force 125 damaged

[thom4372]

Hello,

I recently acquired a boat with a old force 125 outboard and took it out to the river. As soon as I would throttle up the engine the trim motor would give out and the engine would slam all the way down. In reverse the engine would kick it self out of the water becuase of the trim motor. Is this the hydraulic cylinder thats bad or something else? I also noticed a film on the water when I was parked coming from somewhere around the motor.

More problems. I also noticed that when the boat is running full speed it pulls to the right very hard and when I hold it straight the entire boat lists to the left. When at slow speeds this didnt seem to be a problem.

Even more problems. So crusing along at full speed I hit a rock and completely broke off my skeg and a fin on the prop. I know these will need to be replaced but as I was motoring back to the dock running at maybe half speed, very suddenly it felt like someone had throttled back. My hand was on the throttle so I know it didnt move but it felt like the cable came out of adujstment?? I dont know but for a first run on this boat I seem to be doomed.

By the way my boat is a 1986 19ft bayliner capri cuddy.

Thanks for the help or suggestions.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: force 125 damaged

Sounds like the Hydrolic pump might be leaking or the tilt cylinder seals are gone.
Pulling to the right is probably the steering fin.Turn it to the right if it pulls to the right.Listing to the left is probably too much weight on 1 side.
AS far as performance and cables you need to do a compression test and see check the results then do a spark test.That can be done at home.
Fix the prop then go for another ride.J

 

[thom4372]

Re: force 125 damaged

Thanks for the reply. The first thing on my list is the prop. Also I dont think its the hydro pump becuase the motor will go up and down but it drops quickly when up and dosnt hold down when reversing. As for engine problems Ill have to diagnose and see what I find but the list to the left is confusing. It will do that even while I am the only one in the boat. When stopped it is level. When full speed it is a good list to port. On a full speed turn to the left I almost rolled the boat because of the list.

Any other ideas on the list?

 

[john from md]

Re: force 125 damaged

You'd better buy a depth finder before going out again or your pocket book is going to be empty!!!

The pulling to the right can be adjusted by moving the snout behind the prop. You will have to buy a manual to tell you the exact procedure as I don't have it commited to memory. The pulling and listing can be more pronounced if you have a hydra foil on your engine. If you do, take it off and try it without it, after you fix the lower.

If you were operating the engine at half speed with a torn up prop, you may have damaged it more than just hitting a rock. I suggest you tear the lower down and make sure nothing else is damaged.

John

 

[thom4372]

Re: force 125 damaged

You'd better buy a depth finder before going out again or your pocket book is going to be empty!!!

The pulling to the right can be adjusted by moving the snout behind the prop. You will have to buy a manual to tell you the exact procedure as I don't have it commited to memory. The pulling and listing can be more pronounced if you have a hydra foil on your engine. If you do, take it off and try it without it, after you fix the lower.

If you were operating the engine at half speed with a torn up prop, you may have damaged it more than just hitting a rock. I suggest you tear the lower down and make sure nothing else is damaged.

John

I finally got a shop manual so this spring will be gear case tear down time, and I did find the snout and adjusted it. The worst part about the accident was the fact that I do have a depth finder. I was running in about 5 to 6 feet and suddenly it dropped to 2 then BANG. I know now not to take that route anymore.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: force 125 damaged

On some boat/engine combos, if the engine is at full trim in--like yours is because the trim won't hold--They will steer very heavy and sometime pull to the right.

Unfortunately, because of the trim cylinder, a 1/2 inch tilt bar can not be inserted through the engine clamps like on non-trim engines.

For the time being, take two 1/2 inch stainless bolts and two 1/2 inch stainless couplers and put them in the third hole out in the engine transom clamps. Put the bolts on from the outside and the couplers inside. The engine will now bear on the couplers. This will position the engine somewhere close to correct running position. (Cavitation plate parallel to the hull bottom)

The attached thumbnail will enlarge when clicked and shows hex couplers and bolts.

 

[thom4372]

Re: force 125 damaged

thats a great idea, im going to try it this weekend. Thanks!

 

[RRitt]

Re: force 125 damaged

your trim problems sound more like a blown trim piston ring or rusted out tilt bypass valve. Pump problems rarely kick out in reverse. In some cases they may slowly drift up in reverse but kicking up quickly is very rare from a pump ... well, unless somebody took the valve body apart.

Try lifting engine (with boat out of water) and plugging tubes with 3/16" brake fittings from NAPA. If it drops with the cylinder tubes plugged then your slave cylinders have gone bad. If the rams are bad then there is no easy way to confirm/deny hydraulic pump.

 

[G.I. Jim]

Re: force 125 damaged

Just my opinion but I wouldn't go anywhere near full speed in five feet of water, just asking for trouble.

 

[Stachi]

Re: force 125 damaged

I would suggest opening up your shifter assembly to see if you do not have wires shorted inside....my tilt trim on 1990 Bayliner had broken wires inside the shifter handle.....yours may be shorting and operating the cylinders as you shift into forward and reverse.. the wires snake down and around the handle along the base of the shifter.....let us know what ya find

 

[thom4372]

Re: force 125 damaged

I know this is an extremely delayed reply but just wanted to update everybody on what I found. Who knows this may help somebody else with these problems.

The trim pump valve body needed to be replaced because the o rings inside of it were causing the leak down/up. Once replaced it held like a champion. I repaired the skeg and prop which turned out to be my problem. Even if the prop is slightly out of balance the motor will not fully power up. Now my problem is lower unit seals but Ive got a kit coming for that.

Also a little clarification, I boat on the susquehanna river so 5 feet is deep for me haha. Thanks again for the help.