Reply To: Float on evinrude 3012

[Don]

OK, how about a little history on this engine…Is it new to you? If so, did it ever idle correctly? If not new to you, when was the last time it idled OK? I don’t really think the carb is flooding based on your description, there will always be a few drops of fuel in the carb throat…Fuel isn’t actually dribbling out of the throat after you shut it off, correct? 2/3s of a turn out from seated seems kinda lean for the idle mixture. I suppose you could check your flooding theory but shutting off the fuel supply line then running the engine a bit to see if you can dial it in any better.. Does turning the needle valve in and out seem to make any difference in running guality? It is possible that the packing is leaking air, but that goes directly against what you describe as your fuel mixture adjustment. Is there any chance that the tip of the needle valve is broken off and stuck in the mixing chamber? I don’t think that not having the air silencer attached can affect idle quality this much. Hard to believe the air silencer can be ordered on Amazon, hope you have ordered the correct part?
I guess it is best to start over at this point, with basic checks and adjustments. Have you checked compression? Are you sure it is sparking on both cylinders while running, have you tried new plugs? Just because the plugs might be new, doesn’t mean they are any good. How about the carburetor throttle plate, is it stuck or jammed? Are you sure it is closing fully at idle? There is no way to know if the carb throttle plate is closing correctly unless you remove it and have a look through the back of the carburetor throat. Is the throttle cam adjusted properly? The carb throttle plate should be closed at idle speeds. Is your fuel/oil supply correct, is it fresh with no water?
Does the engine run properly at higher speeds? If so, fully supply issues seem unlikely. Again, it is tough to judge much running the engine in a barrel, where is the high speed needle set at?
Initial carb needle adjustments are: 1.5 turns out from gently seated for low speed (top) needle valve 3/4 turns out from gently seated for high speed/bottom needle…It is best to dial in the high speed needle first before attempting to adjust the low speed needle.