Force Motor will not stay running

[baseballmanfromIndiana]

Me and my friend were out on the lake one day in our 70hp Force motor from 1991. We were driving around the lake and because the gas gauge didn't work we brought along a 5 gallon gas can. Well the motor died while we were out and we just figured we ran out of gas, so we put more gas in and it fired right up. We decided to call it a day and head in but the next time we tried to use a few weeks later it would not get over 2000 rpm before it would die. Every time it would fire right back up and you can drive it anywhere slowly but if you try to give it some gas it just dies. We later found out that there was almost no gear case fluid in it and what gear case fluid was in there also had water in it. Could the two be related?? The motor was rebuilt 2 years ago but by the previous owner. ANY help would be greatly appreciated

 

[jerryjerry05]

No oil or oil/water mix shouldn't be a problem for starting and running.
Now if the bearings got so corroded it could seize and not turn over?

The not getting past 2000 could be the fuel pump?
Linkage problem?
Exhaust leaking into the cowl?
The vent line clogged?

Do a compression/ spark test.
Check the fuel pump diaphragm.
Run on a second tank. Run without the cowl.