I've got a post running about my 1988 yamaha 175 that has an idle problem. I'm beginning to think maybe it's just old gas. But here's my question. How old is too old? What are the symtoms of running old gas in a motor? I ran my boat today after cleaning the carbs and doing a link/sync by the book. It started well, warmed up(idled smooth), ran strong, made the rpm and speeds it should( after minimal tweeking) but after about 20 minutes of running and checking it wouldn't hardly idle again. I had put on a new filter/water seperator before running, and the screen on the side of the motor is spotless again. So, when fuel is old what happens to it? Will it gel up or shelac past the filter as it's going through the carbs? I honestly can't see how the fuel getting to the engine is not clean, but if it's the actual chemical breakdown of the fuel then I gotta drain it. Anymore suggestion? Anyone know of a cheap electric fuel pump to pump out a tank?