Need help please!!!

[Reel Insane]

So I cleaned my carburetors and before reinstallation cleaned my fuel lines and changed fuel filter. Ran 4 gallons of fresh gas with sea foam through the fuel system at the lake then changed from portable tank to main tank after the four gallons ran through. I can reach top r.p.m.'s and the engine run great and has lots of power. Still having trouble idling. Adjusted idle screw on the water after warm up and got it to idle fine on the water. Brought my boat home to flush the engine after what I thought was a successful run. Started engine and it idles at 1,000 to 1,200 and pops with a little smoke at the end of each pop.

I am all out of ideas.

Also it seems to smoke a little out of the relief port in the rear of the engine. I am not sure if it was because it was chilly on the lake something is not set right. It did seem to clear up after a long run.

Any ideas would be great. I have a fishing trip scheduled the day after Thanksgiving with 1,000 dollars on the line. I tried to take the boat in and everyone is booked slam up until December.

Thanks in advance

Reel Insane

[boats.net]

The popping is a sign of lean running, carbs out of sync, low speed circuit restricted, pilot screws out of adjustment or air leak on intake manifold.

[catface12]

It is not unusual for a motor to run differently when you are flushing it. This is due to a change in back pressure in the exhaust system as the lower unit is not in water. In normal use, the exhaust gas has to move a weight of water out of the way as it exits the engine. On the flushing attachment, this is not present.

If you managed to get the engine idling OK when in the water, I suggest you don't fiddle with anything until you try it in the water again. If it is still OK, problem solved, if not, then investigate further.

Poor idling can be caused by many factors (assuming the fuel supply is clean) such as ignition, air leaks, dirty/partially blocked idle jet, engine and ambient temperature to name but a few.

[Reel Insane]

Sorry about the late reply. I was out of town and finally got back to the boat issue today. I did a little more troubleshooting and found the throttle plates not exactly in sync. I linked and synced the carbs one more time and adjusted the idle. So far runs great on a hose. I am taking the boat back to the lake on Sunday for one last run before a charity fishing tourny on Friday after Thanksgiving. Thanks for all the great advice.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Reel Insane