Need help!!!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Hey guys my 120hp 1996 Force on my 18 is giving me problems. Here is what happened:

The last couple of trips it has been getting a little hard to start and doesnt want to idle correctly. I just figured it to be time to change the plugs. Well while out this weekend I got where we were going and after deciding to leave had to give it alot of gas to get it to start. It ran rough and sounded flooded. After running to another spot and shutting it off I had to change plugs to get it to start again. After that incident we headed in...It ran great at anything over abut 2500rpms so we ran our 12 mile run back to port. As we got close to shore it acted like it totally quit on one or two of the cylinders and within a few seconds shut off completely. It would not crank again. I got it home and went and bought a brand new set of plugs, changed em...NOTHING. I checked for spark, fuel, and it wont even TRY to crank. I am going to order a repair manuel this week as I dont have one. I was thinking maybe stator???

HELP!!!!

[chumbucket]

Does sound electrical in nature. But, you also need to troubleshoot your fuel delivery. Start by eliminating the tank and fuel line and run off of a gas can. That would rule out any blockages in the tank or lines leading up to the motor. The fuel pump also needs to be checked.

If you do a search in these forums, a lot of this stuff has been brought up in the past. You might find a lot of useful tips.

Good luck.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Yeah CB thats what I meant when I said I checked "fuel"

I done that yesterday, hooked it up to my 6 gal tank out of my small boat. Nothing. :P

[golver1]

Really sounds like a bad fuel pump or clogged fuel lines. I am limited in my Outboard motor knowledge, but I have had fuel pumps die on me before.

Generally the symtpoms sounded the same.

Then again, since it won't crank, sounds electrical.

LOL, sorry I can't be more help.

How is the battery? The posts? Alternator? If the alternator or battery was going or had weak connections you may have to run at high rpms to keep enough power flowing to keep the motor running.

[macojoe]

well its eletric, I have had that problem with a old Johnson. One of the points were not opening causing the plugs to foul after every trip. And if it was a long trip I would have to change at sea.

Get the book and trouble shoot it!!

Then sell it and get a good motor!!!! Sorry but you all no how I feel about Force!

[phester]

Is'nt Force made by Mercury ? Most Mercurys as a rule are pretty good,...how bad can a force be?

[phester]

sorry stinky,I did not mean to redirect your thread.

[Stinky_Hooker]

MJ I am not putting any major money in this 18 because when the 20 is done ITS GONE!!!


I have had another force before and to be honest I love em. Only thing I dont like is they use too much fuel and are underpowered IMO.

My 20 WONT have a Force on it, but I aint going changing this one after its run great for years, and I got a bigger boat on the way.


Yes it is made by Merc. The older ones were made by chrystler and they SUCK!!! This is a 96 though and it is basically a stripped down, basic, underpowered Mercury. ::)

[Vic]

Stinky does sound like ignition to me. I'd rule out plug wires even if you have to make your own.