Newbie Needin Some Help:1990 90 Hp Force

bluebrownie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
201
last year i bought a 1990 90hp force...sweet condition.... low hours, 1 owner... motor ran great, although i have a minor problem...i hope.... starts up great, idles great, but as i slowly put it into forward from neutral or reverse from neutral, it starts to sputter and will conk out... BUT if i push it into forward more quickly, no problem.... runs super on the water....i am taking it out of storage getting it ready for my summer vacay with the family and want to fix this....hopefully not at a dealer.....if i can avoid it... i am decently qualified to do some minor sorts of things mechanically... ANY IDEAS OF WHAT IS WRONG and HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED....thx and have a nice day
 

bustermin

Banned
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
315
Re: Newbie Needin Some Help:1990 90 Hp Force

Sounds like it needs a carb adjustment at best, carb rebuild at worst. i would do the rebuild anyway simply because you had the problem before and now it's been sitting and the problem will only worsen from sitting. i would also change fuel and all fuel filters, and change plugs and wires and start season off fresh.
 

GrindKore

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
211
Re: Newbie Needin Some Help:1990 90 Hp Force

What you describing sounds like a normal operation. When you shift from neutral to forward or reverse gear you want to do it with a quick snapping motion. If you move your throttle slowly, the motor wont have enough momentum to turn over when the dog gear engages the prop shaft gear and load is applied.

When you shift, move the throttle some ways out until rpm are audibly increasing, then ease back to idle speed. And running some sea-foam additive to decarb your engine is aways a good idea during mid-season.
 

bluebrownie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
201
Re: Newbie Needin Some Help:1990 90 Hp Force

thx....what do you mean with this statement:

"When you shift, move the throttle some ways out until rpm are audibly increasing, then ease back to idle speed. And running some sea-foam additive to decarb your engine is aways a good idea during mid-season." explain that to me , the idiot....

tx... i really appreciate that...someone else told me thats a normal operation issue..... just seems wierd that when i am ready to ease away from the dock... i need to punch it or it will conk out.... tx for any info....you guys are the greatest
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: Newbie Needin Some Help:1990 90 Hp Force

I will to tell you the story of life!

You know: The carbs hang out front like women's boobs and every man wants to play with them. Just like with a woman, if you play with them and don't know what you are doing, you will get in trouble. Contrary to what many on this forum think, I maintain that messing with the carbs should be one of the last things you should do.

NOW: ANY Force engine should go into gear and idle at a specified minimum speed without stalling. SO; when you put it into gear slowly, it should continue to run. SIMPLE! However, to avoid wear on the clutch dogs, you should not "ease" the engine into gear, but "snap" it in firmly. A mild "clunk" when engaging is normal.

These engines have very cold sparkplugs that tend to foul with use. One of the first symptoms of fouled plugs is low idle speed, failure to idle, and stalling. So: Before you start to mess around with anything else, clean or change the plugs. Now, check your idle speed. It NEEDS to be 700-750 RPM in forward gear, in the water, or the engine will stall frequently when put in gear. If it is not, and you move quickly into gear and increase speed, the engine will not stall, just as what you are experiencing.

Now, if this does not help the problem, then it is time to clean the carbs and fuel system. Be sure to get a manual so you can synchronize them properly if you remove and clean them.

And that, my friend, is the story of life!
 
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