stuartsx5

So, I have been piddling around with this tonight. Pulled the plugs, seemed like all were grimey except one. Pulled the carb covers off. I don't know much but I assume the top carb (see pics) has the choke plate but not the bottom one? So, in the side picture it shows nothing attached to that choke plate so when I choke it I can hear a click but nothing happens. I know this has nothing to do with my problems but is that wrong or does it choke some other way than that choke plate?

Thanks Wrench. Sounds like I have a full weekend of testing to do. Maybe momma needs a new boat for Mother's Day......😊

He did mention the fuel pump but he thought it was ok. I wouldn't know about the link and sync because I know absolutely nothing about carbs on outboards or any other engines. I can check the butterflies (I assume those are the flaps inside the intake part of the carb). I may do that tonight. I'm not going to put too much effort into it before I go see Wrench cause I can probably tear up more than I fix with my limited knowledge. I have been very fortunate over the years and have bought old boats that just run forever. This is the first time I have had to even consider a mechanic. Thanks for your input, I will keep you all updated on my escapades.

Thanks Wrench. If I am going to start replacing parts I assume I would be best to start with the plugs because I replaced them last fall and I did use the NKG plugs right before the trip that started my problems. Could that be the problem or a small part of the bigger problem. Since there is no bench test for the coils do you use a resistance test with an ohm meter? That is something I can do if I know what terminals and what the readings should be. I may look into those two issues and the voltage regulator and if I can't figure it out or that doesn't fix it I will set up an appointment for you to take a look at it. Thanks Again.

I have had my outboard worked (1996 Force 120) on and I am still not where I need to be. To start it was running fine, 5000 WOT at about 40 MPH and it just dropped to 4200 and 35. Took it to a mechanic, said coils bad, replaced with used ones he had. Said fuel line deteriorated, plugged the carbs, so the carbs were cleaned. Got it back and would do about 4600 and about 38 MPH. Thought it may be the instruments but didn't seem exactly right. Three weeks ago, running down the lake and dropped rpm and mph just like last fall. Low end rpm so bad I couldn't even load it on the trailer. Took it to the mechanic he adjusted carbs so the low end is better but hole shot and top end speed and RPM still not where they should be. So, this is my question. Should I be looking at ignition first or fuel? Is there anywhere I can have the coils load tested? I hate to replace without testing because I think that is what has been done. I am at the end of my rope with this and it is about time to start pulling skiers also and it wouldn't do that very well in the shape it is in. HELP......... Fishnwrench, are you accepting new patients????????

I've never really fished Stockton. When you are chasing the whites this time of year what jigs do you use? I'm trying to learn new stuff and I usually only fish for whites on Lake of the Ozarks in the fall with 1/16 oz maribou.

Thanks. The hybrid was caught by a rambunctious young'n from my church and the striper was my brother. My brother hasn't fished in 25 years and probably not more than a dozen or so times in his life and that was his first fish of the day. I think he likes fishing a little better now.

Hate to show up late for the party but I just seen this today. I have had a very successful season on the whites, one of the best in recent years. I hope this cold snap doesn't send them too deep. I soak mine in salt water for 24 hours then basically fillet the red meat out then trim any remnants. My family loves the whites. We all like a thicker fillet. To me a crappie is easily overcooked. Don't get me wrong, I do like the spring crappie run and a good crappie fish fry but nothing beats the way a white hammers a jig and takes off. Just a few pics of some white bass first timers I was able to take out on the water this year. Happy New Year everyone.

Niangua 7 mile marker was 64 to 68 Sunday and Monday.

No problem. It is beyond my skills so I took it to Fair Grove Marine over the weekend and he said he will take a look at it this week. Thanks for your help.

Thanks Wrench. I did the compression test just now. I did it the first time just by taking one spark plug out at a time and testing the cylinder with the others still in and I hit the starter 3 times on each cylinder. Each cylinder tested between 120 and 125. Then I read the instructions and it said to take all the spark plugs out and test so I did that and only hit the starter once on each cylinder. I got 89 to 95 on all but one cylinder and it showed a little over 100. Do these sound good? I know they should all be in the same range but I don't know if that is the numbers we are looking for. One of our company mechanics just transferred into my department and he says he has what I need to do the tests you are talking about but I would still need instructions cause he doesn't know anything about outboards. Thanks for your help, I decided to go back to school for some crazy reason and this is finals week. If it takes me a while to respond please don't think I am ignoring your advice, I'm just writing papers.....

Thanks wrench. It is a 4 cylinder 120 horse. I can do the compression check but have never done the ignition output test. Is that something I can do myself? Would it drop like that if it quit sucking up water? I still have water coming out of the telltale.

I have a 97 Force by Mercury. I have no problems with it till a couple weeks ago. My wife and I were out for a ride and we were at full throttle, right at 5,000 and it just seemed like it lost power and dropped to around 4,600 and sounded like it was bogged down. We were low on gas the first time it happened but I have added gas and it didn't help. I use the Stabil for marine in it every time I fill up. Now it won't get over the 4,600 rpm and sounds bogged down all the time. I hav e checked for water in the gas, the fuel filter, and pulled the plugs. I don't know what a fouled plug looks like so I uploaded pictures. Should I be looking at fuel issues? Air issues? Is there a screen in or filter in the tank that could be plugged? It runs smooth at the higher rpm and I haven't noticed anything different at idle either. Thanks in advance for any advice.

That probaby a little out of my price range.

Thanks Duck, I need a 24 volt. Have a goodn

Do you still have this for sale?

We went today. Was great till the front moved thru then they quit. Had 12 in less than an hour then froze and never caught another.

I seem to do better for the whites on chunk rock windy points. Gonna have to try the backs of the coves again, haven't had much luck with that in the past. Bring the boat and enjoy the lake. The weather is looking good and it's the best time of the year for LOZ. I'm going Wed and maybe again Fri.

Yes, when I crossed the 54 bridge and seen glass smooth water I knew we were in trouble. Got a little breeze in the afternoon that helped. Friday will be a crap shoot for sure.

Casting. Mainly main lake windy points and picking up some back in to the back of the coves. Tossing a 1/16 marabou jig in chartreuse or chartreuse, red and white.

Been fishing a few times this fall and haven't posted any reports. Three weeks ago put in at Larry Gale, 2 hours later had my limit. Kinda went downhill from there. Took a guy last Wednesday and only came home with 19 between us. It was really tough that morning but the afternoon was productive. Went yesterday, took my brother in law and we came home with 15. Probably would have done better but the starter quit so once I got it started with the rope we headed in. That was about 2. Overall the fish have some good size to them but I have caught a lot more dinks this year than in the last few, maybe a good sign for the future. New starter tomorrow, taking the wife on Friday. May have to snuggle to stay warm.

Cool. I didn't know there was a ramp at the course. That puts me in the clear at Larry Gale. Thank you.

So, I am taking my wife up fishing on the 18th and am trying to avoid the take off at 8 am. I don't know anything about tournaments other than I don't like getting tied up with them when they are taking off or taking out. Does anyone know what ramp they will be using that morning?

Sounds like fun. Finding the time is the hard part. Shift work puts my time off at odd days and hours.

Referring to jug fishermen as lazy is a personal attack. All in all that is what this boils down to my friend. This forum has taught me a bunch but when you start making those kinds of comments it will go south every time.