So I've got a 5hp Honda 4-stroke 2004... bought it used with a small sailboat about 2 months ago, ran it for about a hour on 2 occaisions... now its carbon fouling plugs (smell like gasoline) - some photos of the plugs are online:<br /> http://www.flickr.com/photos/70962112@N00/sets/1512774/show/ <br /><br />I don't think its oil - its a very dry kind of soot.<br /><br />In general though, this engine's behavior has also been really erratic.<br /><br />About a month ago, tried starting an it barely turned over, and did not respond to the throttle/wouldn't rev up. So I replaced a fouled plug and the engine ran good for about 15 minutes. Went home.<br /><br />Came back a week later and it wouldn't start at all.<br /><br />Came back a week after that and it started right up, ran well for 15 minutes, but then wouldn't restart warm. (This was an issue I had out sailing once and was the start of the troubles)<br /><br />What's the issue? Is the mixture too rich?<br />Should I use a higher temp plug? I am using the Honda recommended plug - the NGK BPR5ES<br /><br />I must add that I was using the original fuel from the previous owner... I imagine its as much as 6 months old.<br /><br />Step 1 will be to try new fuel and a new plug... but any other advice is much appreciated.