Force Outboard Forum
This is the best Force Outboard Forum on the internet, it's yours! If you own a Force Outboard. Are you looking for good advice about your Force outboard engine problems and issues. All you need to know about your outboard engine issues and good advice from your fellow boaters.
From outboard engine and electrical and electronics systems to engine and alarm issues, tilt and trim issues, this is the place to find information.
Force Outboard Motor Problems
So many queries and questions from frustrated Force outboard owners. Many are looking for a Force outboard forum to solve Force outboard motor problems that include 50 hp Force outboard motor problems and 85 hp Force outboard problem.
Force Outboard Forum
So where do you start? There is a lot to know. I get asked regularly about what is the problem, and more importantly and how to fix a problem. I am a boat owner and that’s why I have published a dozen books to tell you all that you need to know about how to take care of your boats and systems.
My name is JOHN C PAYNE, and many of you may already have one of my books on marine electrical and electronics systems (The recently published Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible now in it’s 4th Edition) or perhaps one of the many other books on sailboats and yacht systems.
The Force Outboard Technical Forum for Answers to Questions
I am not an armchair expert, but a qualified and practising marine electrician and engineer and a marine surveyor. I do this for a living. Let this website help you with the boat forum! Thousands of people input with answers to problems.
What is your outboard problem? If you know what the problem is then you are halfway towards finding the right solution. Why not choose from one of my many books to help you fix your problems. Here are some hot topics for the boat-forum:
Battery Charging How to keep the power on and solve battery charging problems
Starting Issues - why wont it start?
Trim Tabs - and issues with same
This is just a fraction of the 3000 plus questions that were posted, and it is hoped that this NEW Force Outboard forum and bulletin board does the same.
The Forum is also a great place to look for spare parts that are hard to find, share your problems and experience with others, ask questions, share stories and more about my books and related topics and a lot more. Create your own web page every time you submit an article and include great low resolution images as well.
How to Post Questions to this Force Outboard Forum
Forum Editors Forum Rules! Yes there are a few basics when posting!
1. DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPITALS or in BOLD as it will not be posted. Don't use any HTML code as it will be deleted
2. Don't use bad language or profanity as it will not be posted.
3. To post to the Outboard Forum please at least use a first name and location with your email address in the notification page, so you will get a message when someone leaves a comment.
4. You need to insert a couple of sentences describing you problem and add an image if possible as it helps others. If you insert just a couple of words using SMS testing speak the system will reject it. If you simply say will mot start or some other short sentence it will not be posted.
5. Don't Spam the site with multiple submissions.
6. We receive dozens of posts a day and it is quite impossible to reply to more than just a few given this is a free site and I don't have enough time given I have a day job.
7. It helps if you start the headline with your Force outboard engine make/model number or boat make/model number. Save the problem description to the text, more detail means better answers.
8. Got a different outboard engine? then don't use this forum select your engine specific forum and post it there.
Do You Have Force Outboard Engine Problems?
Do you have Force engine problems? Share it on the Force Outboard Forum! Whether you are looking advice on an outboard motor or a difficult marine electrical or electronics technical problem then post your story or message here! UPLOAD AN IMAGE OF YOUR PROBLEM EQUIPMENT! Give us a detailed description, short 5 word posts are not much use and will not be posted. Put your boat info, outboard make and model or basic detail in the post title. Useful outboard boat motors information. More great information at fishing and boats.
Have a Force outboard problem to share?
Force Outboard engine problems and issues? need someone to try and help resolve them? Then use this forum and maybe someone can help.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Force 40hp 1993 
Engine was running fine then 1/4 inch fuel line got pin hole in it going into carb, boat barley made it to dock, replaced fuel hose with 3/8 fuel hose …
Force 125 1989
I bought this Bayliner and force for dirt cheap, the motor is giving me some issues and nobody seems to be able to figure it out. I had all new fuel lines, …
1996 Force 40hp
Are any parts on a 40hp Force outboard interchangeable with a 1992 Force 70hp outboard?
1998 Force by Mercury 40hp outboard
Hi, it is currently the summer of 2021. I bought a pontoon with a 1998 Force 40hp on it. It ran great at first, then dies after a few minutes. Floods out …
Mercury force 85hp 1988
I did a compression test on the motor and got 90, 92, and 90 on the cylinders. Does that sound like a good compression? Also I have trouble with cooling …
Force, 1501X91D,1991
I am trying to learn what the best 2 stroke oil would be to use in this 30year old boat/motor. I have good compression and it might need a little tlc …
Force, 1251x7b, 2168 s#
was running great all yr, but last two time at idle was good but when you go full throttle it was sluggish and wouldn't over 2600 rpm, ash the motor was …
1988 Force 85hp
I started to replace the water pump impeller but when I removed the lower unit I found the driveshaft spline seal and retainer were missing probaably …
Force 40hp elpt 1996
I set about replacing the impeller in my trusty Force 40hp OB. However, whilst removing the lower leg, I had some difficulty separating the shift rod and …
89 force 125 outboard motor
I have a 89 bayliner capri with a 125hp outboard motor and I just replaced the entire overhead because the motor was bad now I'm a first time boat owner …
Force 0E033322 1994 Not rated yet
Recently bout this boat was told the tilt trim was rebuilt, looks like a new motor but the tilt cylinder is leaking around the ram. Can anyone provide …
Force 70 1995 Not rated yet
Lower compression on “top” cylinder - 90 compared to 110 on lower two cylinders. Where do I start and what would be the likely cause? Starts fine, runs, …
Force L-Drive 85hp 1989 Not rated yet
I had the engine running without the shifter connected to the gearbox. I connected it and now I can't get it to start or anything. I am sure there is a …
50HorseForse 1988 Not rated yet
I have 1988 Force 50 Horse outboard. It runs good at ideal, low, and mid throttle, as you increase throttle it just starts to bog down. Changed, coils, …
Force 75 HP 1998 Not rated yet
water cooling issue.Insufficient water being pumped thru the engine. Rebuilt water pump and tested thermostat, so no issues there. Best guess is a break …
1991 Force 90 HP Not rated yet
I've had this boat for about 10 years now and the above motor has always been a bit finicky to start. It only wants to start when it is trimmed up/tilted …
88 force 125 Not rated yet
need top mount controls for this motor. i bought a universal control and the distance the caes move and the distance the motor needs does not match up. …
Mercury Force 1997 90 Hp Not rated yet
running on #3 (if thats the bottom one) only but getting good spark on 1 and 2. Have changed out 2 coils, rectifier, trigger and plugs. baffled.
1987 force 50 Not rated yet
I cannot get water to exit the tell tale I have replaced the impeller and changed the thermostat. when I remove the lwr unit and take a hose to the intake …
75hp force 1998 Not rated yet
Cylinder number 2 is fouling out my plug with excess fuel and after doing compression check it was 125 PSI can't figure out why the plug is fouling out …
1993 mercury force 120 unknown model Not rated yet
I am new to the force engine and I broke the unit that the red wires from the trim relays connect to. need to know what the unit is to be able to order …
1991 Force 70 Horsepower Not rated yet
I am just wondering if I troll with my Force 70HP motor is it hard on it or damage it in any way? Is it ok to troll with it at low speeds for a few hours …
1991 Force 70 Horsepower Not rated yet
I am just wondering if I troll with my Force 70HP motor is it hard on it or damage it in any way? Is it ok to troll with it at low speeds for a few hours …
1988 force 125 Not rated yet
Off idle shake. Like a misfire. Motor idles fine in gear. Go to throttle up. And starts shaking till about mid throttle then smooths back out and runs …
1988 force 125 Not rated yet
Off idle shake. Like a misfire. Motor idles fine in gear. Go to throttle up. And starts shaking till about mid throttle then smooths back out and runs …
Force 85 1987 prop spin idle & throttle link fix Not rated yet
Are the props supposed to spin in idle. I recently changed the impeller on a force 85 i recently purchased for a steal with trailer .
I tested and ran …
1998 Mercury Force 120 hp Not rated yet
When turning the key on there is no power to motor, trim or fish finders…power to trolling motor is fine. I tested the voltage with a meter and starting …
80s 70 horse force Not rated yet
Yesterday I had some problems with the starter spinning out at the first sign of ignition but finally was able to keep at it to start the motor and ran …
80s 70 hours force Not rated yet
Yesterday I had some problems with the starter spinning out at the first sign of ignition but finally was able to keep at it to start the motor and ran …
1988 Bayliner Capri with a force 125 hp Not rated yet
I had the motor checked out and the mechanic said it would in good shape and started right up, I started the motor and pulled the killswitch to test it …
Force 120 1997 Not rated yet
My problem is with the tilt/ trim unit. I recently got a boat off of craigslist and it was free so I accept the challenge. I knew it had issues. I was …
85hp force 856A8B Not rated yet
Number two has no compression at all. Complete motor with steering wheel cables and starting and power controls on home made rolling stand. Need to myself …
1988 Force 85 HP Not rated yet
Basket case. It dropped #3 cyl and it has been messed with a lot. Wires been cut and spliced. I have a wiring diagram but can't seem to get my head wrapped …
1988 force 125 Not rated yet
I've been told it has a shifting issue. It's starts idles fine but when put in gear its no good. Says hard to get in gear some times. Pops out of gear. …
1988 force 85hp Trailering bracket Not rated yet
I'm Looking for that can send me or post a picture of the trailering bracket with dimensions so I can make one? I lost mine and I can't find any here in …
force 50 hp 1991 Not rated yet
this is a two stroke 2cyl 1 carb starts good but at idle goes into high rev. reed valves good, carb cleaned and needle valve and gasket set, fuel mix …
FORCE 85HP 1987 Not rated yet
Starts right up,idles fine,ran on the lake over an hour,on way to dock idled down,and it stalled,now won't start
1988 mercury force 85 hp Not rated yet
in the middle of running it at full throttle it would die and start right back up but now this last time it wont start back up it just cranks and it has …
US Marine Force 1258V6A 1986 Not rated yet
Purchased used 1986 VIP Bass Boat with Force 125 outboard. She started right up one and ran her in neutral for a few minutes. Moved throttle FWD and …
Force 50 horse outboard on 16' maxim boat Not rated yet
Hadnt ran for 2 summers. Got motor running fine. Goes in reverse fine, but can't get it to go in forward. Only comes out of reverse when shifter gets to …
force 1994, 150hp Not rated yet
I took lower unit off replaceed, reinstalled lower unit now i can't get it in neutral. can anyone help.
120 HP Force 1992 Not rated yet
Motor runs great but will not idle with the cowling on. At idle when I take the cowling off it’s full of exhaust fumes. I pulled the power head and replaced …
1988 Force 85hp Not rated yet
The original trim/tilt motor was a two wire unit. The replacement 2 wire unit does not work. I have an old 3 wire unit that works if I hook uo the ground …
1988 Force 85hp Not rated yet
The original trim/tilt motor was a two wire unit. The replacement 2 wire unit does not work. I have an old 3 wire unit that works if I hook uo the ground …
Force, 90 HP, 1991, 908P91C Not rated yet
After installing a water pump kit, and beginning to reinstall the lower unit I noticed the middle shift are was loose and could be pulled up out of it's …
Force 120ELPT from 1999 Not rated yet
No telltale water on initial start up of cold engine. There is a thermostat, so is this normal?
87 bayliner 125 hp force motor Not rated yet
What goes along with changing the drive shaft berring in the lower unit, is there seals, O rings ext, that I have to replace. Thanks for any info.
force 9.9 ,HOO92O1SM,1996 Not rated yet
I have looked all over the internet for how to drop the lower unit to get to the water pump to replace the impeller. I cannot find out how to get the shift …
1988 125 force outboard Not rated yet
First let me say thanks for any help...I have a 1988 force 125 hp. I have no top end at all. The boat runs good about 7-9 miles per hr. Full throttle goes …
125 HP Force l Drive 1990 Not rated yet
Will not start: compression is 135,140,140,150: Have new plugs in and i have spark on all 4 cylinders seem to be getting fuel, will some times backfire …
50 hp force ? 1987 Not rated yet
Help! Can anyone ID this model? No tag on the outboard bracket. Ignition coil/ module set up is unlike anything I have seen. Two coils are different. Searched …
1995 Force 120 HP Outboard Not rated yet
The Voltage Regulator (Part # 815279 4) started smoking when motor was running good. I shut the engine off once I saw the smoke. Pulled the cover & saw …
force 1988 mdl 507f8c Not rated yet
engine fires on #1 cylinder, but won't run on it. compression is 140psi, but only 115 on #2. #2 cylinder runs fine. checked fuel pump, reed valves. exhaust …
Force 125 1050 1986 Not rated yet
I can't find my serial number or model number on line to order parts. I have tried several different websites and they are all at a loss as to why my serial …
87 bayliner curry 87 force 125 Not rated yet
Had the boat out yesteday was headed back in and the motorjust died. Been running rough cutting out spiting and sputtering any ideal what it might be
Force 85 HP Model: 856X7A 1987 Not rated yet
Alarm sounds whenever try to start the motor. The battery shows 12.4 volts. At first it would idle when the engine flush earmuffs were attached but no …
Force 75, 1998 Not rated yet
How do I remove the control cables? There is a square rubber bushing where all the hoses and control cables come through, but it is far too crowded to …
Force, 856F7B, 1987 Not rated yet
Force, 856F7B, 1987
idles in neutral OK, but with a slight exhaust backfire
and when in gear trying to accelerate motor bogs down/stalls.
Motor will …
1987 force 50 507f7c Not rated yet
I bought this Jon boat that had been sitting for approximately 2-3 years. When I got it home we cleaned it out and changed the spark plugs and gas/oil …
1989 85hp Force outboard Not rated yet
Seems to be overheating even after checking the water tract (lower half, and exhaust manifold), impeller, and changing the thermo. It also seems to kill …
1988 125 hp Force Not rated yet
replacing bothe CD modules. bought used from a reparable supplier who says they were tested before they left his shop. I have specified dva voltage out …
Force, 856F7B, 1987 Not rated yet
1987 Force, 85 HP, model # 856F7B
Just bought the boat, motor will start right away, it will idle
idles in neutral OK, but with a slight exhaust backfire, …
Force 120hp 1994 serial number 0E050181 Not rated yet
I can not get my tilt or trim pump to raise or lower the outboard.
I originally had a problem with just adjusting the trim. I noticed a screw missing …
Force Model 507Y7C 1987 Not rated yet
When removing lower unit to replace water pump impeller, a brass collar/retainer came out of power head stuck on drive shaft. I have removed collar and …
Force 120 outboard 1996 Not rated yet
The plastic covers in front of the carburetors are full of fuel. Engine fires up and runs for 10 seconds ish and dies. When I give it throttle in neutral …
force 50 ELPT model H-050412p 1994 Not rated yet
trim wires on tilt and trim got chwed on by mice shorted out while fishing tilt quit fixed wires now boat motor wont start or run just hearing faint …
85hp force model 4496 1988 Not rated yet
I redid the motor new gaskets through out new water thermostat new rings on crank to new rings honed cylinder walls lower unit spins freely. I have to …
120hp 1996 Force Not rated yet
Motor run on 2 cylinders top 2 will not fire up. great compression,strong suction,put new reed valves, new plugs, got strong sparks, carb cleaned, sprayed …
1990 Force 50hp Not rated yet
I recently bought a 1990 Spectrum boat with a 50hp Force motor. I could not get the motor to roll over or any of the electronics to work. I replaced the …
Force 40HP 1995 Not rated yet
There is a very slight wiggle on my new propeller is this a problem and how can I fix it to not have the wiggle.?
1998 Force 120 hp Not rated yet
I changed the prop shaft seals in the lower unit, of my 1998 force 120hp and during re assembly I am unable to get the carrier bearing to seat all the …
1990 FORCE 120 OUTBOARD Not rated yet
I was looking for information on parts interchangability. My force 120 has a type B lower, I wanted to know if Type C, or D would interchange. I was also …
1988 force 125 engine cooling Not rated yet
Hello. We put in new water pump...torn engine apart to check for water blockage..water doesn't seem to go through water passages from foot to engine..new …
120 Force motor starting issues Not rated yet
I have a 120 force motor that won't start reliably. It was purchased in 1996, but I have taken good care of it. I put 2 different starters in it and it …
1984 Force 85 hp outboard no spark Not rated yet
1984 Force 85 hp outboard turns over however, there is no spark. Replaced the stator, but that didn't change anything. Does this model have a kill switch? …
50 hp force Not rated yet
I just got a 13ft bayliner with the 50 hp force motor gave to me . It’s a 1985 it sat for almost 2 years but was running well when put up . Now I tried …
90 hp Force overheating problems Not rated yet
I have a 90 hp force motor with over heating problems , changed water pump and Idled ok for about 20 minutes shut it off started motor back up and overheating …
No power 90 hp Force Not rated yet
I recently bought a 96 sun tracker party barge with a 90 hp force. Installed new battery and when I attempt to crank I show 12 volts but when I attempt …
75hp Force starter Not rated yet
75hp 1999 outboard Force
Got my boat out of storage for the first time and hooked 2 new batteries up. Went to start it and the starter just spins. Will …
1987 Bayliner Capri with 85hp. Force outboard. Not rated yet
I have an 87 Bayliner Capri cuddy cabin with an 85hp Force motor. Maximum speed is about 24mph. Is that the best I can expect. It seems to have a large …
120 force outboard Not rated yet
I have a 1999 force outboard motor and it doesnt want to start when cold.
I usually have to give it some trottle don't wont start with choke. I actually …
Force 1987 125 HP Not rated yet
I got an 1987 125 hp Force and the other day I was out fishing and I noticed oil slick in the back of my boat. Well I got it out of the water and put the …