1988 50 Force excessive revving

[lastone2know]

Hello,
Today I was getting my outboard ready. I put the motor in a garbage can of water and started it. Starts up great and idles good but I wasn't sure if the wate pump is working ok or not. I saw on a previous forum it takes a couple of minutes for the thermostat to open so I waited about 4 - 5 minutes and no steam seemed to be coming out of the two little wholes in the front just exhaust. All of a sudden the engine started screeming at a really high RPM and it was still at idle. I tried to shut the ignition off but nothing happened. I had the cover off and I paniced and pulled the spark plug wires but that didn't stop it it just keep at that high RPM then I pulled the fule line. The thing was pretty much running with no fuel and no spark. I was worried it would overheat. I don't know how long it ran it seemed forever but it eventually just quit. I let it cool down and check the fly wheel and it spins freely. I am worried to start it again. Would anyone have any idea what could have caused that? Was it an overheating issue? The boat was in storage for 2 years is it possible the thermo and water pump are bad? Thanks in advance.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1988 50 Force excessive revving

You pulled the plug wires while it was running and didn't get nailed with 50-60,000 volts? Consider yourself lucky. First time that happens is a real thrill! Takes your mind off sex for a while!

 

[Bilge Monkey]

Re: 1988 50 Force excessive revving

What you experienced was a runaway motor Next time turn it off (If Your brave enough you can pull the wires) and hold the gas open. What happened is your plug got hot (Red Hot) enough that a spark was not required for it to run this is Usually caused by a Very lean Condition. I would replace the water pump and therm. after sitting for that long, that and how long was it since it's last rebuild? Better safe than sorry!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 1988 50 Force excessive revving

Turning the ignition off on a run away motor probably wont kill the motor. Choke it, cover the carb intake with a rag and disconnect the gas flow. Hard to do these things when the motor sounds like it is going to blow up.

Also decarb the motor with some deep creep or power tune and do it a couple of times. Chunks of carbon in the motor can become red hot and become the ignition source for the gas.

 

[Bilge Monkey]

Re: 1988 50 Force excessive revving

Turning the ignition off on a run away motor probably wont kill the motor. Choke it, cover the carb intake with a rag and disconnect the gas flow. Hard to do these things when the motor sounds like it is going to blow up.

Even harder when it happen's w/ multiple carb situations

 

[lastone2know]

Re: 1988 50 Force excessive revving

Thanks guys. I tell you what the first time you ever experience this it would deffinatly put a scare to ya. I will have my local boat mechanic take a look and check the compression carb and rep the water pump and therm. Come to think of it the motor hasn't been rebuilt ever. Was my uncles boat and was well taken care of. I don't think it has planned off once or twice a season. Thanks again folks glad to know I wasn't loosing it.