A stick in the mud? Force 90 won't crank after going aground.

[FJH]

Greetings all. Let me tell you a little story;

I took the boat out Friday night, and let someone run her aground in soft mud. What's worse, he tried to crank her 3 times in the mud. WE pushed her out, and could not get her to crank. Based on previous issues, I figured the battery was not getting charged. I called SeaTow, and made it back to the dock.

I have since tried to crank her with a new battery and a new starter. The fly wheel spins stronger than ever with the new starter, but she won't start.

Other than a fried starter, I can't think of anything besides a sheared pin, so I went ahead and removed the 1+1/16" nut form the shaft on the flywheel, and put my head puller on the flywheel. I consulted the Clymer Manual first, and other that using a conventional head puller (3 arms plus the center rod type) I am doing everything to spec. The problem is it REALLY doesn't want to move. The shaft is threaded, and I hope I'm not doing anything wrong, but I wanted to consult with the experts before I get out the breaker bar.

Basically, I have two questions:

1.) Does the flywheel thread off, or just pull off?

2.) Is there anything I'm missing about a soft grounding in mud which would cause the engine not to crank in neutral after being flushed with water after getting home?

Thank you very much,

FJH

 

[foodfisher]

Re: A stick in the mud? Force 90 won't crank after going aground.

Flywheel will pop off. Lots of PB blaster and tension with carefully aimed whacks with a brass driver on the shaft. Don't know what you're saying when you say "won't crank". Starter won't turn engine? Won't fire when turned?

 

[roscoe]

Re: A stick in the mud? Force 90 won't crank after going aground.

Remove the nut, Torque the puller, get your propane torch, heat the center 3 inches of the flywheel, if it doesn't pop off in a minute, tap it with a 2x4.

 

[FJH]

Re: A stick in the mud? Force 90 won't crank after going aground.

Flywheel will pop off. Lots of PB blaster and tension with carefully aimed whacks with a brass driver on the shaft. Don't know what you're saying when you say "won't crank". Starter won't turn engine? Won't fire when turned?

The flywheel spins, but it won't fire.

Occasionally, one cylinder may fire just due to compression, but that's it.

I'll work on the flywheel more this morning.

 

[FJH]

Re: A stick in the mud? Force 90 won't crank after going aground.

I pulled the flywheel off and the key was intact.

She still won't start. The flywheel turns like crazy with the new starter, but she won't kick over. After a few cranks choked, she seems like she wants to start, but never does. ( I release the choke after she seems to want to start.)

Any advice?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: A stick in the mud? Force 90 won't crank after going aground.

Try this. Tilt it all the way up.Pump the ball and turn on the key,choke it and try to start.Be ready to shut it off real fast.
Sometimes the motor gets hot and the floats/needles stick.Tilting it up can loosen them.J