Expert: Everett Peacock - 3/17/2008

Question
I just bought a 1983 Skeeter with a Johnson 140 VRO.  The first time a put it in the water, it wouldn't idle and had a miss.  I tried to run it and before it plained out, it cut off and would not idle the rest of the day so I took it to a shop.  They said the problem was the carbs needed to be cleaned.  They did it and said it was running perfect.  I just got it back and took it out the other day.  Started up perfect and idled fine in the No Wake zone.  Once we took off and plained out, 30 seconds later, it cut off.  Then it would only idle for like 30 seconds before cutting off again.  We took it back to the shop and they adjusted the idle because they said it was too low and told us to check the fuel screen and add oil straight to the gas and give it a try.  I have not tested it out but I don't think this is going to work.  PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!
Thanks!

Answer
When you get try to get on plane, try hitting the choke while it is trying to die.  If it tries to keep running at that point, Sounds like the main jets are clogged. It is possible that when they cleaned the carbs another piece of varnish is floating around.

As for the oil, any time you get a used engine, you want to mix the gas with fuel and mark the oil level in the tank, check it after some use to make sure the VRO is working. Then go back to no oil in gas.