force 125 air filter?

[Andy3]

This is probably a stupid question, but really curious about something. The carbs on my 1988 Force 125 are pretty dirty on the outside. The butterfly valve looks pretty nasty too. There's a "cover" on the front of the carbs, but no filter. Why do these outboards not have an air filter, and is it a good idea to fashion one out of something?

 

[robert graham]

Re: force 125 air filter?

No, outboards don't have air filters because the air is presumed to be clean out on the lake/ river/ocean. Spray clean carb intakes with carb cleaner. The carb cover is mostly to prevent backfires through carbs and to stop any moisture from reaching carbs. If a motor were by chance operated in a dusty area, a foam air cleaner "might" be added to the air intake on the upper motor shroud, but I've never seen or heard of one. I'm confident that any air cleaner added would adversely effect performance. I wouldn't worry about this at all! Good Luck!

 

[foodfisher]

Re: force 125 air filter?

Only the carbs are dirty?

 

[Andy3]

Re: force 125 air filter?

Only the carbs are dirty?

It's all a little grimy under the shroud, but just concerned about the unfiltered carbs. I'm new to boating.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: force 125 air filter?

Since these are reed valve engines and since reeds are allowed to stand .010 open at rest, these engines tend to "spit back" a little fuel/oil mixture while running. The black plastic carb covers contain this spit back and help the carbs to re-swallow it. They keep the inside front of the hood from getting greasy---maybe. They were two different types: earlier model carb covers had a transvers plastic plate glued on the bottom lip, about 3/4 inch high to help collect and contain oil. In a cost-cutting move, later models did not have the plate.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: force 125 air filter?

The stuff Frank said is right.The inside of the cowl has foam.Remove it(if it hasn't already fell out)It will dirty up the inside of the motor.It can work it's way into the carb into the reeds and cause MAJOR damage.
Just using it will cause it to get dirty.Grease and oil/gas residue will collect anything in the air.
I've found the purple cleaner from Auto Zone works great on the motor.
It will clean most grease and gunk.After you clean it spray the movable parts with a silicone spray.Even WD-40 will help.

 

[Andy3]

Re: force 125 air filter?

The inside of the cowl has foam.Remove it(if it hasn't already fell out)It will dirty up the inside of the motor.It can work it's way into the carb into the reeds and cause MAJOR damage.

The foam is gone, but I can see where it was glued, and now that you said that, I think that's what all the grime is. There's not a whole lot, just looks like a generous sprinkling of it on everything that has an oily film.