Can't get 1973 50 hp Evinrude to idle?

Question

Just replaced needle and seat on 1973 Evinrude 50 hp. Will still not idle unless warm-up lever is all the way up. It dies when I let the warm up lever down. Also can also start it if I manually open the throttle on the engine itself. HELP!

Answer 1

If after adjusting your carbs and it still doesnt idle then I am afraid your pistons are wore. You can do a compression check but even if it reads good that doesnt mean they are good under the rings. The only way to tell is to tear it down.

I hope adjusting your carbs fixes it. Good luck

Answer 2

First thing to do is adjust the slow speed mixture s***w:

Before you start the engine, s***w the needle valve in until it seats gently, then turn it out one and a half turns.

Start the engine and use the hi-idle lever to adjust the RPMs where it will just stay running. Then start turning the needle valve in 1/8 turn at a time, pausing to let the engine respond. As you turn the valve in, RPM's will increase. Each time, lower the hi-idle lever to just keep the engine running.

Eventually you'll hit a point where the engine will start to die or spit back - at that point, back the s***w out 1/4 turn. You'll find the smoothest running somewhere in that last 1/4 turn.

Once it's set, you won't need to change it until the carb requires rebuilding again.

Can't warm start without opening the throttle suggests a flooded engine.

Describe your cold start and warm start procedures.