1996 FORCE Starting Problem

Hello all,

I have had my Bayliner (1996 model) with a 120 HP FORCE engine for almost 4 years. Ever sinve i bought the boat , i am having problems with starting.
I can start the engine with choking. But afterwards generally after the engine stopped, one should be able to start the engine without choking. But time to time i had to choke it even if i drove the the boat 4 hours.

The 1st time i took it to mechanic for this problem, they said that there was water inside the engine due to blown gasket , and they changed the gasket.

The 2nd i took it to the same mechanic, they said that it needed starter.

and now it does it again. Last week i went fishing and the very 1st time i topped the gas tank. When we get to location for fishing i wanted to slow the boat for trolling but as soon as put it low gear, it stopped. And when i tired to choke-start it, there came a heavy white smoke from engine. And after that i again choke started it and drove the boat for a while (like 15 minute) with full speed, it was OK. But as soon as i stopped the engine, it always started by choking action.


Did anyone have the same problem before, or does anyone know what it is that causing this problem?


Thanks


Jay

Re: 1996 FORCE Starting Problem

When you are starting the engine, are you using the fast idle position? If you don't choke the engine, does it backfire periodically? Have you ever done a decarb to your engine? Do you know what the compression is?

Last but not least, are you mechanically handy at all?

John

Re: 1996 FORCE Starting Problem

Hello John,

Thanks for your response and questions. I will answer those below.

When you are starting the engine, are you using the fast idle position? ==> YES

If you don't choke the engine, does it backfire periodically? ==> I did not understand what you meant by backfiring but this year i was not able to start it regularly just by turning the ignition key. I had to use fast idle position choking.


Have you ever done a decarb to your engine? ==> NO


Do you know what the compression is? ==> NO


Last but not least, are you mechanically handy at all? => I am handy but not i never fixed a marine engine before. But one time to my curiosity i had open the carburator or my outboard engine, but not detailly.


I also want to mention one observation. 2 weeks ago when we went for fishing, for the 1st time since i had the boat, i had filled up the gas tank.
When it did not stay in troll speed , i was not able to start again. But when i was able to start it by choking, there came a very heavy thick white smoke from engine.


Thanks

Jay

Re: 1996 FORCE Starting Problem

I suggest two things. This assumes you have fairly new and clean plugs.

1. Go to the FAQ section of the maintenance forum and look up the process to Decarb your engine. This will free sticky rings and clean the varnish out of the passage ways.
2. If you look at the intake manifold, it has a hose underneath. This hose is to suck fuel that normally spits out of the carb back into the crankcase. The fitting on the engine side of the hose has a very fine orifice. It gets clogged and causes the oil to get sucked into the lower carb. This causes hard starting and white smoke clouds.

John