Just picked up an 89 formula 311, my first formula and so far I love what I see. Except one thing, it has the 454's in it with edelbrock marine carbs - here's the issue - one engin runs 100% but the other does not. It starts no prob, sounds perfect but with the trottle - it hesitates and gradually goes up (this is in the driveway, never had it in water yet) and it stalls out below 1800 rpm. If I keep the rpm above 1800 it does not stall and runs great. So the symptoms are 1 - it won't idle below 1800 rpm 2 - it has slow reaction to trottle compared to the other engin... I replaced the coil, put fresh fuel (boat did not run for a year) I will change the water sep tomorrow. Any idea if I'm just wasting my time or does it look like I need a carb rebuild ect ?? What are the possibilities ?? (engins / carbs have 100 hrs since repowered in 2006). Any clues or ideas greatly appreciated !!

take the carb off and rebuild it, cost about $35 and take 2 hours if you take your time cleaning it. check plugs maybe tune it up while your at it.

Welcome to storing ethanol fuel for over 6 months. Rebuild or replace the carb before you hit the water.

seen many carbs with a snot looking crap inside from our new government mandated fuel !!! clean the inside of the carb well..should be good to go..

Ok so I replaced the water sep and still the same.... While running it , I look inside only one port is getting fuel - other port has no fuel going ! So I have the carb off now - am I screwed for tomorrow ?? Any way to clean / clear this thing ??? ( without rebuilding ). I got the boat last weekend and haven't tried it !!!! Driving me nuts ! Heres the worst part - nice sunny hot day tomorrow !!! How I wish to have it running . This is all new to me so sorry if these are retarded questions - I'm in the leaning stages ... Thanks again !!

Sounds like rebuild time. Now if you start earlier enough in the morning you should have enough time to disassemble the carb, soak the parts in cleaner, pick up a rebuild kit, and go catch a ride on a buddy's boat. Spend an evening or two this week getting the boat ready for next weekend!

You could try simple troubleshooting by swapping carbs on each motor and see if the problem travels with it to the good motor. Also, check total timing on the problem motor to see if it is retarded/advanced to much. Starting point IMO.

Know what ... Removed the water separator , drained the fuel out and filled it with carb cleaner ... Turned it on for a minute n shut it off, restarted it 1/2 hr later n burned out the balance of the cleaner out... Runs 100 percent , idel speed is 800 rpm without shutting off now . So off we go , do the 45 min trip to the water. Backer in , open the engin hatch n hear water dripping in back ! Pull er back out n I see the rubber bellow that encases the shift cable is busted ... I'm assuming that is my issue ??? Didn't dare run it that way, so I guess the drive will come off this weekend n hope to get er going nxt weekend !?!?