What type of adjustment do I need?

[Jabongans]

Hi Everyone -

I have a 1987 125HP Force and am having a small problem idling. When I disengage the throttle from gear (neutral) and put it 3/4 forward (which is as far as it allows), the engine starts and idles fine. However, when I attempt to put the throttle back at straight up/down, the motor quits. So I can never put it in gear because it dies first.

I'm figuring I just need a small adjustment - but I'm not sure where to begin. Do I adjust something related to the throttle/remote control or is this a carburetor adjustment?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

 

[roscoe]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

Turning the idle SPEED up on the linkage near the carb might do the trick.

But it is probably only masking the true problem.
Engine should be thoroughly gone through checking for:

weak spark on one or more plugs.
low compression.
dirty carbs.
mis-adjusted carbs
intake manifold or carb gasket leaks.

 

[Unbalanced]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

I'd start with a fuel system check - lines, filters, diaphram, carbs etc. Then do a link and sync.

 

[john from md]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

If this problem has come on without you doing anything to the engine, there is a chance that 1) it is getting carboned up and 2) your carbs are getting build up in them.

Before doing any adjusting, turn up the idle screw about 1/2 turn as Roscoe suggested. It that doesn't do it, turn it up another 1/2 turn. Now, if it idles, do a complete decarb as described in the FAQ section of the Repair and Maintenance forum on iboats.

If your problem is build up, you will probably have to turn the idle back down after the gunk is cleaned out.

If you haven't changed it in the last three years, it is a good time to replace the fuel diaphram and also to give the carbs a good cleaning.

Regards,

John

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

I say it over and over but nobody listens to me. Before you do anything else, CLEAN or REPLACE the spark plugs.

With Force engines, ANYTIME you have a hard start or idle problem the very first thing to do is clean or replace the sparkplugs.

Because of the nature of Force ignition systems: With fouled plugs--and sometimes they look decent-- the engine will cold start in the fast idle position and run well at high speed. The first indication of problems is hard starting in neutral and/or failure to idle at the proper speed, causing stalling when put into gear.

If replacing plugs does not solve the problem, THEN try other measures.


By the way: It is BRUTAL, but it sometimes works. In an emergency, start the engine in fast idle position and let it run for a few seconds to stabilize. Then, as rapidly as possible return to neutral and slam it into forward. If you are quick enough, the engine rpm will not drop to the stalling point and you will be able to take off in forward. Again: Brutal and rough on lower unit drive dogs and gears, and not really recommended.

 

[Jabongans]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

Tried all new plugs and adjusting the idle speed. Problem is getting worse. Now the motor won't stay on at all, even in neutral. Even after adjusting everything back the way it was - won't run for more than 20-30 seconds without quitting.

Does this mean I have narrowed it down to a carb problem? Any other suggestions? Thank you.

 

[john from md]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

I believe that your throttle cable is not adjusted properly. If this is not adjusted right, then you will not get a proper high idle or idle.

What you need to do is search for the following topics using the exact terms I have written down. Do an advanced search and highlight Force forum. In each, Frank Acampora explains the rigging of the throttle and timing of these engines. You should be able to pull what you need from these posts.

1. 87 Force 85hp link and sync question
2. '94 Force 90 Trottle Linkage
3. Throttle control has a huge deadspot???
4. 85 Force throttle

Regards,

John

 

[bustermin]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

i had the same problem recently. turned out to be a bad spark plug wire, it would run great in neutral i could rev it all day long in neutral, put it in gear and it stalled. i chased it down to a bad spark plug wire and replaced it and the problem was corrected.

 

[tonycrespo]

good luck with your problem...

 

[john from md]

Re: What type of adjustment do I need?

Tony,

Yes you can use the spare CD module but please start a new thread. It is not polite to hijack someone else's thread.

Regards,

John