Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

[jnpcook]

I see on these forums several people have mentioned that the Force motors are easy to work on and will last a long time if maintained properly. Being new to outboards could you please provide a list of the recommended maintenance items required to keep my motor running for a long time?

Thanks,

John

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Hi John

If you are thinking of servicing & maintaining the outboard yourself it is much easier, if not essential, to have a workshop manual. The actual workshop manual for your motor rather than an after market manual is better. Can pick these up sometimes on online. Usually not too expensive.

As a list of some of the things.

Check prop & grease,
change gearbox oil,
check trim oil,
grease various places on motor,
compression check
sparkplugs (inspect - replace)
check spark
service carburetor,
change various filters
inspect wires
check thermostat
set timing
check battery
etc

I?m only new to this as well but it very satisfying to maintain your own motor. It has given me more confidence in the motor not to mention saving some money. It?s a pretty steep learning curve at first.

The manual has a maintenance section to leads you through the process but if you get stuck there are some very generous people on this site that will help you out.

Good Luck

 

[jnpcook]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Thanks TwoFish:

I already have completed step 1. I bought the actual Factory Service Manual off Ebay. It is the manufacturers manual and shows everything about replacing all the different parts and overhauling the engine and the powerhead, etc. Very comprehensive. I don't remember seeing a section that mentions routine maintenance and how often to perform different maintenance tasks but I will check when I get home tonight to see if I missed that section.

I hope to be able to do all my own maintenance. I do have the advantage that I know a friend who owns a machine shop and used to be a mechanic on a race car team and he is very knowledgeable about all types of engines and carb rebuilding, etc. He and his son just ripped out the engine on his son's jeep as it blew two fist size holes in the engine block. They had the job done in less than a week and he runs his own business so he just did the engine work after hours. Also everyone here is very helpful and I appreciate everyone's help on these forums. I hope to be able to pass on the knowledge I learn here someday when I become more proficient at outboard maintenance and repair.

John

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Hi John

Let me know if the factory manual has a maintainance section.
If it doesn't I might be able to give you a rundown of the maintainance table in my manual.

You friend with the workshop is likely to be very useful.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Attended a motor maintenance course tonight & this was part of the notes.

100 hour schedule for Mercury.

 

[jnpcook]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Thanks TwoFish. I printed that out and will run through the list.

 

[jnpcook]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

No, my manual doesn't have a maintenance schedule in it. It just shows all the repair informaiton.

 

[hays]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

No, my manual doesn't have a maintenance schedule in it. It just shows all the repair informaiton.

looking at maint. book. it does not show me a picture of lower unit screws to drain and refill. i see two screws side by side and a smaller one about 12 in. below them. could the two side by side screws be the one's i'm looking for. which one do i turn first to drain off. thanks hays

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Drain is way down under the torpedo, pointing to the ground. Top two are fill and vent. The one midway is the do not touch screw. aka clutch pin.

 

[hays]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

Drain is way down under the torpedo, pointing to the ground. Top two are fill and vent. The one midway is the do not touch screw. aka clutch pin.

thank's man, i will keep scrapeing paint to find these screw holes. the owner before me love to paint this motor, i guess a good thing.

 

[emoney]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

The "do not touch" screw is on the bulbuous (sp?) part of the lower unit, roughly. You should be able to follow the prop shaft forward, towards th front, and find it. The others should be directly above and below this one. Doesn't seem like paint should be hiding them, however. Might want to start a new thread with a nice profile picture.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Recommended routine maintenance for 125HP Force (1986)

The original post is over 2 years old.
If you need help start a new thread.J