Boat motor will not run at the lake

Hello Everyone,

I have a 1971 Johnson 50 Hp engine that has a problem with going to the lake. I purchased the boat several weeks ago and I replaced the plugs and cleaned out the carbs. I tested the engine at home in a 55 gallon drum and the engine ran great, I also put the engine in forward and reverse while in the drum no problems. I took the boat to the lake pulled down the ramp the engine fired up and ran. I put the boat in reverse and the engine went dead. After the engine went dead I cranked it back up with no problems put it in reverse and went dead. I'm thinking the motor might be allerigicy to the lake. Does anyone have any thoughts an what the problem could be? Thanks for any tips or help.
Terry

Re: Boat motor will not run at the lake

your idle speed has to be set in the water, in gear. your idle is too slow.

Re: Boat motor will not run at the lake

tashasdaddy said:

your idle speed has to be set in the water, in gear. your idle is too slow.

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or if by "cleaning the carbs " you mean decarbing the carbs that might be enough.... if you rebuild the carbs then you have a idle problem like tashsdaddy suggested... good luck