50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

I have a 1996 50hp with good compression, cleaned carburetors, and a slow idle. It dies while in the water in gear as I approach the dock, very annoying.
I have the idle adjustment screw screwed all the way down (in) against the lock nut. The idle mixture screws were set at 3.5 turns out then adjusted in for the fastest smoothest idle (about 2 turns out.) I checked the timing out of the water (it does idle OK out of the water with the ears on) and it is right on 4 degrees before TDC.
Any help would be appreciated. I have read the manual and it doesn't say anything about this situation. I am wondering if something is badly worn or loose somewhere I can't see, that is causing the adjustment to be used up.
Attached is a photo of the starboard side of the engine.

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Did you disconnect your throttle cable before making the changes? You should have. Then when everything is right you adjust the cable to the knob and re-attach it. I have a 95 40HP and boy does yours ever look similar. Best of luck. Rick.

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Yes, I did disconnect the throttle cable then adjusted the throttle cable to match the hole in the lever arm.
Not sure what to do.

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

What is your idle speed, 650-700 in gear in the water?

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Tach is broken I have one on the way. I haven't had this motor for very long, a month or so.
i was rereading the manual and I think it should be 4 degrees BTC and mine is 4 degrees ATC. But it won't idle with less advance.

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Have you ever decarbed this motor? Clean those boogers out.....!

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Yes, the first thing I did was take them off, apart, cleaned, blew out. Checked the needle and seat, checked the idle mixture needle screw. All looks clean, passages blew carb cleaner and air fine. If you guys think it must be carb related, I will take them off again and go through them again.

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Please do a search on decarb .........or see the sticky's on this forum..... We all must learn, and over the years we have came up with these sticky's..to help in most FWQ's on this forum.

Re: 50hp 1996 Evinrude slow idle

Sorry, I was thinking carburetor when I saw decarb. Yes, I have decarbed the motor with Seafoam. Did that a month ago, made no difference. Changed the plugs after the decarb.