Force 90HP '92 won't start

[TahoeDave]

I have a 92 90HP Force that won't start. I've checked the fuel pump(replaced diaphragm/gasket) seems fine.<br /><br />Gets spark. If I put a little fuel on the spark plugs it will fire but won't keep going.<br /><br />new spark plugs seem to have some small liquid droplets(i assume this is water, seems as though it is) on them after I try to start.<br /><br />I got it to start once. It ran to about 3000RPMs at WOT for about a minute then died.<br /><br />I hooked it up to a portable gas tank with Fuel that I knew was good and it still won't start.<br /><br />How could water get into the cylinders other than through the fuel?<br /><br />Any ideas on what to check for now? <br /><br />Thanks for any help.

 

[JB]

Re: Force 90HP '92 won't start

Howdy, Dave.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />Time to stop guessing and do some troubleshooting.<br /><br />Go to the Engine FAQs and do the "Outboard wont start" procedure.<br /><br />Let us know what you find, and good luck.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Force 90HP '92 won't start

Kindof hard to tell your experience level from just one post, so don't get offended if I mention things you already know, just trying to cover the bases.<br /><br />Is this a new problem that just popped up?<br />Have you had the motor long or is it new to you?<br />Has the motor ever run properly?<br /><br /> Was the motor in the water when you started it?<br />It should have been, as the engine needs the water to cool it.<br />If it wasn't in water, then you probably overheated it and caused seriouse damage.<br /><br />Ran it at 3000 rpm -- ?<br />Was this in water, in gear? or neutral? <br /><br />coolant water can enter the cylinders from a blown head gasket or the exhaust manifold. If it overheated, it likely blew the gasket, or worse.<br /><br />Three basics needed for an engine to run:<br />Gas to cylinders - Compression in cylinders - Spark<br />Check for gas to cylinders<br />Check compression<br />Check spark<br /><br />What is your starting procedure?

 

[TahoeDave]

Re: Force 90HP '92 won't start

Roscoe,<br /><br />Thanks for the reply. I would never call myself and expert but I think I can get by. I've done the basic outboard won't start procedure. compression, fuel and spark good <br /><br />Is this a new problem that just popped up? New, engine was serviced last year and ran fine last year. two years ago replaced impeller<br />Have you had the motor long or is it new to you? had the engine since 1995<br />Has the motor ever run properly? yes, but it has had issues. replaced stator in 98, had fuel pump replaced in 2000.<br /><br />Was the motor in the water when you started it?Yes, boat is on the water, engine in water<br />It should have been, as the engine needs the water to cool it.<br />If it wasn't in water, then you probably overheated it and caused seriouse damage.<br /><br />Ran it at 3000 rpm -- ?<br />Was this in water, in gear? or neutral? in water in neutral at the dock. I actually got it to start for a minute, which makes me think I can get it running. and like I said if I put a littel fuel in the cylinder behind the spark plug I get it to fire but won't run.<br /><br />If fuel is coming out of the hose from the fuel pump to the carbs could anything cause it to not fire if compression and spark are good? maybe there is water in the carb bowls. I'll be honest I can't check everything because it is in water and it is hard to work on.<br /><br />coolant water can enter the cylinders from a blown head gasket or the exhaust manifold. If it overheated, it likely blew the gasket, or worse. <br /><br />I'm leaning towards a head gasket after reading the clymer manual a little more. It is on the water so I don't want to mess with taking it off. I was hoping to get it to run so I could get it on the trailer correctly. It is a 24 ft pontoon and hard to get on the trailer without power.<br /><br />I've never seen this liquid beading on the spark plugs before. I assume it has to be water, it looks clear. I hooked it up to a portabel tank with known good fuel just to make sure it wasn't a sour fuel problem,<br /><br />Any help is appreciated.<br /><br />Three basics needed for an engine to run:<br />Gas to cylinders - Compression in cylinders - Spark<br />Check for gas to cylinders<br />Check compression<br />Check spark<br /><br />What is your starting procedure? pump primer bulb, turn on battery, lower unit into water, turn ignition.<br /><br /><br />Any thoughts would be helpful

 

[roscoe]

Re: Force 90HP '92 won't start

3000 rpm is too high to run an outboard without a load on the motor, try to keep it under 1200-1500 in the future.<br /><br />Still could be a fuel delivery issue, plugged carb(s) etc., or a compression issue. I would go pick up a compression gauge ($15-30) and check compression before working on the carbs.<br /><br />Starting - can you really start that motor without using the choke? If so, you have been lucky, Perhaps it was an oversite in your post, or maybe you are not aware there is a choke, you wouldn't be the first. <br /><br />The choke is activated by pushing "inward" on the key while turning it to the start position.<br /><br />So:<br />Open gas tank vent<br />pump up the primer bulb<br />battery on<br />Push throttle control forward or use fast idle lever if you have one<br />push in on key - turn to start position<br />release choke when it fires.<br />you may need to "bump" the choke/key after it starts to keep it running till she warms up<br />back the throttle down to a fast idle<br /><br />Don't crank it too long and overheat the starter or wear down the battery.<br /><br />If you advance the throttle and use the choke for a couple minutes, you can actually flood the motor, which I guess in this case it would be a good thing, as it would confirm you are getting fuel to the cylinders. If so, remove the sparkplugs and see if there is fuel on all three.<br /><br />Keep us posted.

 

[bobrock]

Re: Force 90HP '92 won't start

check the quality of the spark with a spark tester ... it should jump a 1/2 inch gap with a crisp blue spark ...<br />this motor is INFAMOUS for bad low speed stator burnouts <br />to check ...<br />the blue wire from stator to switchbox should be 200 volts <br />the red wire from the high speed stator should be 20 volts