OK, I read thruogh some of the other questions and finally have enough humilty to post my first daunting engine problem.<br /><br />I have 1988 Yamaha 50. When I bought the boat a couple of years ago I switched the 20 gallon under seat fuel tank for two six gallon tanks as the fuel would be easier to keep the fuel fresh here in the desert southwest.<br /><br />Great plan but last spring I was using my wife's van (it's got the trailer hitch) and she had my car, she "removed my car from service" when she thought it was a four way stop sign and it was really a two. Well nobody was hurt, I got a newer used car and didn't use my boat for almost a year.<br /><br />So out at the lake last weekend the motor would start but not run. Got it to run at mid speeds only if I kept toggling the choke. It wouldn't idle at all.<br /><br />Drove home and drained all the fuel, including the three carb bowls, replaced the fuel filter and the spark plugs. The old spark plugs were oily and unburned oil run out of the cylinder about five threads.<br /><br />On the restart she fired right up but with the same symptons (needs choke, no idle). I even blew in some carb cleaning chem tool with no change.<br /><br />The mechanic at the local boat shop thinks it needs a carb rebuild. My wife (ironically we were married in 1988 - thirty five or so years ago) thinks I better start shopping for Christmas and forget about the boat.<br /><br />If it's a carb rebuild can I do it myself? If I wimp out what is a reasonblae for for this rebuild.<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any intelligent comment that can't really worsen an already dismal situation.
Oh, and be sure to use fuel stabilizer in the future.