97' tracker force 120 hp

[fuzzy140]

Engine runs great,but at about 4500rpm and up sounds like a very faint pecking noise ,thought it could be spark knock so changed plugs and ran some premium fuel.mix 50:1.First run down lake didnt here anything,fished about 1 hour moved and when I started to full throttle noise returned?? any ideas guys.

 

[stssa]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

what do you mean by pecking noise? Is it like a knock or tick?

 

[fuzzy140]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

tick,almost like a loud rattle

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

Please do not run anywhere near full throttle until you either remove and clean the carb(s), or set it richer. Premium fuel will not help prevent detonation due to lean running and is just a waste of money.

That pecking noise is most likely detonation. Pull the plugs and see if the piston crowns have melt damage. If you have throw-off aluminum on the plugs, it is a sure sign.

 

[fuzzy140]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

would the plugs be wet even in this situation?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

YES! Until it gets to the point where you either do critical damage to the pistons or have aluminum throw-off onto the plugs (which is due to melted aluminum from the piston heads)

Since detonation almost always occurs at or near full throttle, not low RPM and since you say the rattling is above 4500 RPM, it is better to be safe and check now. Since outboards are noisy, most people don't hear it until the engine slows down radically or stops running

 

[fuzzy140]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

thanks for the info. I will clean the carbs and again thanks.

 

[fuzzy140]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

ok cleaned the carbs installed new fuel line and filter,started up in water and it fired right up only problem is it is now idling at 1200 rpm and 1000 rpm when in gear.Didnt mess with any adjustment during disassembly or reassembly put linkages back as they where removed.I also lightly seated mixture screw and backed off one round before running and while running leaned and richened but no difference in idle except when richened of course. Any ideas of what I should do ?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

Near the bottom of the tiing tower there will be a screw and locknut on the aluminum lever. loosen the locknut and back out the screw about 1/8 turn at a time until the idle speed comes down to 700-750 in forward gear in the water.

In order to get the correct idle, after each 1/8 turn open the throttle and come back into neutral so the screw sets properly against the block.

 

[fuzzy140]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

ok im following the trouble trail , adjusted 1/8 turn twice and noticed only a small drop in idle,I didnt want to adjust any further. While trying to troubleshoot the first issue noticed engine running just a little rough a slight shake.so earlier when adjusting idle decided to pull plug wires for change in idle #'s 1,3,4 was a slightly noticable miss but with #2 the idle didnt change just to make sure,I switched plugs and pulled wires and same thing happend is the CDM MODULE my problem? Hate to buy one and it be something else like trigger or $tator.This has been my biggest help.

 

[fuzzy140]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

I guess I will buy a new module

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

I'm not familiar with the 97 Mercury ignition module(s) but before you buy another, do more diagnostic tests.

 

[RRitt]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

do you have a manual?

Frank's advice was exactly what my engine needed when it made a similar ticking noise. I followed manual exactly to remove, clean, reinstall, and adjust the carbs and the problem went away. Setting mixture was hard because I did not have a lot of practice with 2 strokes. It ended up back to exactly where it started. My idle would not set right until after I synchronized the linkage. I also took opportunity to clean fuel filter and install new fuel pump diaphram. After that it started and ran like new. Started on first time, idled better, and no more ticking at speed.

 

[stssa]

Re: 97' tracker force 120 hp

CDM modules are easy on 97 120's. Its like the newer automobiles. Remove the coil that goes to second cylinder and install a new one. CDM and coils are integrated in one piece. It should have a connector with 4 wires going into it.