So, I've got a '92 Bayliner Capri with a Force 70 Outboard, that will no longer start, any suggestions?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:19:48 -0400

Back ground; replaced the lower unit gaskets, impeller, and the gear oil, after a colleague suggested that my engine may have overheated when it would not start on me while out in the middle of the lake and then just miraculously started an hour-and-a-half later after I had one-oared it to the nearest shoreline. The impeller was in generally good shape as were the gaskets, but the gear oil was milky. However this did not solve the problem. One of three spark plugs is brown while one is black, but I have cleaned them regularly. Is it possible I just need to change these out again or something worse like the cylinder?

Response by SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II made Sep 30 at 2015 4:12 PM

SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:12:26 -0400

Check the points, wiring and carburetor.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 30 at 2015 6:18 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 18:18:46 -0400

Here is some info on spark plugs. {my personal preference is NGK or Bosch over any other brand}
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/p2.asp

http://www.ngk.com.au/spark-plugs/technical-information/spark-plug-analysis

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 30 at 2015 6:19 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 18:19:40 -0400

Here are some pics I forgot to attach.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 7:02 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:02:09 -0400

Can't offer any mechanical advice on this one but my parents had a Bayliner in the 90's. They got rid of the Force outboard for a Mercury outboard after having to repair it almost yearly despite doing the prescribed preventative maintenance. The Mercury lasted the rest of the time they owned it. I didn't even think you could still get Force parts.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 30 at 2015 8:39 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:39:56 -0400

It might just be the spark plug but it sounds like you have water in you oil. My advice is sneak out while this misses isn't paying attention and buy a new motor and when she says something about it tell hurt you talk it over with her and she told you it was ok to buy a new on and call it your Christmas present.

Response by MSG William Wold made Oct 1 at 2015 1:08 AM

MSG William Wold — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 01:08:53 -0400

Force outboards were pieced together remnants of the bankrupt Chrysler Corporation outboards. Some were good, some were bad. Milky in the lower unit means a shaft seal is probably bad and has nothing to do with the other end which is the power head. Granted, in the lower unit above the gear box is a water pump that provides cooling water to the power head, and it pumps the water your boat is sitting in. Most generally outboards when running have this little tattletail tiny stream of water coming out somewhere near the lower part of the upper housing that indicates the water pump is pumping. Sometimes those also get clogged but still the pump is putting out just fine, but I would be unplugging it just in case. Tiny bugs like those dark holes in the off season.
Good insurance is to change out that impeller every two-3 or so years as they do get hard and brittle, and sometimes worn when running in merky water and shallow waters picking up sand causing abrasiveness. NEVER run the outboard unless there is water at the impeller, you will burn that out so fast.
These are a two stroke engines mix oil at 50:1 in your gas, or has oil injection; hopefully your using non ethanol gas. Ethanol will eat your rubber gaskets, gas lines and make them swell up internally sometimes to the point of them swelling shut.
You stated that the water pump looked ok, so maybe one or more of the ignition coils is starting to break down when it gets warm, but functions off and on when cool. Moisture on the plug could be an indicator of a head gasket leaking or an internal water jacket gasket letting some seeping in.
If the engine has overheated, that can cause scoring on the cylinder walls, the rings can loose their springiness and loose compression. New outboards cost more than my first new car. They've gotten so expensive that some states started treating them as real property and put titles on them.
I worked on them for 30+ years, but like a person working for Boeing, I don't know of one that has their own plane in their back yard. I went to I/O a long time ago and use a small kicker for fishing, that I never do anymore..

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made Oct 1 at 2015 7:58 AM

SFC Douglas Duckett — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 07:58:47 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member If the wife would kick you out to the backyard with the dog for buying only a new motor, you might as well go all the way and do it right. Buy a new Boat, Motor, and Trailer, then at least it would be worth the flea bites.

Response by SFC Kenneth Highland made Oct 1 at 2015 1:44 PM

SFC Kenneth Highland — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:44:21 -0400

POWER PACKS IE COIL PACKS ARE FAMOUS FOR JOHNSON/FORCE ENGINES, ALSO THERE IS A FUSE FOR THE STARTER.

Response by LTC Marc King made Oct 2 at 2015 5:58 PM

LTC Marc King — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 17:58:40 -0400

Buy a new engine and enjoy boating. It's about being on the water not in the shop!

Response by Sgt Michael Johnson made Oct 3 at 2015 12:20 PM

Sgt Michael Johnson — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:20:05 -0400

Been fishing for 50 years, over 10 years commercial. Force (Chrysler) engines are garbage. Try to get the best trade you can. Your motor is just disappointment after disappointment waiting to happen.