How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Hi guys,

Just wondering how to put the throttle in a "start" position? Is it by using the bar under the throttle? If so do i press it in and push the throttle forward? Boat turns and starts but then dies down... I had it running and it ran very well but I can't seem to master the start. Thanks in advance.
 

Fishin Magician

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
123
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Hi guys,

Just wondering how to put the throttle in a "start" position? Is it by using the bar under the throttle? If so do i press it in and push the throttle forward? Boat turns and starts but then dies down... I had it running and it ran very well but I can't seem to master the start. Thanks in advance.

I bet if you post a picture of the CONTROLS ..you will get flooded with answer's.........anyway
my neighbor has that motor....his throttle lever is straight up and in neutral....he turns key to the right and "pushes it in" to activate a choke....or somethin.......and then turns "further right" to fire starter.....

don't know for sure....give it a try.........and good luck

FM
 

emoney

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
2,551
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Depending on your setup, "yes". On mine, I have a button in the center of the throttle towards the bottom that allows me to move the throttle forward without engaging any gear. It's a "warm up" thing. After I pump my fuel bulb, I push that button in and push the throttle as far as it will go, and then bring it back to about 1/2 way. Then, while pushing the key in for the choke, I attempt to start it. As soon as it "hiccups", I stop pushing the key in and it will usually fire right up. Make sure you keep your right hand near the throttle so you can bring it back down some after it starts and don't forget to have the vent open on the fuel tank, if you have a portable one.
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Thanks guys, really appriciate the help. Just to clarify. There is no neutral lock button towards the bottom. Just a bar right under the top of the throttle lever. Does pressing up that lever dissengange the gears so that I can rev??
After I push in the key I can here the elec choke and then I turn further and it starts... but not for long. Any further tips can really help. Will try again when I take the boat out tomorrow!
Again many thanks, this boat is new for me and this forum is amazing
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Thanks guys, really appriciate the help. Just to clarify. There is no neutral lock button towards the bottom. Just a bar right under the top of the throttle lever. Does pressing up that lever dissengange the gears so that I can rev??
After I push in the key I can here the elec choke and then I turn further and it starts... but not for long. Any further tips can really help. Will try again when I take the boat out tomorrow!
Again many thanks, this boat is new for me and this forum is amazing

Is anyone aware of pull out to engage neutral? Saw this discritpion on a different thread:

"you need to pull outward where the handle rotates to access the throttle only feature:

in the neutral position, grasp the larger circular area where the handle pivots with your left hand and pull towards the centerline of the boat"
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

I bet if you post a picture of the CONTROLS ..you will get flooded with answer's.........anyway
my neighbor has that motor....his throttle lever is straight up and in neutral....he turns key to the right and "pushes it in" to activate a choke....or somethin.......and then turns "further right" to fire starter.....

don't know for sure....give it a try.........and good luck

FM

Hi Fishin' Magician, Just wondering if you know if your neighbor is doing anything at all to the throttle after/while he does the starting procedure you described above. That is basically what I have been doing but had A LOT of trouble getting it to go. I assume after it starts you need to "give some gas" to keep it going?
 

scottmm73

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
261
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Is anyone aware of pull out to engage neutral? Saw this discritpion on a different thread:

"you need to pull outward where the handle rotates to access the throttle only feature:

in the neutral position, grasp the larger circular area where the handle pivots with your left hand and pull towards the centerline of the boat"

Yes, my Maxum operates as such.
 

emoney

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
2,551
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Just replace "push button" with "pull out" and the rest of the procedure will stay the same.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,071
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

If you have the lift bar to raise the idle???
The shifter stays in neutral,the bar lift it all the way.
Then turn key to first position,push in for choke and then turn to start.
Get ready to lower the idle lever as it could make the motor run too fast.

If it stalls when you drop the lever then the idle needs to be set up.

Now's when we need pics and info on the motor.
Year,model,serial#s etc.
They make a BUNCH of shifters for outboards.


Not sure I've seen a Force shifter with the lift bar,how about a pic?
 

scottmm73

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
261
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Yeah, I'd prefer to wait on pics before I post my start procedure. If our controls are not the same, it wouldn't matter.
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Guys thanks a million for all the help. This forum is just the best. Here are the pictures hopefully they will give a better idea of what I'm dealing with.photo (4).jpgphoto (5).jpgphoto (6).jpgphoto (7).jpg
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Info on the motor: (to best of my knowledge):
1987,

Model: 856X7B
Serial: 4353

anything else i can put up. let me know.
 

Fishin Magician

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
123
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Hi Fishin' Magician, Just wondering if you know if your neighbor is doing anything at all to the throttle after/while he does the starting procedure you described above. That is basically what I have been doing but had A LOT of trouble getting it to go. I assume after it starts you need to "give some gas" to keep it going?


yeah ..after looking at your pics...looks like you just pull out the base of the throttle / shifter lever to be considered in neutral...and you can then rev your engine in forward or reverse........push key in to activate your choke and then turn again "right" to fire starter....
you may need to advance throttle a little ( in neutral ) to warm engine up ......you are supplying water I assume...

this is just my guess..there are alot of ppl on this site that know what they are talking about so.....try and absorb everyone's input...
I think you will get the help you need....no worries mate..hehe.....good luck

FM
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

same boat - here is my starting procedure:
right hand on throttle
use your left hand to pull the base of the throttle out, should come out about 1/2 inch
while pulling with left hand, advance throttle forward to put motor into neutral fast idle
you'll know if you did it right because the boat won't start if its not in neutral.
push key in, should hear a click, keep pushing in
turn key to the right (still pushing the key in), motor should try to fire up
as soon as it does, stop pushing in the key
start to back down the throttle slowly, until motor is warm, then just idle for a bit.
I added the tell tale so as soon as i see water spitting out, its anchors up and away
 

emoney

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
2,551
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

By the way, that "bar" that you're talking about under the handle is essential like a "clutch". Squeeze up on it to engage forward or reverse. DON'T squeeze/press it in for the "warm up", just when you're on the water, ready to go into forward or reverse.

Just follow the steps above and you'll be fine, but don't forget to prime the fuel bulb and turn on the water before you do anything, if you're starting it in the driveway. If you're in the lake, then just prime the fuel bulb, then follow the steps above.

It's a carb'ed engine, so it needs a little gas to get going. That's the whole point to the "warm up" procedure. When it's warm, after it's been running for a while, you shouldn't have to do anything but turn the key to re-start it.
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Thanks a lot guys. Will try this evening on the lake and report back. Appriciate all the help very much. I have an owners manual for the force engine in PDF form if anyone is interested. Also have the manual for '87 bayliner. If any one needs it just give me a shout. Thanks again guys.
 

newboad

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
18
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

Hi guys, ok so just have been out on the lake and ran into a couple problems. Boat was a little difficult to fire up even using the method described above (it did fire up though). The SECOND I put it into gear it would die shortly after. Also died once while I was just in neutral with the throttle pretty low.
I guess my question is what could be causing this and the following come to mind:
1) Bad gas (not sure when the guy I bought it from last used the boat)
2) Spark plugs are bad (I checked and they seemed pretty sooty and even some tangible grime on there, again may point to bad gas will replace these tomorrow)

In addition to the above, I managed to start the boat yesterday without using any throttle and drove it for about 1.5 hours, it seemed to ride very well during this time. It did die when I was slowly bringing it back unto the trailer.
ALSO I drove it for about 30min with the guy I bought it from and it ran really well this entire time.

Any advice on whether or not to drain the gas or use some seafoam? My plan now is to buy a huge water tub and idle the baby in the driveway before I take it out back on the lake. I will be changing the plugs and trying to fix that gas problem. Any help is as always highly appriciated. I just cant figure out why it ran (what seemed to be really well) on two different occasions but now will die every time I put it in gear!
 

scottmm73

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
261
Re: How to start engine 85hp 1987 Force

First, how old is the fuel?

Off the top of my head and along with what you plan.

Compression test
Clean and inspect carbs
Sync carbs
Check fuel pump diaphragm
Replace fuel lines

I'm sure Jerry will have something in the morning for you.
 
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