Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

B

bucket of rivets

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
47
I just bought a 15hp Force/ Gamefisher from a guy a work, it runs but runs rough.
I checked the compression, it's got 109/110 psi, but no spark on the lower cylinder.
The plug wires come from under the flywheel, unlike my newer motor, also a Force/Gamefisher 9.9hp.
What is the proper way to diagnose the ignition on one of these?
(I did switch the plugs, and even use a spark tester, but the lower plug wire has no spark).
 
jerryjerry05

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,072
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

Serial#??? A pic of the electrics will help too.
If both wires go under the flywheel it's possible it's a point's/condenser setup.
Post a pic and we will tell.J
 
B

bucket of rivets

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
47
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

The tag reads Model 225.581500 SER 2034
Its missing the primer bulb, it's been disconnected and removed, and the kill switch has been replaced with something generic. The wires are untouched. The prop is mint, the power head is still shiny and has no paint loss from heat. It came with the original owners manual and service manual, it looks like someone printed the service manual on a computer.
Both plug wires exit under the flywheel on the tiller side, (Port side).
Both plugs are new.
I only gave $25 for it, so I don't mind putting a little into it so long as its going to be a decent motor. Anything beats paddling I guess.
I did call one marina here and they pretty much told me to scrap it, but they sell Mercury only. I was thinking that since I read that Mercury bought Force, some parts may still be available.

By the looks of this thing it's not seen much use, and it came from a freshwater area, there's no sign at all of corrosion, the skeg is still intact, and the lower unit oil is clean.
My guess is that the primer bulb went bad and it got hard to start so they dumped it cheap.
 
F

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

bucket of rivets said:
I did call one marina here and they pretty much told me to scrap it, but they sell Mercury only.
Click to expand...

Figures... Why fix an old one when you can simply go out and buy a new one :facepalm::D

Mercury dealerships can sell/order parts for your Gamefisher/Force outboard, my 7.5HP Gamefisher even says something like "Force by Mercury" under the cowl. I have bought several parts from my local Mercury dealer, or had them order the parts in.

My 7.5 Gamefisher is around the same age and uses "BIM" coils. These are know to go out and probably why you don't have spark on 1 cylinder. Standard Magneto supposedly can make a replacement BIM coil, but it's not cheap, $75-100. CDI makes a complete new ignition system, but it's not cheap either, $150-200. I had a bad coil and bought the CDI kit, works like a charm. I also sold the other (still functional) BIM coil on Ebay to get someone else back on the water.

Check searsparts.com and see what the ignition for that outboard has, it might be points, though I'm thinking it has the BIM coils .

The primer bulb on my engine was shot too and it was a pain trying to find one. The clear plastic primer bulb can be pulled out of the rubber boot, and I seem to remember someone saying their local small engine/lawnmower shop had a generic primer bulb that would work.
 
B

bucket of rivets

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
47
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

I did some more searching online and according to one page at CDI, the Sears Gamefisher from 1986-88 uses points and magneto coils, so chances are the points need attention. I knew it didn't look like my 9.9hp, I just didn't think they used points this far into the 80's.

I was thinking of using a primer off a snow blower? One of those big round primer buttons like on the Snow Commander engines.

The kill button can come from anything, I'll probably just use a remote starter button from the auto parts store, they're water proof and should fit the hole. It'll also last forever.
I'll pull the flywheel off this weekend and see what's up. Maybe I'll get lucky and it's just a set of points.

If I need parts, I'll have to deal with Napa or buy online, I give up dealing with the local dealers when it comes to older parts. The only dealer that's OK in this area is the Yamaha dealer, but at this point, I don't own any Yamaha motors.
 
jerryjerry05

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,072
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

This site has some parts for the Force motors.
I find a LOT of parts on boats .net Franz marine(hope I spelled that right) and a few other places sell the stuff you need.
Real easy to work on and still TONS of parts available.
Go to Sears and try to find the part.
I looked there for a primer bulb and at first they said they didin't have it.Turns out a new employee that had NO parts exp.was working.
I stuck with it and someone else found the parts I needed.They said I needed to buy a $32 carb to get the parts to fix my weeder.
Or just leave it out and install a squeezie!!

Sent U a PM.
 
B

bucket of rivets

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
47
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

I'm not sure if a squeeze bulb and primer button do the same thing?
The primer button pumps air into the fuel bowl, pushing a shot of fuel into the intake, while a primer bulb in the line just fills the bulb, unless you really over do it and force the needle and seat open, which is basically what I've been doing to start this like it is now.
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

Sears still has the force primer bulb instock, one of the very few things they do have...I think its about 24$+$10 for shipping.
 
B

bucket of rivets

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
47
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

mrcrabs said:
Sears still has the force primer bulb instock, one of the very few things they do have...I think its about 24$+$10 for shipping.
Click to expand...

I think I like the idea of using one from a snow blower, the hardware store has them for $2.99.
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Force/Gamefisher 15hp (1986-87?)

please come back and show us how it works out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top