Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

T

trevorcday

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 2, 2001
Messages
216
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

In my experience Forces have required much more than their share of major engine overhauls. We have had as many blown up Forces in our shop as all other makes combined. Here's a quote from the bathroom wall at the Toronto Boat show some years ago:<br />F ___'in<br />O ld<br />R epainted<br />C hrysler<br />E ngine<br /> :)
 
T

Trent

Captain
Joined
Nov 17, 2001
Messages
3,333
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Clanton..Dont mean to be stupid.. :) Any make and model??<br /><br /><br />Mrmerc...That was funny!! Sorry mr 12footer :)
 
M

my new fishmaster

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 11, 2001
Messages
256
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

I have a 96 force on my starcraft fishmaster boat. Its the 75hp motor and it does not have the power of my old 80 merc but these engines are identical in every respect? I have had the same problems with all my outboards bad gas! The only engine I have really liked and had no problems would be a Honda 4 stroke. They come with a price
 
clanton

clanton

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
4,876
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Trent,<br /> Force only, as bad as they are, should be cheap. I need then for a 23 foot Bayliner project boat
 
M

mbb

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
176
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

It might depend on the yr and model and phase of the moon. I once had 91 150 force. It was a pure chrysler engine. I was told it only made 125 on a good day, and I believe that was probably true. It was a very smooth and quiet inline 5 cyl engine. Major drawback was lower unit was undersized and it couldnt take a large enough dia prop for the boat it was on. Only problem I had was a powerpack that failed. Aggravations were no peehole ,no provision for T/T gauge, and stupid trailering bracket that wasnt built into motor , so it was destined to be lost.
 
O

ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Boy, I love an opininated topic!<br />people have been having this agruement since force started building in '84...and with the chryslers before that....when asked about force motors, my answer was [and is] "they are a good motor for what you pay for it, but there is a reason the others cost more"<br /> I always assumed that less initial cost meant a reduction in the things I might want in a motor.....like longer, more comprehensive warrantees...like better fuel economy...like long term durability with less than decent oil...like new technology for corrosion resistance....or my favorite, the ability to keep operating under adverse conditions and no maintenance.......<br />when people understand this going into a sale, the conditions are accepted as part of the deal..........but when newbies go boat shoppin at the local mall boat show and the nice salesman tells them all the motors are the same [apples to apples] and sells them a motor several thou less than the competition ...and later on this poorer boat owner finds out 'perhaps not,I have an orange' and the unhappiness begins....
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

GEEEZ Louise! I think we've beaten this one to death!
 
W

Walter

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
787
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

The other day saw a guy pulling a Bayliner/Force with a Yugo while listening to Milli Vanilli on 8 track. This package was all he could afford after cashing in his Enron stocks...<br /><br />Sorry...I was gonna let this topic go without responding...but you guys "Forced" me into it...
 
A

Alfred

Cadet
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
13
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

hey guys i'm a (beggining boater) who has alot of auto exp. (honda-acura, nissan) i just got my first boat at a auction for $150 that was boat motor and trailer. it came with a force outboard. being a tech I know all about maintenance. but I'm clueless on marines do you guys have any suggestions on what should be done initially and periodicialy :cool:
 
S

SeaDawg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
418
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Lauris, I would buy a Chilton or Seloc manual for the motor you have, and follow their suggestions as a start. With boat motors, it can turn into a pretty long list of maintenance items. I try to do them all, because I don't like being towed in.
 
H

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Hey Walter,<br />That wuz funny. LMAO.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty
 
M

mako

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 15, 2001
Messages
110
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Funny thing is I'm now boatless after giving the 20'Renken I had used back to my friend. I'm in the market for a boat again and am on a budget. Also I have about a 3/4 acre lot I've been cutting with my Craftsman push mower. So theres a pretty good chance I'll end up with a Force on a Bayliner and then cutting the lawn with my Murray. Hope you guys are available for help on small engine repair also :( :D
 
S

SeaDawg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
418
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Don't worry, these guys will help ya. They just love having fun with a topic like this.
 
V

va4vikings

Recruit
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Gee, I am using my 1987 Bayliner with a 1987 FORCE 125 (purchased new) and did not realize it was such a piece of garbage. Guess I will just going skiing again this week, cruise alittle and try to forget the fact that I have spent very little in normal maintenance over 16 years. <br />PS: the toddler that slept in the cuddy when I first bought the boat and motor, leaves for college in two weeks. I will not tell her to disregard all of the fun we had with the FORCE.
 
J

jrlogan11

Seaman
Joined
Apr 7, 2003
Messages
67
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

This seems to be an endless debate on forums like this. But I can't help but add my bit. People try and compare Force to junky stuff, and merc/johnson to the real quality/dependability, but sorry, it just ain't so. Anybody who knows anything about boats can tell you, any boat can break down and strand you. I don't care what brand, how old it is, nuthin, they all break. Can the same be said about cars/lawnmowers/whatever? No, it's almost unheard of a brand new toyota to break down, or a new john deer. So let's be realistic. Sure, force isn't the top of the line, but it's decent. Let's call it...Bud light (better than Milwaukee's best). Johnson, merc, evinrude, maybe a little better, say MGD. Lookin for the real stuff? Sam Adams, corona, etc? Sorry, they don't exist in boats! Heehee!
 
N

NCOffSeason

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 21, 2003
Messages
139
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Excuse me, but this is the Chrysler & Force Troubles/Repairs Forum. Why don't you people that bash the Chrsler/Force stay the hell out of this area? Seems to me if you don't like the brand, you should stay out of the forum...Duh. Most people that post hear already have one of these engines, so slamming them now is wasting everyones time. I bought a boat with a Force. My choice. I'll live with it, for better or for worse.<br /><br />Chris
 
L

lakeman1999

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 20, 2003
Messages
550
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

I have a "94" force "70" on my pontoon, that I am very happy with. :D :D but the "92" Johnson "40" on my fishing boat, is an object I wish I had never seen, and am trying to find a way to replace it now, without loosing my *ss on the deal. :mad: :mad:
 
J

jrlogan11

Seaman
Joined
Apr 7, 2003
Messages
67
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Just a quick response to NCOffSeason. Where else can a person find out about Force motors before buying one? The forum is supposed to be about Force troubles and repair, which is what this thread addresses, just on a more global level. Just a thought.
 
C

catfish1

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 23, 2003
Messages
683
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

ncoffseason, the topic is force engines, why such a bad reputation? i have owned a force outboard so i feel i can put my input here if i want. i am also willing to help the person that is having problems with their force, me being a previous force owner i had worked on mine alot! if everyone agreed that a force motor was a good motor, nobody would have anything to talk about. its hard to talk about a force without making a comparison to other motors. <br />a force motor will push a boat! not as well as a johnson. <br />a force motor will last as long as a johnson! "not likly"<br />a force motor cost less! "yes" much less.<br />would i buy another force? "no" i would save my money and buy a better motor. <br />some people have had good luck with them, and thats great. but most people dont!<br />just set a force next to a johnson and you will see huge quality differences, and that is a fact<br />the biggest difference you will see is below the powerhead, where the johnson will look like a log and the force looks like a twig.
 
N

NCOffSeason

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 21, 2003
Messages
139
Re: Force Engines - Why such a bad reputation

Talking about your actual, first hand knowledge on a subject is fine. I'm mad about the senseless and seemingly constant bashing of Force engines and Bayliner boats.<br /><br />If I ask a question, give me an honest answer from your first hand experience, not your opinion of a product. So your third cousins uncle had a Force that gave trouble, now they all must be bad. Get a life and stop the bashing.<br /><br />Chris
 
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