Thermostat...Do I have one???

[Trailbum]

Hi Guys,<br /> I picked up a 2nd hand 1989 Force 15 HP last Spring. It seemed to run OK in a tank in the backyard. Hauled it up to Maine, put it on the boat and it died as soon as I got out of the cove. Wouldn't restart for several hours. Played with it for a few days, same story. As soon as the engine warms up, it dies and won't restart until it cools. I have a good, hard bulb on the fuel line. I don't have a steady water stream out of the exhaust, it seems to "spit", but I read somewhere in this forum that's normal for Force. The motor supposedly had a new water pump on it when I bought it. I've read in this forum that it's a very good idea to replace the thermostat too, but my Clymer's manual makes no mention anywhere about a thermostat. Does this motor have one, and if so, where is it???? Am I going in the right direction here or am I off base??? I also checked the compression in both cylinders and it reads 115/90. Was going to try to de-carbon the engine in an attempt to revive the compression, but it won't stay running long enough to do so. Also the steering is very stiff. Have to push as hard as I can just to make it move at all. Don't want to sink a ton of money into this motor if it's still going to be a piece of Sh**. should I continue with it, or just forget it and buy something more reliable (like a canoe???)

 

[crazyray2]

Re: Thermostat...Do I have one???

we guy we first need some details..... is there spark present when you get your no start condition?......fuel in carbs?......can you touch heads of motor after it runs for a few mins or not?.....compression readings would definitely make me think hard about sinking a bunch in this motor but it might be something simple and decarbing may help a bunch.....and the beat goes on .......

 

[Trailbum]

Re: Thermostat...Do I have one???

Thanks for the reply Crazyray. After reading some other postings, I realized that it only stalled when the cover was on. When I ran it in a tank in the backyard in May, the cover was OFF, and it ran fine at high speed. Got me thinking that the exhaust might be leaking into the cowl area and choking the motor (on exhaust fumes) when the cover is on. Looked in the cowl area and found an oily film on everything. Exhaust leak???? I also haven't ruled out the possibility of overheating just yet. <br /> Today I decided to tackle the stiff steering. I mean it took all I had just to get it to budge. Figured if I couldn't fix this, there was no use continuing if I can't steer the **** thing!! I've been a car guy for 25 years, but new to this outboard thing and not real comfortable messing with things I know nothing about. Well I determined that to remove the steering pivot shaft, the cowl had to come off. That means the powerhead also had to come off. Didn't look too tough and I had the whole thing apart in about an hour or so. I'm amazed at how simple this little outboard really is!! Found salt water corrosion on the steering pivot shaft and also the tilt shaft. Disassembled, cleaned, greased, and reassembled both. Steers and tilts very easily now. I still have the powerhead off and here is my next set of questions. Since the powerhead is off and accessable, should I go ahead and rebuild it??? When I last checked the compression in both cylinders they read 115/90. Should I try to de-carbon it first or just go ahead and rebuild it while it's out (I haven't taken the powerhead apart yet)??? Is there any way to inspect the water passages in the powerhead to insure that they are clear and not blocked??? I also did not find a thermostat yet. Is it hidden somewhere in the powerhead perhaps?? Is there a rebuild kit available for this motor??? It's an '89 Force 15HP, looks identical to same year Mercury and Gamefisher (Sears) outboards. I would at least like to replace all the gaskets in the powerhead, cowl, and lower unit. Can anyone point me to a source that carries full gaskets sets and maybe rings, bearings, etc. for this small engine??? The websites I have checked so far only seem to carry parts for the high HP units. I hate to start disassembling the powerhead if gaskets are not available... I think I might be able to revive this beast after all. I sure learned a heck of alot today. Don't know it all but at least I'm not afraid of it anymore!!!! Hated to have to stop and go to work tonight. Would like to spend all my time tinkering with it. I'll disassemble the lower unit over the next few days and check that water pump and the hard shifting into reverse. Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom. This forum is AWESOME!!!!<br /> Bill

 

[Valv]

Re: Thermostat...Do I have one???

Trailbum, been there before with a Mariner OB. Hard to steer (tiller). I greased all fittings, lubed tubes, joints, etc....nothing.<br />Well, after a study of where all the bolts are...there was an extra one under motor which didn't have a match on the other side....guess what, that was a bolt you use to set steering drag....talking about cussing to myself.<br /><br />Try to look underneath motor, right where it pivots left or right, if there is a bolt or big screw, it might be the one that makes steering hard or loose.<br /><br />Val