1985 35 hp Force

[jberk]

I was given an 85 35 hp Force and was told that it won't start, idle or run unless it was at full throttle. The carb has been gone through and the gas is fresh. He said it could be the exciter. I haven't tried it yet since it came off a pontoon and has controls instead of a tiller. Any suggestions?

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1985 35 hp Force

Yes, buy a Clymer Force repair manual, or a factory manual, and start reading. You should start with the basic troubleshooting.

Check compression, spark, and fuel delivery.
Check, clean, or replace sparkplugs.
Make sure the choke is operating properly.

try it out.
Get a small squirt bottle and put premixed fuel into it. You can use it to spray fuel directly into the carb throat.

Get back to us and let us know exactly what the symptoms are when you start it up.

 

[jberk]

Re: 1985 35 hp Force

I have great spark and tested a few other things. I did a compression test and found I only had 25 lbs. in the cylinders. I have not torn into the engine yet but before I do is there anything I should focus on as the most likely culprit?

 

[Nate3172]

Re: 1985 35 hp Force

Try de-carbing the engine and then check the compression again. In case you are unsure on proper method for checking compression on these engines then I'll give you a quick run down. After de-carbing the engine make sure it's warmed up good. Remove all your spark plugs. Leave the ignition switch off. By-pass the neutral switch so it can be turned over with a remote starter button hooked up to the starter solenoid. Find a way to hold the throttle wide open without also putting the thing in gear. I usually just use a piece of mechanics wire and tie the throttle linkage open at the carburetors. With your compression guage installed, start checking the compression on each cylinder. If they are still really low on compression, I would be leaning towards the rings needing replaced. If worn bad enough, possibly need to have block bored and get oversized pistons and rings. The compression is most likely the cause of the starting issue though.