[bigp1612]

The evinrude was running pretty rough so I replaced the spark plugs and threw some sea foam in the gas tank. Seemed to work and was working great before it started even worse. Had it out on the water as a kicker engine was purring but then it coughed and stayed that way. It will start but tough to keep it from cutting out when idling. It will rev up in gear but its not smooth and not as much power as previously. If i don't push the choke all the way it will run in idle but its real jerky. If I push the choke in all the way it dies. I replaced the plugs again, but doesn't really help much. The plugs picked up a lot of soot/black even when just running for a few minutes. I'm not a small outboard expert by any means. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Paul Clark

[Rick.]

Not sure about the condition of your gas but if it is fresh then it sounds as though it is time for a thorough carb. cleaning and a new carb. kit. That should make her run well again. I would also suggest you give it a seafoam treatment to burn away the carbon build up. Have a look at the top of this forum in the Top Secret File for directions for both procedures. Best of luck. Rick.

[petryshyn]

Unfortunately, many things can give the same symtoms.

Start with checking the simplest first:

Check for spark at both plugs
Check compression if you have access to a tester

Then as Rick says, clean the carb if the above checks OK

[Lion hunter]

Not that this is the problem with your motor but I have seen alot of kickers that get carboned up. Seems like alot of people run them at slow speeds all the time and never run them at WOT.

[Rick.]

Yes, I'll bet it's carboned up pretty bad. As a matter of habit I always run my motor at wide open at the end of a troll. I just think it makes good sense to heat it up and pour some gas through it and clean the plugs/exhaust a little before shutting it down. Rick.