1998 Mercury Force 120hp pro's/con's

[brentw]

Looking at a boat with a 1998 Mercury Force 120hp. Is this a good engine or is it one to stay away from. Doesn't have alot of hrs on it. Does this motor have alot of mercury parts? How realiable is it compared to a regular merc engine? The powerhead says made by mercuy marine. Any suggestions europeandon? All ive seen in forums is they are junk. Can you still get parts for them? Thanks for any help! It is a premix engine only, never has had oil injection. Don't think it had it when it was new. Thanks

[EuropeanAM]

To ACCURATELY answer these questions, it would be best to have the engine's SERIAL NUMBER.

That being said... the Force engine line shut down in 1999. No longer built.

MOST parts are still readily available at this time.... but there will be a time (probably sooner, rather than later) that parts begin to become "NLA".

If I had the "choice" between a Force and a Mercury of the same year/HP range... wouldn't be much to decide.

[brentw]

The serial # is OF323393 or OE323393. Is looks like it has alot of mercury parts. The lower unit is a mercury unit. The powerhead says mercury marine but it has the 2 carbs (4cyl) like the older force engines. Thanks Don for any imput.

[EuropeanAM]

Serial #0E323393
Model# H120412UD
FORCE 120 ELPT
Manufacture Date: 10/08/97

Force Powerhead, Tillitson Carbs, Mostly Mercury Electronics, Mercury Midsection/Gearcase.

Decent motor, for what it was. Many of them still on the water today (just had one in about a week ago).

[brentw]

Thanks Don! Are they reliable motors? What are they prone to do or what has give them such a bad name? Are they not powerfull? How would this engine be compared to like a merc or mariner 90hp? Thanks

[EuropeanAM]

Provided they're supplied with a CLEAN supply of 50:1 premix... these engines do quite well. Proper maintenance is important.

They were essentially an "entry level" engine... very few bells or whistles. There are still a number of them out there running... it's really not a Mercury or Mariner, however (in terms of durability/dependability).

Pretty strong engine for it's rating, however. Take care of it... and it should provide you with good service.

[ChrisCarsonMarine]

Brentw,I'm right there with Don on this one.They are powerful,light,very simple,reliable motors...kinda sad to see them go.The only real down side over the years was more corrosion in salt water use than the other brands,and they aren't really the commercial duty motor some brands are.I would say go for it,and use its unpopularity as a bargaining tool.
It is the last of the line... West Bend,Chrysler,US Marine,Force,and finally Force by Mercury Marine...,Chris

[brentw]

Thanks for all your reply's!!! You guys are what makes this board top notch!

[brentw]

Can don or sherm give me a mercury part number for the water pump for this motor. I went to mercury's website and typed the serial number in but wouldn't show up under my serial number for some reason. Thanks

[EuropeanAM]

Most cost effective kits:

43026Q06 (Kit WITHOUT housing)
817275A08 (Kit WITH housing)

[streamsaver]

Serial #0E323393
Model# H120412UD
FORCE 120 ELPT
Manufacture Date: 10/08/97

Force Powerhead, Tillitson Carbs, Mostly Mercury Electronics, Mercury Midsection/Gearcase.

Decent motor, for what it was. Many of them still on the water today (just had one in about a week ago).

I hope this is in the right place. I have the same engine. 1998 Mercury Force 120hp ELPT my serial number is 05336545 can you give me info on that serial number, or tell me where to look it up?

[EuropeanAM]

I hope this is in the right place. I have the same engine. 1998 Mercury Force 120hp ELPT my serial number is 05336545 can you give me info on that serial number, or tell me where to look it up?

Welcome to BBC!

Please open your own thread/topic for your separate engine to prevent confusion with the original poster's engine (or thread hi-jacking). Thanks!

Also... might want to check your serial number. Should be: Digit, Letter, Six Digits (example: 0T123456)