86 Force 125 Water Issue - The Final Say?

[tfanciullo]

I have been reading all of the info on Force engines and the trouble people have with getting some type of indication that water is flowing through the engine when using either muffs or a tub. I have the same problem with the 86 Force 125 that I just purchased. <br /><br />I have read all the posts claiming that a sputter of water out of the top exhaust ports (2 holes below the power head in the motor leg) is the correct indicator. Then, I called my local marina to verify and they told me I was totally off. They said that I should have a stream at idle. I have removed the lower unit, checked the impeller, which is being replaced this weekend. The impeller looked okay (no disintegration or rot). I have used a hose to spray water up the cooling tube in the motor leg (water comes out the exhaust snout). I have sprayed water in the top exhaust port and water comes out the exhaust snout. I have not yet checked the thermostat.<br /><br />Here is my question: When I have replaced the impeller and thermostat, what is a good systematic way of determining whether or not I have the correct water flow? If the sputter is correct, can I add a p-tube (as suggested in some of the posts)? What can I do to make sure that there is no blockage in the system? My plan is to go to the marina this weekend, get my pump parts. Do the replacement at the dock and then put the whole thing in the water to check the engine. What should I see? Then when I get home, and the boat is trailered, how do I flush/run the engine so it is properly cooled?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 86 Force 125 Water Issue - The Final Say?

Welcome to iboats and may the Force be with you.<br /><br />I'm afraid the dealer you called led you astray. I don't think that motor has a telltale and I think that they think it does. You won't get much water out of those two holes on the back unless you're in water. You need exhaust backpressure to get that. On the muffs, as long as you have water coming out of the exhaust snout, then you're pumping. Muffs are things you connect to a garden hose to fit over the water pump intakes on the lower unit. That's waht you need to run it in the driveway. If you want (and it would be an extremely good idea), you can add a telltale to your motor.

 

[tfanciullo]

Re: 86 Force 125 Water Issue - The Final Say?

Thanks WillyB,<br /><br />I do want to add the tell-tale. I have read that I can add a fitting to a plug by the thermostat. Is this correct?<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 86 Force 125 Water Issue - The Final Say?

Originally posted by thefoce:<br /><br /> marina to verify and they told me I was totally off. They said that I should have a stream at idle. <br />Thanks!

You will have a small sputter at idle on muffs...most will come out the lower "fin" by the prop. In the water it will really shoot out the two holes, along with exhaust because the water causes pressure. With it running on the muffs, take a rag (be careful-hot+plus the prop) and cover the exhaust/water coming out the bottom, and watch how the 2 holes "light up" so to speak

 

[CaptDick]

Re: 86 Force 125 Water Issue - The Final Say?

Hi There. <br /><br /> I've owned a Force 85 HP, sold it, then bought a boat with a 125 HP Force engine. I couldn't judge how much water coming out of the holes in the back was enough. Here is what I do. <br /> Make sure that the "overheat alarm " works. This is horn that is under the dash (It is in Bayliners anyway) that activates when the engine overheats. There is a way to ground it out to see if the horn works. I think the wire is labeled on the engine itself. <br /> If there is any water at all coming out of those holes in the back, then your not hurting the impellor or the pump. If the alarm works and it's not going off...then you have the correct water flow. <br /> Don't forget what a thermostat does. It lets only a limited amount of water through the system until the engine warms up. When it gets to a certain temperature, it opens up and lets more water go through. So..when you first start it up, there may be little flow. <br />I hope this helps!

 

[pops521]

Re: 86 Force 125 Water Issue - The Final Say?

Hi There.<br /><br />I have had the same issues in the past, trying to figure when the water pump was working properly. I went and added a telltale of my own.<br />I have a 89 125 and at the top of the thermostat there was a 1/8" pipe plug. That is were I added my telltale. From there I drilled a hole in the lower housing and resealed the tube with RTV. <br /><br />Now when I start my motor and the temp gets hot enough to open the thermostat, that is when I know that I have flow. If I don't have flow in less than a minute, then I start looking for trouble<br /><br />Pops