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  1. J

    1996 Force Mercury 120hp starts then dies HELP

    Most likely the fuel pump. It is really easy to disassemble but just make sure you keep note of all the orientation of the check valves. Probably a leaky diaphragm or stuck check valve. This is with the assumption the motor is not misfiring then most likely a faulty fuel pump. Note the fuel...
  2. J

    1988/125

    . . . after replacing head gasket that is.
  3. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    I cannot emphasize enough the need for proper cooling. I also wonder if he has any means of turning off the motor if it ever starts running. If the motor ever starts, it'll only take seconds to overheat which could result in catastrophic damage to the rings, piston and cylinder.
  4. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Already.
  5. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Instead of just choking one carb, use the small round bar on the other side of the carbs. Lift it all the way and that should close both choke shutters on both carbs. Here's a pic.
  6. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Setting the idle properly can only be done when engine is running. You can initially set it to make it start and run, e.g. setting the carbs idle fuel air mixture to 1.5 turns out from slightly seated on both carbs. And then the idle screw at the bottom of the timing tower, screw it in so the...
  7. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Ok. Try engaging the choke first and lets see what happens. Not sure but I do not see any cooling water connected. If this is the case, DO NOT RUN THE MOTOR MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS AFTER STARTING.
  8. J

    1988/125

    Just a reminder the head bolts need to be re-torque after about so many hours after replacing. Not sure how many hours, but usually I do it after completing the break in hours. However, in your case no break in is required since you did not change pistons or rings. Break in hours is 4 hours at...
  9. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Yep. I saw that but it was not enough. Lift it at least half way just to make sure it is not fuel that is causing the problem. One thing I noticed the way you are starting it, there's no choke applied. You can manually engage the choke while starting for the first time. If fuel is available on...
  10. J

    Bad trigger? Can’t adjust timing

    Do the above and pay attention to the grounding cable that connects to the engine block. This is the usual culprit when starter gets weak. DON'T JUST CLEAN IT. Disconnect it, clean the cable terminal to a shine and also the mating surface on the engine block. Reconnect tight and then put on some...
  11. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    And if by lifting the tie the unit starts, then you know it runs except that idle settings need to be adjusted. Try again first before going any further. And for further info, this is the idle adjustment. Need to loosen the nut first before turning in the screw (clockwise) to increase idle...
  12. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    As mentioned why did you not lift the tie bar high enough? Like half way. Hold the tie bar by its mid point and lift it half way. It sounds like the unit is fuel starved either because of improper idle setting or carb idle setting. The tie bar is just there, the flat white bar right under your...
  13. J

    Bad trigger? Can’t adjust timing

    Need to verify the timing is correct before investigating further. This is especially true after you made adjustments to the timing screw on top of the timing tower. Make sure you are only using a simple inductive timing light, without those fancy auto advance settings. Thereafter, check fuel...
  14. J

    91 force 70hp need help locating parts

    Last year when I have to do piston rebuild, I used Master Tech Marine at Maxrules.com. Note, MT still sells OEM pistons but I choose to go with the Wiseco pistons. Seems to be better than OEM's.
  15. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    The timing should be set at 30 BTDC (+/- 2 degrees). This is done at WOT in static mode. Static means the engine is not running or firing at all. There's a sticky in this forum on how to do it or on Youtube. Anyways, if it started and then died, did you try having someone do the starting while...
  16. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    If it sputter then it is most likely a fuel delivery or carburetion problem. But can also be spark timing problem. Let us focus on these two problems for now. Check all plug wires with the switchbox to make sure it is all in correct orientation according to wiring diagram. 1991 120HP Wiring...
  17. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Great. Hairline gaps on the reeds is acceptable. After rebuilding the carbs and it still would not run, have a small spray bottle filled with fuel-oil mixture. Remove the air covers from the front of the carbs and if possible have a 2nd person doing the cranking. Place the throttle on fast idle...
  18. J

    What is this part called on Force 125

    Back to the original question, the black plastic block that is broken is a mating part of the threaded stud with nut on the foreground of the pic. The nut is use to lock the set timing. The function is for setting timing on the engine. Engine timing on this motor is fully mechanical in...
  19. J

    Force 120hp won't start

    Understand you are on vacation now. When you dismount the both carbs check the following: 1. Using a flashlight, look through the intake manifold adapters and check the reed valves. Even better if you have spare gaskets, dismount the reed blocks. All reeds must sit flat on the block. If not you...
  20. J

    Erratic Timing Light Reading on '96 Force 120

    Congrats on the new (to you) boat! I'm presuming it is an inboard type motor?
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