125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

[iwaterdave]

1985 Powerhead on a 1989 125 Force Outboard

I just got back from a test run after fixing my last problem witch was it would not stay started for longer than 1 sec. I adjusted the shifter bolt at the front center of the engine and now it starts. 1st problem fixed.

2nd problem...
Now when I put it in forward or reverse it dies. However not 100% of the time... sometimes it will stay running and start moving me along and then I can pick up speed and cruise! But other times it just dies and I have to restart the engine and that sometimes can be up to 3 times before it stays started again.
Now most times I can shift it to forward or reverse and give it a little more gas than usual and it will stay running then I can slow down to idle.
I tried:
1. Adjusting the idel screws
2. adjusting the shifter bolt in the front center of engine. (engine would not start again so I changed it back again)
3. tried to adjust the shifting linkage but was not sure what way to go... no change.

HELP!!!

 

[foodfisher]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

Most likely low idle speed, got a tach? Got a manual? Got clean plugs?

 

[iwaterdave]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

Idle speed huh? Thats adjusted by the idel screws on the carbs right? I tried that... I even adjusted it where I thought it was too rough. Hmmm....
No tach but do have manual. Plugs are new.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

NO!! Idle screw on the timeimg tower. Mess with the idle air mix screws on the carb without knowing what your doing could cost you an engine. Carb screw setting, to start is 1 1/8 turn out from "lightly" seated. Need tach to get proper idle speed adjustment, in gear, in water. All this and more available here in the forum using the search function. You won't have to wait for an answer that way. Just go get it.

 

[iwaterdave]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

Crap! Glad I asked... Ok I looked at my book and now know where the idle speed screw is at. Can I use a regular auto tach or do I need a special one?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

You need a 20 pole.Automotive won't work.
Some timing lights have a built in tach??
Or they sell an item called a Tiny Tach.Just make sure it's the right one.
Top post in the Force Forum.Linc and sinc from FrankA do this when you get the tach.J

 

[iwaterdave]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

You need a 20 pole.Automotive won't work.
Some timing lights have a built in tach??
Or they sell an item called a Tiny Tach.Just make sure it's the right one.
Top post in the Force Forum.Linc and sinc from FrankA do this when you get the tach.J

Thanks everyone for the advice. Woke up this morning to rain so it will be a few hours until I can get out and give it a try. Guess I got to go pick up a tach for boats or a timing light with a tach for boats... Just more tools the wife says.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 125 Force in Forward and engine dies... Reverse and engine dies...?

Here's a tach for a 20 pole stator.

http://greatlakesskipper.com/product/56_76_80-boat-gauges-outboard-only-tachs/13801-tg-faria-faria-tc9781b-us-marine-6000-rpm-outboard-boat-tachometer-gauge.html