Just took ownership of a 1975 85HP Johnson (85ESL75). The first three outings, the motor started, idled and ran great. I added fuel/oil (89 octane/50:1 gas/oil mix (12 gal. gas/1Qt oil)). When I launched the craft for outing #4, it started okay (after chokeing and raising the start lever) but after lowering the start lever, the idle sounded slow and rough. Everytime I put it in reverse to clear the ramp, the engine died. I winched it out and brought it home. After connecting the ear muffs with running hose water, I had to turn the idle screw all the way in to keep the engine running while shifting into either gear. I was able to rev it slightly in forward and reverse and it seemed smooth. <br /><br />I returned to the slip and now with the motor in the water the same stalling occurred (still with the idle screw all the way in). I pulled all the plugs and they were a little wet but all had tan insulators and not gunked up. The engine was well maintained before I got it<br /><br />Any thoughts/suggestions as to common causes for these symptoms on these engines?<br /><br />Thanks!
