Newbie Force buyers guide needed

Hi, So I've been looking at several boats and all seem to have Force outboards. 1990 120HP , 1994 120HP, 1991 150HP. <br /><br />What should I look out for as far as problems go with these motors... I am mechanicly inclined but very new to the boating world.<br /><br />One guy with the 94' 120 HP said it was a 4-stroke. Can that be true?<br /><br />Thank you in advance for your knowledge

Re: Newbie Force buyers guide needed

Howdy, ebsworj.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />Force outboards tend to be fairly old technology. That is a double edged blade. They are easy to work on but need more care than many others. Parts can be a bit of a hassle to find.<br /><br />The '94 120hp is a 2 stroke. The guy selling it is either a liar or knows zilch about the engine. Stay away from that one. (He may have meant 4 cylinder).<br /><br />Get an on-the-water demo if at all possible. If not, drop your offer 20%.<br /><br />Good luck.

Re: Newbie Force buyers guide needed

when you get a force the first thing ya wanna do is change the impeller kit, t-stats and pressure contols, remove the head gasket and replace it clean the carbs and rebuild the fuel pump. also clean the puddle drains,later called a recirc system. if its a brunswick force with a black stator save money to replace it with the red stator kit when it fails. the kit is rather pricy .my experince with chysler,USMarine and later brunswick stuff has led me to some conclusions. 1 is 3,4 and 5 cyl motors pop head gaskets every few years for no apperant reason. if replaced as a maint procedure they never fail. the recirc screens clog rather easy. the fuel pumps last 2 or 3 years and can fail. the water pumps/housings fail in 3 years or less and most people that own a force can barly make the payments on the rig and do zero maintenance . so be aware that most likly nothing was ever done. get any and all maint and repair reciepts.