Force 125 88’ won’t run

[Oillywater]

Hey guys I’m new to all this, even owning a boat. And I just picked up a bay liner capri with a 125 force 88’ and I couldn’t get the motor to run just crank I disconnected the magneto like and the motor started puttering. Then it kicked on for a bit shut it down then tried again and it ran for about 5-10 seconds and it made a big pop and shut down and I noticed it also shot out a lot of oil into the bucket of water I had it in. from the exhaust I think. And now I can’t get it to even putter. What should I do. What does the oil in the water mean? Please help.

 

[Oillywater]

Sounds like it’s not getting gas cuz before when I’d shut it off I’d have some gas drip out the carbs or even when trying to start. Now nothing.
Edit- I started it with some starter fluid and it only stays on for a moment and some times backfires. Could it be carbs?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Don't make it backfire!!! This can cause way more problems than you can imagine.
FIRST: do a compression and spark test, post the results??
How is the fuel system set up? Portable tank? built in tank? How did you mix the gas/oil?
Pull the plugs and compare them then post a pic of them in order #1 top to #4 on bottom.
Second: clean the carbs, post the condition??
Do these things and post the results.

 

[Oillywater]

Don't make it backfire!!! This can cause way more problems than you can imagine.
FIRST: do a compression and spark test, post the results??
How is the fuel system set up? Portable tank? built in tank? How did you mix the gas/oil?
Pull the plugs and compare them then post a pic of them in order #1 top to #4 on bottom.
Second: clean the carbs, post the condition??
Do these things and post the results.

Right now I have it set up to a portable can of gas 2.5 gallon and I have the mix a 50:1. The plugs are new but the old ones did have some black stuff on them I pulled the carbs to clean them everything was pretty clean besides the gas being old so I sprayed carb cleaner all over it and thru the ports. I have spark. But I haven’t done a compression test yet

 

[Oillywater]

Don't make it backfire!!! This can cause way more problems than you can imagine.
FIRST: do a compression and spark test, post the results??
How is the fuel system set up? Portable tank? built in tank? How did you mix the gas/oil?
Pull the plugs and compare them then post a pic of them in order #1 top to #4 on bottom.
Second: clean the carbs, post the condition??
Do these things and post the results.

Here’s the sparks sorry I don’t remember what order they were in since I changed them yesterday also don’t remember if I tried cleaning them haha

 

[Oillywater]

This is top carb second one looks identical condition wise and just don’t have pics of second one

 

[jerryjerry05]

GASKET, FUEL PUMP F438760 DIAPHRAGM, FUEL PUMP F438747 change them. GASKET, TRANSFER COVER F40223 This gasket could be the problem. 4 of them. Cheaper on Ebay "27-820500A3 Transfer Port Cover Gasket Kit Mercury Force 40-50HP Outboards" ​

 

[Oillywater]

GASKET, FUEL PUMP F438760 DIAPHRAGM, FUEL PUMP F438747 change them. GASKET, TRANSFER COVER F40223 This gasket could be the problem. 4 of them. Cheaper on Ebay "27-820500A3 Transfer Port Cover Gasket Kit Mercury Force 40-50HP Outboards" ​

Thanks I just ordered them. Thanks for your help I’ll let you know how it goes when it gets here. Also don’t know much about 2 strokes but it has engine oil right? Cuz I can only find the dif fill and drain ports

 

[topgun3690]

A 2-stroke doesn't have engine oil like a 4-stroke. The lubricating oil is mixed in the gas at 50:1 ratio. So there is no engine oil drain or filter on a 2-stroke. Have you run it without adding oil to the gas?

 

[Oillywater]

A 2-stroke doesn't have engine oil like a 4-stroke. The lubricating oil is mixed in the gas at 50:1 ratio. So there is no engine oil drain or filter on a 2-stroke. Have you run it without adding oil to the gas?

I added oil to gas but that’s about all I know for 2 strokes I just wanted to make sure so I could change it. My first 2 stroke. And first boat so big learning curve but I know my cars.

 

[topgun3690]

Good.....so don't worry about changing the oil. Lol Btw....that first pic of the oily water.....kinda normal for an old 2-stroke.

 

[Oillywater]

Good.....so don't worry about changing the oil. Lol Btw....that first pic of the oily water.....kinda normal for an old 2-stroke.

Nice ok thanks. Now to figure out why it doesn’t wanna stay on haha.

Don't make it backfire!!! This can cause way more problems than you can imagine.
FIRST: do a compression and spark test, post the results??
How is the fuel system set up? Portable tank? built in tank? How did you mix the gas/oil?
Pull the plugs and compare them then post a pic of them in order #1 top to #4 on bottom.
Second: clean the carbs, post the condition??
Do these things and post the results.

For compression
#1-150psi
#2-145psi
#3-145psi
#4-145psi

 

[topgun3690]

Nice ok thanks. Now to figure out why it doesn’t wanna stay on haha.

For compression
#1-150psi
#2-145psi
#3-145psi
#4-145psi

Good compression.....do the spark test next like jerry said. The water in your bucket in that first pic was extra oily because the engine would not start, and the unburned fuel and oil had to go somewhere....if it was running a lot of it would have burned off and become smoke....

 

[Oillywater]

Good compression.....do the spark test next like jerry said. The water in your bucket in that first pic was extra oily because the engine would not start, and the unburned fuel and oil had to go somewhere....if it was running a lot of it would have burned off and become smoke....

How do I do a spark test? I have a spark plug tester that I can see lights up when I crank it

 

[Oillywater]

I also noticed this gasket broken don’t know what it’s for

 

[jerryjerry05]

How do I do a spark test? I have a spark plug tester that I can see lights up when I crank it

If it lights up on each plug?? then you have spark.
That broken gasket: I wouldn't worry about it right now, it's probably not all the way through and just the corner.
The part: called a Dog Bone. It's part of the fuel recirculation system.
Take it apart, it has reed valves and screens to catch the small bits of carbon , yours is probably clogged by now??
Maybe change the gasket in the future. You can find the screens in any store that sells smoking accessories.

 

[Oillywater]

If it lights up on each plug?? then you have spark.
That broken gasket: I wouldn't worry about it right now, it's probably not all the way through and just the corner.
The part: called a Dog Bone. It's part of the fuel recirculation system.
Take it apart, it has reed valves and screens to catch the small bits of carbon , yours is probably clogged by now??
Maybe change the gasket in the future. You can find the screens in any store that sells smoking accessories.

Ok I’ll prob wait to open it up unless I need to for it to run cuz I don’t have the gasket and I have a feeling if i open it it will not be good anymore

 

[Oillywater]

If it lights up on each plug?? then you have spark.
That broken gasket: I wouldn't worry about it right now, it's probably not all the way through and just the corner.
The part: called a Dog Bone. It's part of the fuel recirculation system.
Take it apart, it has reed valves and screens to catch the small bits of carbon , yours is probably clogged by now??
Maybe change the gasket in the future. You can find the screens in any store that sells smoking accessories.

Could I use gasket maker like rtv for stuff like that. Also I’m changing the water pump and when I was removing the 6 bolts they had a lot of silicone on it could I just use Anti seize or does it have to be silicone. Also noticed at the splines where it goes into the engine there’s some gunk on them looks similar to the soot in the water should I be worried about this. Or could it be the gas that was leaking from my carb and down to the lower unit?

 

[topgun3690]

If you plan on keeping and using this motor it would be a good idea to get a factory service manual.....several listed on ebay......worth the money and will answer most of the questions you are asking. This site also has a search function.....use it to search for info you are looking for.....you can read how others solved a similar problem....most questions have been answered already many times before......

 

[Oillywater]

If you plan on keeping and using this motor it would be a good idea to get a factory service manual.....several listed on ebay......worth the money and will answer most of the questions you are asking. This site also has a search function.....use it to search for info you are looking for.....you can read how others solved a similar problem....most questions have been answered already many times before......

I have the factory manual for the motor but says nothing about removing lower unit but I’ll just search it up thanks