1980 88 hp Evinrude stalls at idle

[misterleon]

I just bought a boat with a 1980 88 hp Evinrude. I took it out for the first time about a month ago and it ran great with no problems. A few days ago, the second time I had it out, it would stall unless I moved the lever to high rpms. Every time I started to lower the rpms it would die. Any suggestions as to what it could be? I don't understand since everything was fine before. Thanks.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1980 88 hp Evinrude stalls at idle

Is it firing on all cylinders?
Compression OK?
Fresh fuel mixture?
Have the carbs been overhauled?

 

[misterleon]

Re: 1980 88 hp Evinrude stalls at idle

When it first starts up it seems like they aren't all firing at first. I haven't checked the compression, but I was using fresh fuel and I haven't done anything to the carbs. Could there be a problem with the float?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1980 88 hp Evinrude stalls at idle

I would check the easy stuff first.
Spark should jump a 7/16" air gap and be bright blue.
Compression should be somewhere around 125 or a little higher, but more importantly be within 10% of each other.