Starting and running issues

[PensacolaJason]

I'm looking for advice on my outboard issues. I have an 50ph Johnson that just has issues idling and running....always has since I've had it. It's been to three different mechanics in my area and each time I get it back it runs for maybe a day and then I have issues come up again.

Today I ran it on the muffs before taking it out and it idled fine. I was able to get it in and out of gear with no issues. I dropped in the water and it started right up and idled and went into gear. After running for about 100 yards we noticed that it wasn't finding a cruising speed like it should. It would either run really low or you'd have to mash the throttle down and then it would move too fast. Trying to find a nice middle-ground was impossible. It's almost like there is no medium cruising speed at all now. It finally died and then we had trouble getting it started at all. After a while of tooling with it and choking I got it to stay running and on the way back it died twice while trying to find a speed between idle and super-fast.

After I got home I put it back on the muffs and had issues starting and keeping it running. A day later I went out again and now it seems to run just fine on the muffs, so I'm baffled.

Most of the parts on the motor are brand new (fuel pump, head gasket, spark plugs, coils, power pack, starter solenoid, primer solenoid, starter, wiring...). The carbs were just rebuilt and I'm using fresh gas.

Here's the video of my issue - http://youtu.be/dEYyFtmM1TI

 

[racerone]

Did not watch the whole video ( too painful for me ) with all the cranking..-----To me it sounds like it is only running on one cylinder.------Report the results of a compression test.---Check to see if the re is good spark on both cylinders.----On a 1983 motor like that good spark will jump a gap of 7/16" or more.

 

[JDusza]

Sounds like you may have multiple problems. Recommend starting with the basics; compression, spark, fuel and arguably, timing.
Compression should go well as engine runs. You want each cylinders readings to be within 10% of each other.
Ignition spark test is next. Using an air gap spark tester, check each cylinder for spark jumping a 7/16" air gap. You may also want to check for ignition spark leakage by running at night in the driveway with the cover off looking for blue sparks to ground.
Timing should be good as the flywheel and key are intact and you are running. The key's not broken or twisted, right?
Fuel delivery sounds intermittent if you have t play with the choke to get it back to the dock. Fuel pump sounds good as you can run high speed. You can check it easily enough by disconnecting it from the carb, wrapping the fuel line with a rag and turning over the starter. Fuel should be pumped into the rag. Sounds to me like your carburetor jets need to be verified clean. Who did the carb rebuild and what exactly did they do?
I know you said you are using fresh gas. Just be sure you are not putting fresh gas over old contaminated gas and water. Water sinks and tanks feed from the bottom. Be sure your tank and fuel lines are clear of water.
I think you may have both spark and fuel delivery problems.
J