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My 1995 Johnson 50 HP motor just had a slight overhaul. The oil pump was failing so I had it converted to fuel/oil mix. during the conversion the tech noticed that I didn't have spark to one of the three cylinders, so he replaced power pack and cleaned all terminals to other cylinders. Motor was still running rough so he drained all carburetors. He said they were filled with oil from the failing oil pump. I took the boat back and it ran well and smoked less than it has since I've owned it. The following weekend I took it out, and it was very hard starting. Once I got it running, I throttled down a little, and it smoothed out. I ran 3/4 throttle, then full, then backed off, and it seemed to run well. Then I had to slow up in a no wake zone, and at idle speed it died. Then it was hard to start again. Once started, I got back to the ramp with no trouble and figured it was ok.

That was last week. This morning, I launched the boat, and it started quite easily. I advanced the throttle to warm it up a bit, then when I backed off to idle, it died again. It will start right up, idle to about 1000, then drop suddenly to 500 rpm and die. I got it started and throtted down, and was able to get it to start moving, albeit very rough. Then, all of a sudden it would kick in and start to speed up and smooth out. It runs flawless at above 1500 rpm, and the biggest issue seems to be start up and at idle. Plugs look good, compression seems fine (without numbers), and fuel is fresh and treated with seafoam. Could the carbs need to be cleaned do to the over-oiling while the pump was going? Any ideas would be great.