My Uncle and I bought an 89 Ranger Bass Boat with an 89 Merucry Black Max 200 HP on it. The motor ran fine for a good two months, no problems whatsoever. The motor still runs fine at top speed but bogs down a little when trying to plane out and doesn't idle correctly now. It smokes more than it used to now at first start up but then the smoke becomes less after 10 to 15 seconds with my foot on the gas to keep it running. As soon as I let off the hot foot, it idles way down and sometimes shuts off. Whenever I let off the hot foot and put it in gear, it shuts off as load is applied to the motor. Once I get it past idle in gear it runs great (60mph plus). My unlce said the other day he was out in it and it was running fine and as he was headed to the next fishing spot it planed out and then it died. He check the primer bubble and it was soft. He pumped it a few times and it ran fine the rest of the day. He put it on the trailer and took it to his house. He filled the gas tanks on the way home and ever since that day it hasn't idled correctly. We just replaced the spark plugs and it has great fire on all 6 cylinders. I plan on taking the carbs out and cleaning them and maybe setting the idle screws to idle it a little higher. I don't think there is water in the gas. My questions are these. First, what would have made the primer bubble go soft all of a sudden when my unlce was using it? Second, do you think the idle problem is a carb issue and do they need taking out and cleaned?(As far I know hey have never been rebuilt) Third, what would cause the excessive smoking at first start up when it hasn't done this before. Any help and response is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Pressnutt
