1992 Force 120 won't start at all

[donie]

Hi all<br /><br />I have a 1992 force 120 that was running fine but got progressivly harder to start and now won't start at all. Plugs are oily when removed but I presume this is due to the fact that it's not starting. This engine was recently fitted with a new (blue) stator.<br /><br />I'm not sure whethere I have spark or not as I won't get to investigate until the weekend but I was hoping to get pointers on how to test things like the electrics and maybe fuel system. <br /><br />I have the manual but I'd be wary of stripping a carb but anything else would be Ok. What is the best way to test the electrics without special test equipment. I just have a standard multimeter.<br /><br />Thanks for any insight to this problem.<br />Donie

 

[CBU]

Re: 1992 Force 120 won't start at all

Donie:Im a fellow Force owner so I'll try to get you started-theres an old saying"90% of all carb problems are in the ignition".It sounds to me you realize you need to check for spark;good bright spark on all 4(clean) plugs first-you can isolate troubles from there.As far as testing ignition system(electrics)if your manual is a shop type manual it should give some resistance readings(ohms) for ignition components.Your multimeter should contain an ohmmeter scale(something like 0-1000 or 0-2000) and a shop manual will give you instructions on ohming components.If you want to check fuel system,begin w/filter/screen-is it clean,pump primer bulb-does fuel flow freely(listen or maybe disconnect hose to carbs and pump to jar).Its easy to drop carb bowls and check if floats are working properly(sticking up or down=bad).There is a lot of basics to cover and many posts(w/all engine types)have info on this.I say stick with your plan and check spark-then proceed based on findings.Keep me/us posted as I would like to know how you fare.Good luck

 

[basszzilla]

Re: 1992 Force 120 won't start at all

compression-spark-gas. you have to have all three to get the engine to run. comp check first, then spark test(just grab a spark plug wire and have someone crank the engine you'll know soon enough if you have spark.) NOT REALLY. you can buy spark plug pliers at a parts store to hold the plug wire close enough to the plug to see if your getting spark. then check for the presence of fuel on the plugs by cranking a few seconds with choke on. if you have all the main ingredients it should at least fire a little bit. buy all means put some new plugs in. good luck

 

[donie]

Re: 1992 Force 120 won't start at all

Hi Guys<br /><br />Solved the problem. I was looking at this engine for a friend. Part of the problem was that there was too much oil in the petrol but the main reason they could not start the engine was that they did not know how to apply trottle to the engine while starting, they were trying to start the engine with just choke alone. They then adjusted the timing to compensate for the poor starting and this finished it completly.<br /><br />I re-adjusted the timing and burnt off the existing petrol so the good mix followed what was in the lines and it was a bit lumpy for a while until the excess oil was burnt away and after that it ran perfectly.<br /><br />Quick lesson on how to rev the engine without putting it in gear was the main solution though. <br /><br />Thanks for the replys and hope this information is of use to somebody.<br /><br />Donie

 

[91formula]

Re: 1992 Force 120 won't start at all

Donie, I also have the same engine, mine progressively got harder to start, after a long debate I decided to Decarb my engine, I've heard pros and cons about doing this, mine engine would start about 45 seconds to 1 minute. But it didn't start like new, so I finally decarbed my engine, boy what a difference, once I hit the key seems to start in 1-2 seconds, it starts like new, I would suggest this to you, it only took 20 minutes to do and boy she runs great once again,

 

[donie]

Re: 1992 Force 120 won't start at all

What is the procedure and where could I buy this stuff?<br /><br />Donie

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 1992 Force 120 won't start at all

do a search in this forum on "de-carb" or "decarb". Lots of info here.<br /><br />Sea Foam is available at Napa. OMC Engine Tune at OMC/Bomb, Merc has their own product too.<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!