Force 125 starting problem

[jbakerII]

I've an '88 Force 125 (2 cycle) outboard on a Bayliner Capri.

Yesterday morning, after sitting unused for several months, it started; yesterday afternoon it wouldn't.

Batteries are charged, one is new. New plugs and they are getting spark. (Put the old plugs back in - same result.) New fuel, filter is clear and fuel is getting to the carbs. Compression appears fine (hard to hand crank the fly-wheel becaruse of it.) Starter engages but weakly, and usually will barely turn the fly-wheel or not turn it at all. (Unless the plugs are removed.) Tried starting with a jump from my car - same result.

Bad starter or something else?

Any help will be appreciated. My daughter was planning on starting a ski vacation today - tough to do without the boat!

--jbII

 

[MikDee]

Re: Force 125 starting problem

These 2cycle motors flood easily, use the choke when cold, or first start of the day, until it kicks, coughs, or sputters, then release the choke and it should start fine,,, no more choking for the day after that, usually. If you still have a problem later in the day, and it still cranks quite a bit without starting, use the choke sparingly, as a last resort.

 

[jbakerII]

Re: Force 125 starting problem

Tried starting with the choke but still won't start. The engine just doesn't crank fast enough to start. Starter engages but won't spin the flywheel. Batteries don't seem to be the problem. Bad starter or ... ?

 

[baxtr]

Re: Force 125 starting problem

Check that all power/ground connections are tight and not corroded, brushes bad?

 

[jbakerII]

Re: Force 125 starting problem

Everything seems tight, uncorroded. Plugs are getting spark. Starter cranks but just won't spin the flywheel, even with a battery lead directly to the starter. Bad starter? How can one test that? (Other than spending ~$250 to replace the starter and see if that fixes things?)

I also tested the kill switch and I get current across the two terminals whether the 'kill' is on (button up) or off (button depressed).

--jbII