Johnson 8hp sea horse 1985 idle diagnostic

[Evinrudej]

Hi everybody I have a 1985 Johnson 8hp sea horse. I purchased it to fix up seller said it hasn’t ran for a few years. Replaced coils and water pump so far and it started up fine within 5 pulls now only takes about 1-2 when cold. My only issue is it only seems to idle down fine when I have the choke fully engaged other wise it will die out with the choke wide open. Occasionally if it doesn’t die out the idle will surge from high to low until I choke it then it idles down fine. I have not checked the carb on this thing yet. I want to try and see if It just needs the low speed adjusted but I can only move the lever so far lean or rich I can’t make a full turn. Should I remove the Black lever from the idle mixture screw in the pic in order to fully turn it 1 1/2? I will
Most likely be cleaning and rebuilding the carb anyways because it does sound like a fuel issue. Fuel pump has not been changed either. Thanks !

 

[Evinrudej]

There’s a pic for reference

 

[Crosbyman]

i think you have a good plan... clean the carb lncl the top idle drip chamber

Should I remove the Black lever from the idle mixture screw in the pic in order to fully turn it 1 1/2?

yes after the carb job... adjust LS with no knob....then install the knob mid-way of it's tr travel range

btw change gear oil and impeller


see pic. from older carbs

 

[Evinrudej]

Ok thank you I was assuming I should set the idle then attach the idle mixture knob back on but I wasn’t too sure. Just changed the impeller and gear oil that’s all good. Thanks again