Bogging down and stalling ONLY at idle

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Bogging down and stalling ONLY at idle

It's at the mechanic right now to look at the u-joints so I can't mess with it at the moment. It's interesting to note that some of the time when starting the engine, it started at the correct idle rpm (600), then over the next 5-10 seconds rose to 850rpm. From what I see, that is a classic sign of a vacuum leak. That's why I'm curious if a vacuum leak would only cause issues in neutral. When shifting into gear on the water, it drops to 600rpm and runs great. I'd leave it exactly how it is, but shifting from 850rpm is noticeably harder on the clutch system and I don't want to cause damage down the road.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Bogging down and stalling ONLY at idle

I think you guys were right in guessing that it was a carb mixture issue. When I picked it up from the mechanic, he hadn't gotten to the carb but I started it up with him really quick so he could hear it. Right away he said it's running too lean.

We then noticed that the carb has been messed with before. The 4 fuel bowl bolts have the red paint stripped off of them, indicating it has been removed at some point. Also, the starboard side idle mixture screw cover/cap has been removed. So someone adjusted 1 mixture screw but not the other. I have never heard of a reason to do that. The mechanic gave that screw a couple turns towards the rich side, and it idled much much better. I think a proper carb adjustment is in order since it's been tampered with but I have no record of what was done.