97 model yr Force 40hp. Best I can tell is the insulation on my cowling drooped and caused enough friction on the plastic cap over the nut on the flywheel to melt it off. Strange that there's no mark on the insulation but glued it back. Long story short I found the top of the cap on the butterfly in the carb after trolling back to the ramp. Took it home, wiped out the carb and she fired up. I ended up doing a few minor adjustments to the throttle cam, but all seemed good. Took her out this past weekend and it started fine but had nothing with a load on the prop. Full throttle won't push it past 3k when it's normally at 5100 or so. I've reset the throttle cam(mark just touching the butterfly arm) Pulled the carb and adapter (reeds and reed plates are clean and tight) found a little fine debris in carb bowl, but all appears to be good, fuel filter isn't clogged. It will fire but won't start unless I give it about 1/2 throttle. Dies immediately when I put it back in neutral. Pumping the bulb doesn't seem to change anything. I can adjust the throttle and it acts like it would run the tank dry. I've had muffs on and eased up through the throttle to about 4000-4500 with prop engaged and disengaged, but she won't do that pushing the boat. I'm much more familiar with car motors, this feels like a fuel issue, but I'm not sure what to check next on an outboard.
