I bought this outboard a little over a week ago and the previous owner started it for me before I bought it. I took it home and the next day couldn't get it started myself with the pull cord. I then tried starting it with a drill and though it took a really long time I finally got it to start up. once it had started and warmed up I could shut it off then restart it with the pull cord no problem. I took it out on the water a few days later and while I did have to drill start it, it ran perfectly and at the end I tested the idle and it idled great all the way at the lowest speed. After this it still wouldn't cold start without a drill so I took the airbox, throttle linkage, and idle screw off and sprayed in some carb cleaner through the drain plug in the bowl. I put everything back together and poured a bit of sea foam in the gas tank. After running it for a while I now have some other problems. Starting it is a bit easier, I can get the pull cord to get it running after sitting cold for 24 hours, but the motor dies once I move the magneto down to start position or lower. It will not idle what so ever. I also have the idle screw as lean as it will go and moving it over to rich causes the engine to die even at full throttle. I have also noticed the spark plugs blackening and lots of white smoke (which I assume is from the sea foam). Please help I have no idea what to do. Am I hurting my motor by running it like this?
