Force 120 engine reliability

[Shadow91]

Mods I’m sorry if I keep posting in the incorrect areas.

Im looking at the possibility of buying a newer boat. Bayliner seems to have a plethora of used boats for good cost in my area. I keep seeing them with Force outboards and mostly the 120hp outboard. There is one with a newer (95) force 150hp.

Ive heard and been told to stay far far away from force engines. Basic bargain junk engines made by Chrysler is everything I keep getting told. I’ve also read the 125 was one of the worse but I know people typically go online when they have issues, not when everything is perfect. So I want real opinions and options of whether or not it’s worth even looking into.

Thank you all. This site has been very helpful.

 

[Shadow91]

Okay. So I’m heading out to look at a 1995 Capri with a 150 force. Looks like a nice engine and was owned by a older gentlemen with plenty of maintenance history. He hasn’t been out on it in 2 years however, due to the fact he is now 92 years old! Says it doesn’t want to start, it’ll sputter and die, but everything else works fine. Was always on the water, but on a boat lift. Boat is in showroom condition and I really would like to know if the 150 force is worth the risk of hopefully just needing some maintenance.

 

[SkiDad]

we have had 2 force 125 engines - they ran very well. It really depends on how they were maintained. there are several possible reasons why its running poorly - if you get it you want to do a least a compression test of all 5 cylinders.

 

[Jiggz]

In my opinion, compare to modern 4 cycle almost full electronic timing and ignition systems, yes the Force doesn't quite compare in all performance metrics. However, there is one metric I believe the force will heel over newer outboards, MAINTENANCE! In short, if you like doing your own maintenance, Force is about as easy at it gets. Downside, because of their age, parts seems to be hard to get by not to mention cost. But for me, with regular maintenance and knowing symptoms makes the Force really very easy to maintain including corrective maintenance. Of course, that is just me.

 

[Dmpaul89]

i have been around a few force motors and they are fine, its the parts availability that is the problem. i remember flipping open the hood on an 85hp Force for the first time it was shocking, it was a very simple and different engine compared to other brands. i dont know about the 125s but with any FORCE you basically just use it till it quits and your DONE so just pay accordingly.

 

[jerryjerry05]

I had forces since 1988 and they had the normal things go wrong.
All motors can suffer from bad ignition systems.
I would do as skidad suggested and do a compression test and a spark test.

The 150 wasn't made in 1995 so figure out the year??Post some pics of the trim and tilt and the transom clamps
and the lower unit.

The 150 when introduced was touted to have the best power to weight ratio of all the outboards when introduced.

ANY motor as long as you keep the maintenance up can last as long as you own it.
ANY motor or any part can fail at any given time.
I'd buy if the price is right.
But have a mechanic go over it.
Check the transom.

 

[Shadow91]

I went and looked at the boat yesterday and it ended up being a '88 with 150 off of a newer boat is all they could tell me. Lady was too afraid to even start the engine "cause its so loud" and the hull and interior was just trashed. Absolutely nothing like the pictures of the boat.

also the coast guard rating for the boat was max 125hp and had a 150. dont know the rules and regulations for that, but just way more then i felt comfortable getting into.

Tomorrow im looking at a 1992 Capri with a 120 force on it. Supposedly a good runner and has an entire binder of maintenance and hasnt been dewinterized or ran this year. Has receipts of it being gone over by a local marina and winterized back in Oct '17.

So any thing to look out for on a 120 would be helpful.

And as far as maintenance, i plan to do most of it myself. Automotive tech by trade so just figuring out the marine side and learning carbs haha.

 

[Lightwin 3]

Force engines are simple-no question.

Others have stated the usual foibles with parts, etc.

Also, Force engines tended to run a bit dirty so decarbonizing them should be on your maintenance list, if you buy it.

 

[roscoe]

If you aren't up to doing your own maintenance AND REPAIRS, forget it. Very few shops will touch them, and most have no idea how to diagnose them, they just play the "lets replace all the parts " game.

 

[kbh121956]

Shadow91, Force are a very simple engine too work on. The carbs are simple. The parts you can get but most of them are online ordering. I own several and enjoy them and as with any engine if it isn't maintained, it'll leave you stranded. Before buying, hear it run. If you can do a compression test on it do it but, some sellers frown about it. Make sure that the transom is solid and the floor isn't spongy in spots. You being an automotive tech, it'll be a piece of cake for you. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[BoostedTimmy]

Don't have a lot of experience on outboards specifically but I do all my own work on my cars and small engines. It took all of an hour of tinkering to understand the powerhead on my Force 85. It really is a dead simple engine and I've had no trouble getting good used parts. If you MUST have new parts then it could be expensive, especially if you're the type the troubleshoots things by replacing everything

 

[jerryjerry05]

If buying and the seller objects to you testing anything?
RUN!!

 

[Shadow91]

If buying and the seller objects to you testing anything?
RUN!!

Absolutely. And its shocking how many people have boats for sale that wont let you test anything out on them. I asked one guy that said his boat had been sitting for a year, if it had been winterized and all he wrote back was 'go f****** buy a new boat'

Its crazy how many people dont actually want to sell their boats..

Narrowed it down to two boats now, increased my budget and hopefully gonna go the mercruiser route. Thank you all