Expert: Jeff Grigg - 2/10/2008

Question
Hello. I have an old chrysler 10hp outboard motor and its has been running great up until today. I was going up and down a local river and went into a dead lake, fished some, and headed out. But when I tried to crank up (pullstart) to leave, it started first time (NEVER done that before) but when I gave it a considerable amount of gas, it would run fine, then get slower and try to idle, than run fine again...and it repeated this pattern the whole time i gave it that gas, even when it was opened up all the way. You could call it surging, or even leaping. I tried everything to get it to stabalise, but it continued to do it. So what in the world is going on?

Thanks,
undermississippiskies@yahoo.com

Answer
I would guess just from your description you may have a fuel problem, possibly some trash or gumming in the carb. Either take it it to the shop or get a complete carb kits and rebuild the carb. Also check all of your fuel lines for any leakage or dry rot cracks or deterioration. If you can rub black off the lines they are worse inside, replace them.
Jeff