing with my Force.

I would go to fire it up, prime the bulb, make sure the battery was fully charged, etc. The starter would push the piston up and crank the flywheel, but very VERY slowly, most of the time, only 1 crank, then stop...and then 1 crank again. At first I thought it was the battery and lack of charge, so replaced the battery, put in new spark plugs, cleaned out the poles / terminals, sanded them all down.

Anyways, after all that, I was still having the same problem. So I pulled the starter, had my mechanic look at it and he said 1 whole brush was shot and the other ones were on their way out. So he rebuilt the starter for me, cost me $100 and now it starts almost immediately!

So I'm glad I've fixed the problem, just wished I had have done that last year, but figured it wasn't the starter because the piston was always springing up, just not spinning the flywheel consistently and fast enough.

So on to bigger and better things, I picked up a can of Power Lube, going to spray it into the throat of the carbs while in idle, high idle, let it sit for a few minutes and then run it up the lake and blow it all out.

Couple of things...

What is the best material to use to combat basic, low levels of corrosion found on the engine block? Screws, bolt heads, etc? I've used Vaseline and WD40 in the past, is this okay? I just want to protect it from the salt as much as possible.

I think I need to do the leg oil as well. Any easy directions in doing so?

Thanks for all your advice and help everyone, it's truly appreciated;


Scott

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

So I had the boat out last night, started up no problem. Ran it at WOT for a good 10 minutes, purred like a kitten. Stopped and threw in some carb cleaner, smoked the hell out of the place, let it idle for a minute. The shut it down to let the cleaner do its thing (approx 15), fire it back up and ran it again at WOT for a good 15 minutes to blow all the carbon out of it.

One issue I have now is that it is conking out when I put it in gear. Not all the time, but I should be able to throw it in gear and just go. Right now it's idling around 800RPM and I think it should be around 1000-1100RPM. Am I correct with this? In the low RPM it's conking out and I'm assuming that if I can up the idle a little bit, I won't have the conk out problem.

Is it just a matter of turning a screw (like other engines?) when it comes to adjusting the idle? And if so, where is this screw or adjustment?

Thanks in advance everyone;



Scott

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Idle should be about 700-750 RPM IN forward gear. Thus, you cannot set it in the driveway. The idle set screw is on the lower portion of the linkage tower. It is a fillister head screw with a locknut. You loosen the nut, turn in the screw to raise the idle speed, and re-tighten the locknut.

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Thanks, I didn't check the idle in gear, just neutral idle. Any idea what it should be in neutral? I'm guessing 900-1000?



SSS

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Latest update, had it out today and it's sitting around 5-600RPM idling in gear. It sounds way too low. It conks out from neutral to forward gear. Not always, but it shouldn't be doing it at all. Could it just be the idle setting? What is the optimum idle setting? Judging by this engine and observing the various idles, I'd say it's around 1000-1100?

Thanks everyone, still plugging away!



Scott

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Anyone have a weight spec for the Force? It's a 120, 1992 I think? What's the average weight for this? I'm looking at a 150 Suzuki and 150 Yammie. The Yammie is weighted at 490lbs, would the Maxum transom be able to handle this? Curious, thanks.



Scott

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Bump, thanks

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Anyone with any info on the weight of this engine? Thanks.

Pic of the engine here...

http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/scottsusin/detail?.dir=d1bfscd&.dnm=9a73scd.jpg



Scott

 

[steelespike]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

120 Force is 300 lbs.If the Maxum is rated for 150 it should be ok.
A 150 Etec 20" is 419 lbs.

 

[mergedplot]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

From what I understand (and also need to adjust on my 120) is idle should be 900 to just under 1000. Good luck.

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Hey Matt, just read through your post and it sounds like the same problem I'm experiencing. I haven't had the boat out since my last post, that's why I haven't posted anything. But I would like to learn how to adjust the idle as well. Not sure how to go about doing this? Anyone with any tips, or links on the net? Like I said, the idle is sitting around 5-600RPM when it could be up to 900-1000ish.

Any advice, suggestions, let me know, thanks in advance!



SSS

 

[crpietschmann]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Your problem sounds like the problem I'm having (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=196361 ); my engine idles fine (does sound a little high though around 1000 - 1100), and even idles fine when in gear. But, when I give it gas to go faster than Idle speed the engine dies. I also recently purchased this engine and took it off the boat it was on (which ran perfect) and put it on my boat.

I am starting to wonder if my throttle cable or idle needs to be adjusted. Any suggestions?

 

[skibug]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Your problem sounds like the problem I'm having (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=196361 ); my engine idles fine (does sound a little high though around 1000 - 1100), and even idles fine when in gear. But, when I give it gas to go faster than Idle speed the engine dies. I also recently purchased this engine and took it off the boat it was on (which ran perfect) and put it on my boat.

I am starting to wonder if my throttle cable or idle needs to be adjusted. Any suggestions?

If it idles fine both at rest and in gear, but tries to die when you give it gas, it sounds like it's time for a carb rebuild, not an idle adjustment.

 

[viking66]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

I had that problem with my 1996 120. It ran good when gas was given to it, but wanted to die after I slowed down and put it in idle.

I replaced the fuel lines, bulb, checked for any blockage, and found none, and rebuilt the carbs.

I finally decided to rebuild my fuel pump. Real easy, and quite inexpensive to do, on mine anyways.

My manual calls for 750-800 at idle in gear under normal load, not sure if a 92 is the same.

Not sure if this helps, but I have not had my engine die on me in 1.5 seasons so far.

Thom

 

[NFA]

Re: Force 120HP, problem solved

Update...

I've taken the boat out a few times since my last post. Before heading out the first time, I stopped by my mechanic (he's on the way to the lake, very niiiiice), and he showed me where the idle adjustment is.

Got it to the ramp, launched it, fire it up, no problems. Hit the middle of the lake, set it to idle, and adjusted the idle from there. I set it around 1000-1100. Since the adjustment I haven't had any problems with the engine dying in neutral. One problem I did experience was that the engine wouldn't kick into neutral (I'm guessing due to the high idle). After that happened, I dropped the idle a bit, now around 900ish. Since then I have had no problems. The engine also starts more quickly (as it should I think).

I think next up will be a fuel pump rebuild. Anyone with any links or info?

Thanks in advance everyone;


Scott